By Angela Hatton
Clarksville, TN – The mayor of Clarksville is pushing for an employee pay-raise, despite a projected $4.5 million shortfall in next year's budget. Mayor Johnny Piper also proposes no tax increase. The suggested 2010-2011 budget is $71.5 million, only one hundred thousand dollars less than what was budgeted last year. The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle reports the city will likely draw from reserves to cover the deficit. Piper expects any shortfall will be alleviated next year following the results of the 2010 Census. Officials estimate Clarksville's population has increased by thirty thousand, meaning three million dollars more in federal funding.