Metropolitan Council Special Meeting: June 9, 2026 – Capital Budget and Data Center Moratorium
Metropolitan Council Special Meeting: June 9, 2026 – Capital Budget and Data Center Moratorium
On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County held a special meeting at the Historic Metro Courthouse. The primary agenda item was the third and final reading of the 2026-2032 Capital Improvements Budget (BL2026-1380). The council also considered a late-filed ordinance (BL2026-1448) imposing a temporary 90-day moratorium on data center development permits, which sparked extensive public comment and debate. The meeting concluded with the approval of all agenda items.
Consent Calendar
The following items were approved unanimously (28-0):
- BL2026-1383: Ordinance authorizing the renaming of Alley #659 to “Eliza Alley.”
- BL2026-1384: Ordinance authorizing the renaming of Alley #581 to “Birdsong Alley.”
- BL2026-1385: Ordinance authorizing the abandonment and acceptance of sanitary sewer force mains and easements for 18 properties (Oracle Force Main Relocation).
- BL2026-1390: Ordinance designating a temporary “Special Event Zone” downtown for the 2026 July 4th Celebration (July 2–5, 2026).
Public Comments & Testimony
Four Tennessee residents spoke during the 20-minute public comment period, all addressing the late-filed data center moratorium (agenda item F1):
- Zach Uyet (in support): Argued that data centers represent a weapon wielded by billionaires against working people, and the council should recognize the broader war on ordinary citizens.
- Lauren Curry (in support): An attorney, former Metro police officer, and Nashville Zoo board member, she urged the council to support the temporary moratorium to allow careful legislative review before any data center project becomes vested.
- Dr. Heather Schwartz (in support): Head veterinarian at the Nashville Zoo, she stated that a data center adjacent to the zoo would disrupt fragile species (e.g., clouded leopards, okapi, hyacinth macaws) with constant noise, vibration, lights, and generators, undermining the zoo’s mission.
- Manon Hall (in opposition): Presented national data on data center energy consumption, cost increases to ratepayers (up to 267% in some areas), and environmental racism, arguing that the AI boom is a cover for violence and surveillance.
Discussion Items
1. Late-Filed Ordinance: Temporary Moratorium on Data Center Permits (BL2026-1448) Sponsors Council Members Johnston and Bradford introduced the ordinance to suspend acceptance and issuance of zoning, building, or grading permits for data center developments for 90 days (or until permanent legislation passes). The council voted 26-1 to suspend the rules and pass the bill on first reading. Key discussion points included:
- Supporters (Benedict, Toombs, Kupin, Cortese, Gadd, and others): Emphasized the need to get policy right, protect the Nashville Zoo, and provide an “insurance policy” while permanent zoning changes (BL2026-1391) proceed. Council Member Cortese noted that communities nationwide are being asked to accept unwanted data centers with minimal public input.
- Opponents (Porterfield, Horton): Argued that the moratorium duplicates existing legislation, defines data centers too broadly (potentially including library computer labs), and exposes the city to legal challenges (citing recent lawsuits in Texas and Kentucky). Porterfield used a “dinner vs. snack” analogy, questioning the need for both bills simultaneously.
- Legal clarification provided by Special Counsel Wilson: The moratorium would not affect existing data centers, would not apply until passed on third reading, and development rights can vest before a moratorium takes effect.
2. Capital Improvements Budget (BL2026-1380) – Third Reading Council Member Toombs presented the six-year Capital Improvements Budget for FY2026-2027 through FY2031-2032. Council Member Benedict moved to adopt Amendment No. 1 (a housekeeping correction offered by Council Member Capp), which was approved by voice vote. The amended bill was then approved on third reading 28-0.
Key Outcomes
- Data Center Moratorium (BL2026-1448): Passed first reading (26-1). Council Member Porterfield voted no; there were no abstentions. The bill will be assigned a number and proceed to committee and further readings.
- Consent Agenda: All four items (BL2026-1383, 1384, 1385, 1390) approved 28-0.
- Capital Improvements Budget (BL2026-1380): Approved on third reading as amended, 28-0.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:00 p.m. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
How do we give us a hug This is what we're going to do. Twenty twenty six. This is a special call meeting of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County, primarily to consider the Capital Improvements Budget on its third and final reading. Well, all members of the council as well as the public, please rise for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. Telling the stories, singing the old songs. We like the places they take us. Mostly we do. The disenfranchised dead want to know. But how do we fashion the future? Who can say how, except in the minds of those who will call it now? The children. The children. And how does our garden grow with waving hands? Oh, rarely in a row. And flowering faces and brambles that we can no longer allow. Who were many people coming together, cannot become one people falling apart? Who dreamed for every child an even chance cannot let luck alone turn doorknobs or not? Whose law was never so much of the hand as the head cannot let chaos make its way to the heart. Who have seen learning struggle from teacher to child cannot let ignorance spread itself like a rot. We know what we have done and what we have said and how we have grown degree by slow degree, believing ourselves toward all we have tried to become just and compassionate, equal, able and free. All this in the hands of children, eyes already set on a land we never can visit. It isn't there yet. But looking through their eyes, we can see what our long gift to them may come to be if we can truly remember they will not forget. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic, which is fans, one nation, under God, indivisible, liberty. All right. Welcome, council and community members on a very stormy evening. Happy Pride Month to everyone again. With a capital improvements budget required to pass the council no later than June 15th, and our next regular council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 16th, and focused on consideration of the operational budget. We'll move right into our agenda. Without objection, we will suspend the calling of the roll and ask the clerk to please record the names of the members present throughout the meeting. Is there a motion for approval of the minutes of the meeting of June 2nd, 2026? Alright. There is a motion properly seconded. So without objection, and seeing no one seeking to be recognized for a change to the minutes. All right, the minutes of the meeting of June 2nd are approved. Mr. Clerk, are there any messages from the mayor? There are no messages from the mayor. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. All right. Um first on our section or agenda rather is section E, the public comment period. Members of the public who are Tennessee residents wishing to speak uh in public comment may sign up at a table outside the council chamber from 5 to 6 p.m. on the day of a council meeting. Public comment is limited to 20 minutes total at council meetings, and each speaker is allowed up to two minutes to speak. We have four uh persons who have signed up uh for public uh comments this evening. Turn on the public podium mic. Um first is Zach Uyet. Um, and Zach will be followed by Lauren Curry. Uh Zach is speaking on agenda item F1, uh, a late filed ordinance uh in support.
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