Crossville City Council approved the city’s 2025–2026 fiscal year budget during a special-called meeting on Tuesday. The $36.1 million budget passed with a 3–2 vote and does not include a property tax increase. The tax rate will remain at .6059 per $100 of assessed value.
The approved budget projects approximately $36.5 million in general fund revenue. It includes funding for several capital projects, such as $1.4 million to remodel Fire Station One and $2.6 million to construct a second fire station.
During the meeting, some council members expressed concern over the lack of direct presentations from department heads during the budgeting process. Councilman Mark Fox suggested the council consider hearing from department leaders in future years to better understand departmental priorities.
A major point of discussion involved funding for local nonprofit organizations. Council members James Mayberry and Mike Turner both advocated for restoring last-minute cuts to several agencies. Turner proposed increasing the Fair Park Senior Center’s allocation from $15,000 to $20,000, while Mayberry sought to reinstate funding for groups such as Hospice, the Avalon Center, and the VORP Mediation Center.
Mayor R.J. Crawford noted that many of these agencies serve the broader county, not just the city, and said the city should work in partnership with the county to support them. He also cited a desire to keep total nonprofit contributions lower than in past years, when funding approached $400,000.
The final budget includes approximately $2.8 million in outside agency funding, with $2.3 million allocated to the YMCA Recreation Center project through the City’s Sports Authority. An amendment to restore $15,000 in donations did not pass, and the budget was approved as originally presented, with yes votes from Crawford, Fox, and Councilman Art Gernt.
In other business, the council approved a first reading to abandon a portion of right-of-way on Livingston Road, near the Crossville Church of Christ. City Manager Valerie Hale said the current road veers to the right, and the change would straighten the roadway for improved safety.