Nashville council approves $260,000 Comcast settlement after legal questions and last‑minute deadline

The Metropolitan Council voted to accept a $260,000 settlement from Comcast Nashville LLC over disputed franchise‑fee payments, approving the agreement on a roll‑call vote after hours of public questioning and a late filing that required suspension of council rules.

The settlement, put forward by Metro Legal and the administration, was approved 25 in favor, 3 against and 6 abstentions. Metro Legal attorney Macy Amos and Dave Rosenberg of the mayor’s office answered multiple council questions about the underlying audit, the risk of litigation and a tolling agreement that expires Sept. 30.

Council members repeatedly pressed Metro Legal and administration representatives about the provenance of the audit figures. Amos said the audit’s original calculation was later “discredited” after Comcast raised objections about the accounting work, and that Metro contracted outside legal counsel with franchise‑agreement expertise to advise the city. Rosenberg said the city was weighing a guaranteed $260,000 now against an uncertain chance of recovering more through litigation, which would be costly and legally uncertain.

“We entered into a tolling agreement that expires on Sept. 30,” Amos told the council, saying council action before that date was required to secure the settlement. “If we do not approve this tonight, we will miss out on the $260,000 they have agreed to pay.” Later she added that accepting the settlement would foreclose further litigation on the same claim.

Several council members said they were uncomfortable approving the amount without fuller documentation. Councilmember Welsh said the expert auditor’s revision reduced the city’s claimed recovery by roughly one‑third and asked whether Metro could pursue claims against the contracted accountant. Amos said pursuing the accountant would depend on the contract terms and required further review.

Councilmember Benedict urged caution and suggested a specially called meeting to give the council more time to review documents; special counsel advised that the charter permits a special meeting if called by the mayor, the vice mayor or a majority of council members. Councilmember Toombs, chair of Budget and Finance, urged colleagues to rely on Metro Legal’s judgment and the outside counsel’s assessment that litigation would be risky and legally uncertain.

Metro’s audit period for the franchise review covers April 1, 2019, through March 31, 2022, Amos said. She added that earlier years are final where no audit was pursued within the contract’s three‑year window.

The resolution before the council authorized acceptance of the settlement and related administrative steps. Metro Legal told the council that, if approved, the city would not pursue further litigation on the same dispute. Council members who voted against or abstained cited concerns about lost taxpayer dollars, incomplete documentation and the city’s audit procedures.

The vote concluded debate on a late‑filed agenda item that council members had postponed earlier in the meeting to allow Metro Legal time to gather and answer the body’s questions.

Council action: The resolution approving the $260,000 settlement with Comcast Nashville LLC was adopted (vote: 25 yes, 3 no, 6 abstain). Metro Legal said approval would foreclose further litigation on the same dispute.

Ending: The council concluded its meeting shortly after the Comcast vote; members who sought more documentation asked Metro Legal and the administration to provide additional records and to consider programmatic steps so future franchise audits and contract reviews are completed and reviewed with more lead time.