Last Edited: April 20, 2022 @ 1:38 pm

Montgomery County, TN — The Montgomery County Parks Department is asking the community to consider dedicating the gift of a tree now through January 31, 2022, for the beautification of the entryway at Richellen Park. 

The trees for this project are four to five-foot Thuja Green Giant evergreens which can be sponsored for $125 per tree. The cost covers the purchase, planting, and dedication plaque for the tree. These trees will be provided at a drastically reduced cost from Larry’s Nursery, a locally owned business. They are limited to just over 200 trees and will only be sold while they are available.

Each winter the County Parks Department tackles projects throughout park properties to enhance the beauty and functionality for the coming year. One of the opportunities for improvement identified this year, was replacing the pole and chain system lining the driveway of RichEllen Park with evergreen trees. The system has been a maintenance challenge since the construction of the park with recent damage sustained from vehicles. 

“Replacing the chain link with trees creates a more beautiful entrance as well as a reduction in maintenance costs and burden on the staff. Since the trees were not budgeted for this fiscal year, allowing individuals to sponsor trees creates community engagement,” said Montgomery County Parks Director Sally Burchett.

A Tree Dedication Ceremony will be held at RichEllen Park on Tennessee Tree Day, March 19 at 11 a.m. for individuals to place their marker at a tree they sponsored.

“This could be the perfect Christmas present for the family member who has everything. I’m purchasing a couple myself for this very reason. I would love to be able to expand this across multiple Montgomery County Parks properties over the next few years,” added Burchett.

Trees provide a lasting legacy and are a meaningful contribution towards beauty and clean air. For more information about this project, visit www.mcgtn.org/parks/trees or call (931) 648-5732.

Last Edited: July 19, 2022 @ 9:45 am

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Animal Care and Control Director David Kaske are asking for the community’s help this Christmas season. Each year, Montgomery County Animal Care and Control, along with other shelters across the United States, receives a high intake of puppies from January through March. The intake comes from well-intentioned individuals who want to give their children, spouse, or friend a puppy for Christmas. 

Kaske advises people to take their time and think about the commitment before jumping in and buying a new household pet, no matter how much begging takes place.

“Shelters generally see up to a 50% increase in puppies and returned adoptions in January and February compared to other times of the year. If you understand the commitment it takes to bring a pet into your family and you are determined to have a new pet in your home over the Christmas season, we highly encourage everyone to adopt and not to shop. We have many pets right here at our local shelter ready for a great home,” said Kaske. 

During this time of year, people often seek new pets through social media, in pet stores, and from breeders. Kaske asks that people do their research to make a wise and informed long-term decision before bringing a new pet home during the holiday season.

Here is some helpful information and questions to consider before adopting:

1. Most dogs and cats live between 10-25 years depending on the breed and species. Are you ready for that length of a commitment?
2. Dogs and cats can cost between $500 to $1,500 per year to maintain including regular vet visits, food, toys, etc. Pets with preexisting conditions can cost even more. All pets come with financial responsibilities.
3. Pets need to be cared for daily. Owning a pet means the pet needs to be fed daily, given water, walked, let outside, and given attention.
4. Discuss taking on a pet with the entire family and make the decision together as a gifting experience to ensure the pet has a long-lasting loving home. Owning a pet is a family duty and requires everyone to be on the same page.
5. Ensure those who will be around the pet often are not allergic or afraid of animals.
6. Families with small children should take time to assess whether owning a pet is the best decision at this time. Small children should be supervised around pets at all times.
7. We strongly discourage adopting a pet as a Christmas gift. In many instances the intent is good but the person receiving the gift may not be ready, able, or willing to take on a “surprise” gift.  
8. Lastly and most importantly, give your newly adopted pet time to acclimate to your family and home. Far too often, pets are returned after just a few days because pet owners are not patient in allowing the pet to become part of the family.

Kaske advises, “I like to tell people to remember the Three Dog Rule: three days for a pet to decompress and begin eating and drinking, three weeks for a pet to settle in, figure out the environment and start to develop a routine, and three months for a pet to feel comfortable in the home and create a bond.” 

For information on Montgomery County Animal Care and Control, visit mcgtn.org.

Last Edited: April 20, 2022 @ 1:38 pm

Montgomery County, TN — Montgomery County Government offices will close Wednesday, Dec. 22 at noon and will be closed Thursday, Dec. 23, Friday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 31 2021, in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

County Offices will be open to the public during normal operating hours all other days of the work week through the holiday season.

For information on Montgomery County Government, and services offered online, visit mcgtn.org.

Last Edited: April 20, 2022 @ 1:39 pm

Montgomery County and the City of Clarksville team up to assist taxpayers

CLARKSVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Trustee’s Office and the City of Clarksville are partnering for the second consecutive year during the tax season to simplify the process for a tax freeze, tax relief recipients, and taxpayers who would like to pay their county and city taxes in one location.  

The City will have a representative in the County Trustee’s office each Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Montgomery County Trustee Office beginning Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021, thru Feb. 24, 2022. The city representative will be able to accept vouchers, proof of income, and process payments if applicable. This partnership eliminates the need for taxpayers residing in the city limits and receiving tax relief to also visit the City Revenue Office at 1 Public Square. 

“We are pleased to partner with the City of Clarksville again for the convenience of our residents. We understand some residents are hesitant to leave their homes. We want to be as accommodating as possible while helping people to retain their tax benefits. Our hope is that meeting the taxpayers’ needs in one location will be beneficial and help those who are most vulnerable in Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins. 

The Trustee Office is located at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 101-B in Veteran’s Plaza. To see all available services, including paying taxes online, through the County Trustee office, visit mcgtn.org/trustee or call 931-648-5717 with questions. Residents can also pay City taxes at the North Clarksville location at 111Cunningham Lane. To see the services offered through the City Revenue Office, visit cityofclarksville.com.

Last Edited: July 19, 2022 @ 9:45 am

Montgomery County, Tenn. – November 17, 2021 – In August of 2021, Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins was elected as the President of the Middle Tennessee Trustee’s Association (MTTA). This week, she held her first meeting in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

Wiggins has been very involved in the MTTA since being elected into her position as Montgomery County Trustee and in 2020 she held the position of Vice President. “I am honored my peers have entrusted me to lead our organization,” said Wiggins. The MTTA is comprised of 36 counties.

What is a trustee? 

Kimberly Wiggins is Montgomery County’s Trustee with three primary functions: collecting all county property taxes, keeping a fair account of all money received & investing temporary idle funds. The Trustee generally acts as treasurer for the county. Her office also administers the State-Funded Tax Relief Program to help the elderly & disabled citizens and a segment of Disabled veterans to pay their property taxes, collects the hotel/motel occupancy tax, rabies payments from veterinarians, and the wheel tax rebate program for the elderly. 

About Kimberly Wiggins

Kimberly is immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Clarksville, is a graduate of Rotary Leadership Institute, is a Paul Harris Fellow Plus 2, and is a member of the Paul Harris Society as a sustaining donor. Wiggins graduated with her Master of Business Administration in 2011. 

She also serves her community by serving on the following boards: Clarksville Rotary,

Wade Bourne Nature Center Foundation, Blue Star Families, President of APSU’s Center of Excellence for Creative Arts, Roxy Regional Theatre, TN Association of Property Tax Professionals & serves as President for Middle TN Trustee Association. 

She is married to her business partner, O’Neal Wiggins, U.S. Army Retired Master Sergeant, who founded Wiggins Medical Transit. 

She’s a graduate of Leadership Middle TN, Leadership Clarksville & Leadership Clarksville- Montgomery County Schools. Kimberly is a member of St. Bethlehem Christian Church, Clergy Rapid Mobilization Team, TN County Trustee Association, County Officials Association of Tennessee, and the TN Association of Property Tax Professionals. 

Kimberly is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Clarksville Alumnae Chapter & The Music Chapter of The Links Incorporated. 

Wiggins was elected Montgomery County Trustee in August 2018.