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Council approves police labor contract; clerk treasurer warns of multimillion-dollar gap
Summary
Clarksville approved a new Fraternal Order of Police contract for 2025–2027 and related ordinance amendments. Clerk Treasurer Stonecipher estimated a roughly $1.9 million net increase over 36 months and urged contact with state legislators over Senate Bill 1.
Clarksville’s Town Council on Dec. 2 approved a labor contract with the Fraternal Order of Police that covers calendar years 2025 through 2027, including changes to salary, longevity, rank differential and military leave.
"With the approval of the new labor contract with the Fraternal Order of Police, it is necessary to amend the fiscal year 2025 salary ordinance as it relates to police officers," a staff presentation said. Councilwoman Schiller moved to approve the contract; Councilman McEwen seconded. The motion passed with five in favor and one abstention. "Councilwoman Henderson has to abstain this evening because her husband is a retired police officer," the council president announced.
Clerk Treasurer Stonecipher briefed the council on budget implications, saying Senate Bill 1 was creating a revenue squeeze while the new contract increases costs. "Senate Bill 1, looks to cut, the police budget over the next 36 months by 22%." He then estimated the cost of the package as a "net new increase of 1,900,000 over the next 36 months," and urged council members to contact state legislators and consider local options if the state changes take effect.
Stonecipher warned that, absent state action or local revenue changes, the town may need to consider staffing reductions or new local taxes. "We're going to need to seriously discuss reduction in force in addition to new local taxes, in order to make sure that we don't end up… not being able to fulfill this contract that we've agreed to tonight," he said.
The council also moved to amend the FY2025 salary ordinance to implement the contract changes and approved the ordinance on both first and second readings the same night. The clerk-treasurer and staff noted that funding is expected to come from the general fund and utility sources as appropriate, and that staff will return with more detailed budget options.
The council did not adopt a specific financing plan during the meeting; Stonecipher characterized his $1.9 million figure as an estimate and said the town will provide more detailed numbers in forthcoming reports.
