There is a Metro Council Meeting at 6:30 pm. An agenda has been provided, and you can watch the meeting live via channel 3 or stream live on your electronic devices. Also, please do not respond to this email... You can reach me at [email protected].

Tonight's Meeting Preview

Here are a few highlights we'll discuss tonight:

• NES Leadership & Winter Storm Response: We will consider resolutions related to Nashville Electric Service leadership and the utility's response to Winter Storm Fern.
• Eviction Right-to-Counsel Program: Legislation would establish a citywide program to provide legal representation for qualifying tenants facing eviction proceedings.
• Metro Workforce Needs: Several bills would create new positions across Metro departments to support public safety, behavioral health, water services, historic zoning, and other government operations.
• Looking Ahead: Council and committees are also beginning discussions on topics such as data center regulations and long-term infrastructure planning that may shape future zoning legislation.

Budget Season Has Begun: A Look at the Mayor's Proposed FY2027 Budget

I've reviewed this budget with a comparison lens, looking back at our most recent two city budgets.

One of the most important responsibilities of the Metro Council each year is reviewing and adopting Nashville's annual budget. The Mayor has now submitted the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget (BL2026-1377), and over the next several weeks, Councilmembers will begin the detailed work of reviewing department requests, evaluating spending priorities, hearing feedback from residents, and considering possible changes before a final vote at the end of the month.

It is important to remember that the budget currently before us is the administration's proposal. The Metro Council now begins its review process, and the final substitute budget adopted by Council may look different from what was initially submitted.

The proposed budget totals approximately $3.85 billion. Several themes emerge throughout the proposal, including affordability, housing, education, employee compensation, and the maintenance of core city services.

Affordability and Tax Relief

One of the most discussed elements of the proposed budget is a reduction in the local grocery tax rate from 2.25% to 1.75%.

Supporters argue that reducing the grocery tax would provide relief to households facing higher costs for everyday necessities. Others have questioned whether those revenues could be better utilized through targeted investments in services, infrastructure, neighborhood improvements, or housing initiatives.

As we continue our budget review, this proposal will likely generate significant discussion regarding both its benefits and its long-term fiscal impacts.

Housing Investments

Housing continues to be one of Nashville's most pressing challenges. Most recently, the mayor released his Unified Housing strategy (UHS). You can see many of the elements presented in the budget from this study. Also, Metro Social Services shared their finding from their annual Community Needs Evaluation, highlighting housing as one of the major needs from an affordability standpoint in the Black Nashville community.

The administration proposes approximately:

• $69 million toward the Unified Housing Strategy
• $22 million for the Barnes Affordable Housing Trust Fund 
  • The UHS recommends we fund in annual intervals starting at $30 million in year one and increasing to a steady fund of $55 million in year 5.

For comparison:

While many agree that housing affordability remains a critical issue, questions remain about how these funds would be allocated, which housing strategies will receive priority, and whether the proposed investments adequately address the needs of working families, seniors, and long-time residents facing increasing housing costs.

During tonight's public hearing, I'm preparing to hear strong, researched, and studied alternatives to housing from the Nashville People's Budget Coalition. They have a plan to invest $25 million ($10 million to housing) on restructuring the mayor's proposal to include securing bonds for long-term affordable housing.

Public Education

Metro Nashville Public Schools remains the largest single area of spending within Metro's budget (37.4 % or $1.448 billion)

The proposal includes additional funding for MNPS to support compensation initiatives, operational costs, and other district priorities. Education continues to represent one of Metro's most significant investments, and Council will carefully review how proposed funding levels align with the district's needs and long-term goals.

Public Safety and Core Services

The proposed budget maintains significant investments in public safety services, including police, fire, emergency communications, and emergency preparedness.

Compared to some previous budgets, this year's proposal appears more focused on sustaining existing services rather than major expansions. The Sheriff's Office is also proposed to receive additional funding due to increasing operational costs and population pressures within the correctional system.

Metro Employees

The proposed budget continues investments in Metro employee compensation and retention.

Like many employers, Metro has faced workforce recruitment and retention challenges in recent years. The administration proposes continuing support for employee compensation initiatives, which we will review alongside other competing priorities throughout the budget process.

A Different Fiscal Environment

This budget arrives at a different moment than many of the budgets adopted over the past several years.

Federal COVID-19 pandemic recovery funding has largely expired, inflation continues to affect operating costs, and revenue growth has begun to moderate. As a result, many budget conversations this year will focus on balancing community needs (mostly housing) with long-term fiscal sustainability.

The challenge before the council is not simply determining what programs or projects are desirable, but evaluating how limited resources can best serve residents across Nashville and Davidson County.

What Happens Next?

The budget process is only beginning.

The final budget adopted by Council should reflect the needs and concerns of Nashville's residents. Following our public hearing and debate tonight, we will be presented with the Chair's substitute. That will be debated over the coming weeks, and we are prepared to approve a budget by the close of June.

As I review the proposed budget, I will continue asking questions, listening to community feedback, and looking for opportunities to ensure that our city's investments align with the needs of our neighborhoods.

I encourage you to stay engaged throughout the process. Budget decisions affect every Nashville resident, and public input remains an important part of shaping the final product.

FY2027 Budget At a Glance

The proposed FY2027 operating budget totals approximately $3.85 billion, making it slightly larger than FY2026's adopted budget of roughly $3.8 billion.

Where the Money Goes

Where the Money Comes From

Previous Budget Philosophy Comparison

What I've been up to:

• Toddler P is in the WHY stage... He asks why about EVERYTHING!!! It's cute, though. He is also big into his "boundary testing phase." We're having some fun conversations about why you don't jump off the back of the couch!
• I got a new Job!! I've been telling you how demanding work has been, specifically with travel. Now, I'm happy to be back with a local team and doing much less travel. I hope this allows me to see you a lot more now!
• My Nation's Neighborhood, a sliver of land -- I've been working with a development team on a proposed use for the land where the Nation's Silo sits. They will be taking their proposal to Metro Planning on June 11, and then I will be hosting a community meeting shortly afterwards. I'd like to hear the recommendations from Planning Staff before the meeting.
• Alley clean up -- I've received several calls and notes about alleys and illegal dumping. I'm working with NDOT, Codes, and MNPD regarding these matters. We're hopeful to find more solutions soon.
• Metro Council Reduction: Any day now, I'm waiting to hear the decision from the State Supreme Court regarding reducing the council from 40 to 20. Once I hear something, I'll relay the information to you.
• I've been in meetings regarding finding land for a new Hadley Park Library. We are close, and I hope to have an update soon.

What's Happening Tonight:  

The Budget -- We discussed this at the top.

RS2026 - 1801 - A resolution urging the Electric Power Board of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County to terminate the employment of Teresa Broyles-Aplin as Chief Executive Officer of Nashville Electric Service.

RS2026 - 1954 - A resolution expressing a lack of confidence in the performance and leadership of Electric Power Board of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County for its failures during Winter Storm Fern.

RS2026 - 2012 (Taylor) - A resolution approving an in-kind grant from the Nashville Parks Foundation, contingent on availability of funds, to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation, to fund renovations and improvements at the Elizabeth Senior Center, including more food prep space, updating kitchen appliances, and making the kitchen safer and more functional.

RS2026 - 2020 (Taylor) -A resolution approving an application for a Healthy Built Environment grant from the Tennessee Department of Health to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT), to assist in funding the Jefferson Street Corridor Tactical Urbanism Project to facilitate environment improvements along Jefferson Street between Rosa Parks Boulevard and 28th Avenue North and promote pedestrian safety by providing pedestrian plaza areas and mid-block crossing enhancements.

RS2026 - 2027 - A resolution recognizing Nashville Soccer Club's 100th all-time victory as a Major League Soccer club and the 100th goal that Hany Mukhtar has scored with the team.

BL2026 - 1382 - An ordinance to amend Title 2 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws to create a new chapter establishing an eviction right to counsel program to be administered by the Housing Division of the Department of Planning.

BL2026 - 1379 - An ordinance creating the positions of Automotive Mechanic 2; Behavioral Health Counselor 2; Equipment Inventory Leader; Equipment Mechanic 2; Fire Arson Investigator 1; Historic Zoning Administrator; HRIS Compliance Tech 2; Police Security Guard Supervisor; Pre-Trial Housing Cook; Pre-Trial Housing Facilities Asst Manager; Pre-Trial Housing Facilities Manager; Pre-Trial Housing Kitchen Supervisor; Pre-Trial Housing Officer; Pre-Trial Housing Officer Supervisor; Pumping Station Superintendent; Security Guard 2; and, Waste Services Administrator.

BL2026 - 1391 - An ordinance amending Title 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, to add various new data center uses and related definitions and conditions to the Zoning Code

Upcoming Meetings:

No meetings schedule

I invite all District 21 residents to reach out to me directly with any information or concerns in our community. Email is the best form of communication, but I invite you to call me as well. My contact information is below.

Contact information: Email - [email protected] / Phone: 615.946.9700

Best regards,

Brandon