Metro Council adopts Porterfield substitute budget and 2026 tax levies after hours of debate and public comment

The Metropolitan Council on June 24 approved a substitute operating budget written by Councilmember Porterfield and adopted the tax levies that fund it after more than three hours of public comment and council debate.

Councilmember Porterfield’s substitute budget, as amended on the Council floor, passed 32 in favor, 6 opposed and 2 abstentions. The accompanying General Services District and Urban Services District tax levies required a separate vote and passed later in the meeting: the combined tax levy ordinance passed 29 in favor, 9 opposed and 2 abstentions.

The substitute budget includes targeted investments and additions described by Porterfield during her remarks: an $8.2 million increase for employee pay (an additional 1% intended to bring the across‑the‑board raise to roughly 2% to match civil service guidance); $150,000 for expanded after‑school programming through the Nashville Afterzone Alliance (NASA); $250,000 for maternal health initiatives to support additional doulas under the health department’s Strong Baby work; $100,000 for a consultant to explore public–private housing partnerships; $200,000 for expanded food assistance programming (with $25,000 earmarked for emergency food services); and smaller allocations for youth shelters, museum study, and translation services, among other line items.

Public comment at the start of the meeting strongly shaped the debate. Dr. Paula Pendergrass, president of the Metropolitan Nashville Education Association, urged support, saying the proposed cuts to schools “are not just numbers on a page. It's lost educators, crowded classrooms, and fewer resources for the children who need them most.” Jessica Stewart, president of SEIU Local 205, asked the Council to “vote yes on the budget committee substitute budget” and to reject amendments that would cut school funding, noting the effect on support staff and summer jobs.

Support for the substitute budget also came from school board members and education leaders. School Board Chair Freda Player said MNPS “did not come to this body to make up for [a] $10,000,000 deficit” and described record gains in student outcomes maintained in the substitute. Board Vice Chair Dr. Berthena Naba McKinney, who chairs the school board’s budget committee, warned that “any reduction in funding would have a serious and harmful impact on our students, families, and phenomenal educators and staff.”

Opposition and concern came mainly from residents and local leaders worried about the tax impact. Jason Weekley, chairman of the Davidson County Republican Party, urged Council members to reject both the mayor’s and the Porterfield budgets, calling the proposed property tax increases “fiscally irresponsible” and warning of heavy burdens on homeowners and seniors. Several council members expressed similar concerns during debate. Councilmember Spain said his district faced a median property valuation increase of 52% and described scenarios in which constituents could see a 45% tax increase in the General Services District.

Council debate addressed both city services and taxpayer burden. Supporters of the substitute emphasized investments in schools, employee pay, youth safety and homelessness. Councilmember Huffman cited the planned Southeast police precinct and expanded housing funds as reasons to support the package, and Councilmember Wiener (Weiner) said departments and employees need predictable funding and that the budget funds core services and employee compensation.

Councilmembers who pushed for changes won a number of amendments during committee and on the floor. Notable changes added to the substitute included: - Amendment 2 (Gadd): $112,400 to fund a domestic‑violence gun dispossession investigator position to coordinate enforcement of firearm dispossession tied to orders of protection (passed on the floor); - Amendment 1 (Pro Tem Sepulveda): $50,000 for MC3, a workforce pathway into union building trades (passed on the floor); - Amendment 8 (Toombs): $25,000 for Neighbor to Neighbor neighborhood advocacy work (passed on the floor); - Late‑filed amendments approved on the floor: $20,000 for Pet Community Center spay‑and‑neuter services, and $87,000 for Safe Bar programming and app maintenance to reduce beverage‑drug assaults.

Porterfield described the budget as the result of “extensive work” across departments and council; she said staff and councilors examined line‑by‑line savings, but the committee concluded the substitute offered the most public benefit with the lowest sustainable tax burden. Several council members who ultimately supported the substitute said they had sought further fiscal guardrails and transparency going forward.

After passage of the substitute operating budget, the Council moved to adopt the required tax levy ordinances that provide the revenue. Budget rules and Charter requirements meant the General Services District and Urban Services District levy votes were handled separately and by roll call. The tax levy ordinance establishing the combined levy for FY2026 passed on a roll call with 29 yeas, 9 nays and 2 abstentions.

The Council also approved a small slate of budget‑related ordinances and position changes tied to the new spending, including creation of multiple new positions (fire deputy director chief, grants and accountability officer, traffic center staff and an urban forestry chief among others) that the Council approved on voice vote.

What’s next: the mayor’s office and department directors will implement the adopted FY2026 budget and the new tax levies take effect with the fiscal year. Multiple council members and staff said they plan follow‑up oversight on implementation, transparency of spending in key programs (particularly education), and continued conversations about property tax relief and long‑term fiscal policy.

Votes at a glance - Operating budget ordinance (BL2025‑833, Porterfield substitute, as amended): passed 32 yes, 6 no, 2 abstain (roll call). Motion to substitute moved by Councilmember Porterfield; substitute described and then approved as amended on the floor. - Tax levy ordinance (BL2025‑834; General/Urban Services tax levies required by Charter sec. 6.07): passed 29 yes, 9 no, 2 abstain (roll call). This vote established the property tax levies that fund the adopted FY2026 operating budget. - Positions ordinance (BL2025‑838): adopted by voice vote (new positions listed in ordinance; vote recorded as passed).