Metropolitan Council Meeting - June 17, 2025: FY2026 Budget Adoption and Other Actions

The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Historic Metro Courthouse. The most consequential item was the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget and associated tax levy after extensive debate and multiple amendments. The meeting also included confirmation of appointments, public comment, adoption of pay plans for municipal employees, approval of grant resolutions, and several zoning and infrastructure ordinances.

Consent Calendar

• Approved all items on the Consent Agenda unanimously by a vote of 34-0-0, after Council Member Benton removed resolution RS2025-1309 (amendment to grant contracts for out-of-school programs through Nashville After Zone Alliance) for separate consideration. The Consent Agenda included:
  • RS2025-1218 (certified tax rate)
  • RS2025-1220 (interfund tax anticipation notes, $158 million)
  • RS2025-1296 and RS2025-1297 (grants for Financial Empowerment Center)
  • RS2025-1298 (Safe Baby Court grant)
  • RS2025-1299 (Community Correction Services grant)
  • RS2025-1300 ($17.8 million from General Fund Reserve for equipment and repairs)
  • RS2025-1302 (amendments to Emergency Rental Assistance Eviction Prevention Program grant)
  • RS2025-1303 (deadline extension for Contract and Compliance Board)
  • RS2025-1304 (Third Amendment to Lease Agreement at 1281 Murfreesboro Pike)
  • RS2025-1305, RS2025-1306, RS2025-1307 (cooperative purchasing agreements for maintenance supplies, street sweepers, tree maintenance equipment)
  • RS2025-1308 (amendment to Viral Hepatitis Program Services grant)
  • RS2025-1310 (Friends of Warner Parks grant for improvements)
  • RS2025-1311 and RS2025-1312 (Friends of Shelby Park grants for summer enrichment buses and signage/invasive plant management)
  • RS2025-1313 (Middle Tennessee Pony Club grant for grass riding surface at Percy Warner Park)
  • RS2025-1314 (grant for Fatality Review Team staffing)
  • RS2025-1315 (amendment to VOCA grant for additional MNPD staffing)
  • RS2025-1316 (settlement of personal injury claim in amount of $157,165.44)
  • RS2025-1317 (acceptance of public water/sewer infrastructure at Earhart Road)
  • RS2025-1318 through RS2025-1321 (recognitions: Stonewall Uprising, Obergefell v. Hodges anniversary, Juneteenth, HIV Testing Day)
  • Bills on second reading: BL2025-847 (revised organizational plan for Public Health Department), BL2025-848 (agreement with Ascension Saint Thomas EMT training), BL2025-849 (amendment to fire medical billing contract), BL2025-850 through BL2025-859 (various stormwater and sewer infrastructure projects)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Paula Pendergrass (President, Metropolitan Nashville Education Association) expressed full support for Council Member Porterfield's substitute budget, urging the council to reject cuts to MNPS funding of $54.4 million.
• Jessica Stewart (President, SEIU Local 205, representing Metro General and MNPS employees) requested a yes vote on the substitute budget and rejection of any amendments cutting MNPS funding, noting that such cuts would jeopardize employee COLAs and summer programs.
• Frida Player (Chair, MNPS School Board) stated that MNPS did not request additional funds beyond the mayor's allocation and Porterfield's substitute, and that the district is making record gains within its means.
• Millie Peterson (recent MNPS graduate) spoke in support of Porterfield's budget, emphasizing that cuts would harm vulnerable students and that better education is linked to lower poverty.
• Kristen Sterling (representing Moms Demand Action) supported Amendment 2 to fund a gun dispossession investigator, arguing it would save lives.
• Zach Young (MNPS School Board member, former Council Member) urged support for Porterfield's substitute, warning that failure to pass it would lead to program cuts at a time when MNPS is improving.
• Travis Walker (Vice President of The Steel Mill and Moo TV) thanked Council Member Toombs for an amendment creating a 100-foot buffer between the residential development and his rehearsal facility, and expressed support for the Dickerson Pike zoning project.
• Erica Perry (Executive Director, Southern Movement Committee) supported Porterfield's budget for funding youth safety programs and community-based safety initiatives.
• Misty Cox (District 12 resident) voiced general concern about the budget process but did not take a clear position on specific items.
• Dr. Berthina Nabah McKinney (Vice Chair, MNPS School Board) supported Porterfield's substitute, stating that reductions would result in staff and service losses.
• Jason Weekly (Chairman, Davidson County Republican Party) opposed the mayor's and Porterfield's budgets, calling for a no vote due to the property tax increase (26% to 39% depending on district) which he said makes Nashville unaffordable.
• Ana Horatunian (Director, Nashville After Zone Alliance) supported the substitute budget for funding out-of-school programs, including camps for youth in public housing and programs for justice-involved youth.
• Laney Carnes (teacher at Hillsborough High School, MEA member) supported Porterfield's substitute, noting that cuts would affect school lunches, mental health support, and transportation, but also committed to advocating for more transparency in MNPS budget.

Discussion Items

• FY2026 Operating Budget (BL2025-833): Chair Porterfield presented a substitute budget that included $8.2 million for an additional 1% across-the-board employee pay increase (total 2%), $250,000 for maternal health doulas, $200,000 for food assistance, $150,000 for NASA after-school programming, $100,000 for public-private housing partnerships, and other modest investments. After adopting the substitute (voice vote with 3 no and 1 abstention), the council considered and passed five amendments:
  • Amendment 2 (Gadd): $112,400 for a domestic violence detective position to enforce firearm dispossession for offenders subject to orders of protection. (Voice vote, Porterfield abstained)
  • Amendment 1 (Sepulveda): $50,000 for the MC3 construction trades pre-apprenticeship program. (Voice vote, Porterfield abstained)
  • Late Filed Amendment 1 (Styles): $20,000 for Pet Community Center spay/neuter services for Metro residents. (Voice vote, Porterfield abstained)
  • Late Filed Amendment 2 (Styles): $87,000 for the Safe Bar program (app development, training, supplies). (Voice vote, Porterfield abstained)
  • Amendment 8 (Toombs): $25,000 for Neighbor to Neighbor community advocacy organization. (Voice vote, Porterfield abstained)
• Council Member Welsch withdrew her four amendments (eviction right to counsel, Tennessee Justice Center, Safe Bar, and ERTC) after stating that the council repeatedly funds MNPD over social programs.
• Council Member Johnston offered a second substitute that would reduce the combined tax levy by 16.8 cents (28% reduction) and give employees a 2.5% raise, but withdrew it after brief explanation, acknowledging lack of support.
• Tax Levy (BL2025-834): The ordinance establishing the tax rate was approved after brief discussion. Council Member Eslick criticized the Rafelis study that equalized GSD and USD service costs, arguing it overburdens GSD residents. The levy passed 29-9-2.
• New Positions (BL2025-838): Creating 16 new positions (including urban forestry, traffic management, short-term rental inspection, etc.) passed unanimously by voice vote.
• Pay Plans (RS2025-1258, 1259, 1260): All three pay plans (general employees, police/fire, Board of Health) were approved as amended with Amendment 1 (Porterfield), which added an additional 1% across-the-board raise (total 2%). Each passed with strong majority voice votes (no roll call). Council Member Suara clarified that the step increase remained at 2% because a uniform adjustment is required.
• Late Filed Resolutions (K1–K4): After rules suspension, four late resolutions were adopted:
  • K1 (RS2025-1322): First amendment to three grant contracts for constructing affordable housing via Housing Trust Fund Commission. Passed 33-1-0 (Bradford no).
  • K2 (RS2025-1323): In-kind grant from Sister Cities of Nashville for a mural at Morgan Park Community Center. Passed 34-1-0.
  • K3 (RS2025-1324): $1,526,540 from Nashville Public Library for after-school and summer programming via NAZA. Passed 34-1-1 (Bradford no, Styles abstain).
  • K4 (RS2025-1325): Amendment one to grant contracts for out-of-school programs via NAZA. Passed 35-1-0.
• Zoning Items (BL2025-809 and BL2025-810): Both ordinances for a mixed-use development on 106.9 acres along Dickerson Pike passed on third reading with an amendment creating a 100-foot noise buffer for The Steel Mill rehearsal facility. The companion material restrictions ordinance also passed. Votes were unanimous (36-0-0 each).
• Other Items:
  • Appointees for Human Relations Commission and Social Services Commission were re-referred for further consideration.
  • Confirmations: Ben Mosely (Historic Zoning Commission) confirmed 36-3-1; Chandra Allen (Social Services Commission) confirmed by voice vote.
  • Beer permit exemptions for Emiliano's Steakhouse and Old Hickory Pizza and Pub passed with public hearings (no opposition).
  • Bills on first reading (BL2025-897 through 905) passed and referred to committees.
  • The Downtown Central Business Improvement District ordinance (BL2025-846) was deferred to July 1 meeting per committee recommendation.

Key Outcomes

• FY2026 Operating Budget (BL2025-833) adopted as substituted and amended (32-6-2). The budget includes a 26% combined property tax rate increase (39% in GSD) to fund employee raises, educational programs, affordable housing, and public safety investments.
• Tax Levy (BL2025-834) adopted (29-9-2), setting the property tax rate for FY2026.
• New City Positions (BL2025-838) created (unanimous voice vote).
• Pay Plans for General, Police/Fire, and Board of Health employees adopted with 2% across-the-board raises effective July 1, 2025.
• Four late-filed resolutions (K1–K4) approved to continue affordable housing grants, a community mural, and out-of-school program funding.
• Two zoning ordinances for Dickerson Pike mixed-use development passed on third reading with a noise buffer amendment.
• Beer permit exemptions granted to two restaurants.
• Multiple grant acceptances, contract amendments, and infrastructure ordinances approved via Consent Agenda and individual votes.