[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6218471,"mediaKeyId","3628660-870f7cbd29e27e77d88725eba0fd7ed3","parentId",3628660,"title","Metro committee defers contested 15-year pay-plan restructure after extended debate","audioSeconds",1596,"startMs",1795000,"endMs",3391000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3628660-870f7cbd29e27e77d88725eba0fd7ed3&start=1795&end=3391","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3628660-870f7cbd29e27e77d88725eba0fd7ed3/thumbnail_1795000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6218471/Tennessee/Metro-committee-defers-contested-15-year-pay-plan-restructure-after-extended-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218471-a36742e879aea6d1f8fa5ac666de26fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485533&Signature=jDVPK28odfd3JhJqLaXBmTHmltRO7I63ObtHxkvwweqs-~4JAD-9yE~PEEFl3LtOl9r6Oqno-mEK6p3dfHfTfDUf8Pe3qgIMCYWT8cZRrhzllJ3wt3EXhLNEph0bZn8M7EIZtrDJflqIA7tHQ6yhz8VlB5nRCTjoqOVrCzaIgTvlBZQhjYukZAwfGTnq4-3ODxvq-5BxDBuvlqhOFH1B2n8rojuGObR~TiDp5rASWxowQ64bb8lndRz7WUXJQ2znVDaCGyciNYNJuwkaKCfQxdp6y6ryqSYvN5oa7tqSlqTwF8YzHhE116Bw3p7oHwE89SvQuQ2257ztOhvZwPuV2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Nashville, TN","date","2025-06-03T12:05:30Z","article","The Metro Council Budget & Finance Committee on June 2 deferred consideration for one meeting of a proposed, 15‑year pay-plan restructure that would change pay ranges and step increases for general employees and other city workers.

Council members pressed administration and finance officials for details about who would benefit from the plan, how the increases would be phased, and what would happen to employees if the plan were rejected. Director Hall and Mary Jo Wiggins of Metro finance told the committee that implementation this year would cost roughly $55,800,000 in additional general‑fund spending and that pay ranges would be adjusted upward — roughly 7–8% at the low end — before distributing merit and across‑the‑board increases.

Committee members said they supported moving toward more market‑competitive pay but objected to the proposed structure of 2% merit steps spread over 15 years and a 1% across‑the‑board component, which some members said would deliver smaller raises over time than alternative proposals discussed during the meeting. “If this pay plan is passed, they’re going to be stuck with 2% steps for 15 years,” said Council member Johnston. “We can do better.”

Supporters on the committee, including Vice Chair Toombs and others, said the proposed plan raises base pay ranges (so many employees would see an immediate market adjustment), adds merit steps where the current plan had fewer steps, and creates a predictable mechanism for annual adjustments. Director Hall said the market‑range increases move midpoints so employees reach market faster — roughly after three years instead of five — and that initial implementation combines the market adjustment, a merit increase, and a small across‑the‑board component.

Committee members repeatedly asked whether the council could reject the plan without leaving employees without raises on July 1. Director Darby and Director Hall said that, under the charter, a rejected plan would be returned to the Civil Service Commission to formulate another pay plan; speakers cautioned that creating a replacement plan before the fiscal year deadline may not be feasible and that employees could receive no increases on July 1 if the plan were not adopted. Director Darby said the council’s budget ordinance contains a placeholder of $50 million for pay‑plan improvements, but that the absence of an adopted plan would likely mean the current plan remained in effect.

Council members asked for numerical, employee‑level comparisons showing current pay vs. proposed pay (without names) so that elected officials could evaluate impacts by pay grade and years of service. Several members asked for a side‑by‑side table comparing the old plan and the proposed plan’s outcomes; Director Hall and staff agreed to provide that analysis.

After extended discussion, the committee voted to defer the item one meeting so the pay plan could “track with the budget” and members could review more detail. The deferral passed unanimously, 11–0.

The deferral means the pay plan will return to the committee before the council finalizes the budget. The administration said it would continue to work with the council to clarify cost allocation across funds and to provide the requested side‑by‑side comparisons.

The meeting record shows the committee acted by motion to defer; no final adoption of the pay plan occurred on June 2.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06/02/25 Metropolitan Council Committee: Budget & Finance","oneSentenceSummary","The Metro Council Budget & Finance Committee on June 2 deferred a proposed 15‑year overhaul of its pay plan after members raised questions about cost, timing and fairness.","taxTitle","Budget & Finance Meetings, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee","taxId",69310,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6218466,"Council committee starts process to expand downtown business improvement district amid outreach, homelessness questions",3610,52000,3662000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3628660-870f7cbd29e27e77d88725eba0fd7ed3&start=52&end=3662","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3628660-870f7cbd29e27e77d88725eba0fd7ed3/thumbnail_52000.jpg","/articles/6218466/Tennessee/Council-committee-starts-process-to-expand-downtown-business-improvement-district-amid-outreach-homelessness-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218466-ee505ee9127841e6a05dad3527eab529/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485533&Signature=bkc9MV8Jakp9DSzdG-mk3n81Vs~8Kc07cFutYsoiCnNJHWGv7bs5UVoCLTBLuJ8vY08NNngn90RQKfw79gvfNhvcK0Z7O2aOLVpN25GEKVD1eEwkV3Px~9XynPQ9WLiOOe27Tv0e0~11tvsUgvWliBfP29a5wcE6mBfbynHP~cxiZjpq7Z9J71eD0mvgJasxYvgVMt1I9CNntt3TRhugDai0kpD8xHffQevK-mnijubmCVO1jtpRLIMs9F8tJ0uklby~kMCAstYc-lS-2hixb5UUElWgx~1W3ho2KXzijb0wtXDSH4m9wp~qnuCOT6jUVGxCLCBxkkk88AiNWb6ekA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metro Council Budget & Finance Committee on June 2 voted to initiate the process to expand the downtown Central Business Improvement District (CBID), including a consolidation with the Gulch Business Improvement District, and to set a public hearing required by state law.

The motion to begin the BID expansion process was offered by Council member Coopin and approved on a voice vote (11–0). The resolution begins a multi‑reading process under state timing rules; the chair noted the public hearing will be scheduled more than 30 and fewer than 45 days after first reading to comply with state law.

Public commenters and downtown business owners told the committee they support the expansion. “Any expansion of the Central Business Improvement District means a cleaner, safer downtown,” said David Andrews, identifying himself as a District 19 resident and owner of D’Andrew’s Bakery Café on Church Street. David Ewing, a downtown business owner and tour operator, said ambassadors are “compassionate” and provide wraparound contacts with the unhoused. Elizabeth Mayhall, a long‑time downtown resident, said property owners approved the CBID tax and called its services a good investment.

Council members raised questions about outreach to and treatment of people experiencing homelessness in downtown areas. Council member Soror asked whether contracted security was being directed to focus enforcement against unhoused people while ignoring other sidewalk activity; Tom Turner, president and CEO of the Downtown Partnership, told the committee that the partnership’s contract does not direct security to target one group and that the partnership has an outreach team that has worked downtown since 2011 and will expand staff as the district grows. Turner described outreach work and coordination with housing partners and said the partnership has previously rented apartments and used COVID recovery funds to support housing placements.

Members pressed for commitments that expansion funds and contractor activities would not displace unhoused residents and that outreach would emphasize housing solutions. Council member Suarez noted that the resolution only initiates the hearing and that any changes would come through the establishing ordinance, which will require three readings. The chair also noted the current outreach and contractual arrangements would not change immediately; the existing service agreement runs through Dec. 31, 2026, and any expansion would take effect under the formal process and timeline.

Committee members asked that staff and the Downtown Partnership provide additional information about outreach, housing outcomes, and operational directives for contracted security before the public hearing. The motion to initiate the BID expansion and to set the public hearing passed unanimously; the committee scheduled the public hearing to comply with state law timing requirements.","The Metro Council Budget & Finance Committee on June 2 voted to start the process to expand the downtown Central Business Improvement District and set the required public hearing, drawing public support from downtown businesses and questions about outreach and homelessness services.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6218456,"Council accepts grant to fund veteran homelessness system lead position",163,4542000,4705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3628660-870f7cbd29e27e77d88725eba0fd7ed3&start=4542&end=4705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3628660-870f7cbd29e27e77d88725eba0fd7ed3/thumbnail_4542000.jpg","/articles/6218456/Tennessee/Council-accepts-grant-to-fund-veteran-homelessness-system-lead-position","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218456-a99df7e47589cad7182e63124b93f3b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485533&Signature=DUbTqWcpLHEmYRg2kzsTiJvFdrwYOcM5rRzJ1aKRrDz1pBAW07049agRLVxt~lrkvunJH2xd37ZkRyaLfjwODP7dXE~9wO3NT6ygeCjn4e72XLhP80ZxWT0MJ2ox7Ra-HTHU4~YFUol48OWlZrcY-bO5G2ZEvwQUXCVEhv6I5HQ7Q-cyibtDl4pXGtV5aQjNZjkFufp85VurAaNaH42UBC1C23z4oFL6OlG8~cJOZgCRQYH8avW~W2RTJQRiDRVEsoE1-lhmoAfVkCWBZeddLIXp1XpiC78J8CIlrpQAzucZ3Dn4WRaSrQIZAlLKHkBtoigtR6Xnx4i7jSIH2qZ8Ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metro Council Budget & Finance Committee on June 2 approved acceptance of a capacity‑building grant from Community Solutions (Built for Zero) to fund a veteran system lead position within the Office of Homeless Services.

Allison Cantway of the Office of Homeless Services told the committee the grant would fund a dedicated staff position for approximately two years to coordinate veteran‑specific efforts, accelerate housing placements, and pursue “functional zero” for veteran homelessness — a target in which inflow into homelessness is matched by a system’s ability to house people rapidly so homelessness is rare and brief. Cantway said the position would work with the continuum of care, the veterans work group and local veteran‑service organizations, and that sustainability beyond the grant term would be a stated priority.

Council members asked for examples of outcomes and strategies used in jurisdictions that have reached functional zero; Cantway said she would provide handouts and examples of practices that produced decreases in veteran homelessness, improved exits to permanent housing, and shorter lengths of time in the homeless system.

The committee approved the acceptance of the grant and the staffing plan. Sponsors listed on the resolution included Porterfield and Evans. Committee members said they expected follow‑up reporting on outcomes and sustainability planning before grant funds expire.","The committee accepted a Community Solutions grant to fund a veteran system lead position in Metro’s Office of Homeless Services under the Built for Zero initiative; the grant will fund two years and aims to reduce veteran homelessness by improving coordination and housing exits.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6218461,"Committee reallocates $2.22M in ARPA funds to extend renters’ right‑to‑counsel legal services",174,1190000,1364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3628660-870f7cbd29e27e77d88725eba0fd7ed3&start=1190&end=1364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3628660-870f7cbd29e27e77d88725eba0fd7ed3/thumbnail_1190000.jpg","/articles/6218461/Tennessee/Committee-reallocates-222M-in-ARPA-funds-to-extend-renters-righttocounsel-legal-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218461-e8e39b394bf2913343ac1d43496cf46e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770485533&Signature=eO99bhTFVeSE-YSKDwVrDYdSfAOe4ROMrDRJGAV1vFcwulgpRqwXE6SrNp7HyMIiAcc8rTEaZsCFoyT6aJoKy2UYRMBu6xq5u31yo2xN-E56k63Cg6wAH-fOHjEKg3d7cmrcFAqc-eHIfe-GWhfWyEfwYOb2SzFJqN1FiRao95JjmzMJvucVq3V8SPKLGF3JSQVhjVJ5JCvHQXHU6E7tDTloGD4YQr77CugXv7LeebyQe2YrQFFQK4WbvkN02x-5EUsnmM27OZLCq-WAjLM5pQeZiUz9gENfXaNMCK2T7eQiVC~1S2-p15l9fO7-Xw7T1S8U9dPiU9Ca63gHm2GoiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metro Council Budget & Finance Committee on June 2 approved reallocation of $2,220,235 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to continue funding legal representation for low‑ and moderate‑income renters facing eviction.

Council member Soror, a sponsor of the measure, described the item as an extension of a pilot program started in 2020 and funded with ARPA dollars. She told the committee an independent study commissioned by the program showed a $5.10 return for every dollar invested, with measurable benefits for households and the county.

Finance staff confirmed the reallocation includes unspent funds from prior allocations (including a portion of funds associated with Shelby House) and said U.S. Treasury guidance allows reallocation among previously obligated ARPA activities to continue eviction‑defense work. Mary Jo Wiggins of Metro finance told the committee that the reallocated funds were a portion of previously obligated funds and that additional reallocation items would come forward in subsequent committee actions.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the reallocation, 11–0. Sponsors said the funds would extend the program through June 2026 and continue contracting for legal services to prevent displacement.

Council members asked for details about contract approvals that will follow and for copies of the independent report cited by the sponsor. Finance staff noted that because some contracts must come to council for approval, further items will be scheduled for committee review.","The Budget & Finance Committee approved reallocating $2,220,235 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to sustain legal representation for low‑ and moderate‑income renters facing eviction through June 2026; sponsors cited an independent report showing strong economic returns from the program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Metro committee defers contested 15-year pay-plan restructure after extended debate

Council committee starts process to expand downtown business improvement district amid outreach, homelessness questions

Council accepts grant to fund veteran homelessness system lead position

Committee reallocates $2.22M in ARPA funds to extend renters’ right‑to‑counsel legal services