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.
The following items were approved unanimously (28-0):
Four Tennessee residents spoke during the 20-minute public comment period, all addressing the late-filed data center moratorium (agenda item F1):
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:
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.
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.