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Budget & Finance committee approves MOU with downtown partnership after debate over surveillance oversight
Summary
The committee approved an amended MOU enabling state Downtown Public Safety grant coordination with the Nashville Downtown Partnership while adding legal compliance language and preserving council review of surveillance purchases; public commenters and council members pressed for clearer oversight and entity accountability.
The Budget & Finance Committee on Dec. 15 recommended approval of a memorandum of understanding between Metropolitan Government and the Nashville Downtown Partnership (NDP) related to an FY26 Downtown Public Safety grant, after a sustained public-comment period and amendments that added compliance language and removed specific vendor names from the exhibit.
The committee's action follows public testimony raising procurement and civil‑liberties concerns. Mike Lacey told the committee that a state award to the District Management Corporation (DMC) and routing funds through a private nonprofit could reduce Metro Council oversight; Manning Hall warned of a national pattern in which private nonprofits operate surveillance systems without city…
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