Rae's Metro Watch - 6/03 Metro Council Bills Rundown
Rae's assessment of upcoming bills through Nashville Metro Council - RE BL2025-833,834// RS2025-1256,1264,1274,1275// BL2025-841
This is my analysis and my opinion of some bills and resolutions on the agenda for the Nashville Metro Council:
(This is the email format sent directly to city council members each week from Rae)
Hello BRANDON AND ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS
Since you will be voting on several matters of concern below is my opinion and questions about some matters before you tomorrow night.
I don’t usually comment on developments outside my council district but since you all are considering allowing more than one dwelling unit on every residential zoned property in the USD currently zoned SINGLE-FAMILY FOR ALL OF DAVIDSON COUNTY, I WILL NO LONGER LIMIT MY COMMENTS. IN LIGHT OF WHAT YOU ARE ALL CONSIDERING COUNCILMANIC COURTESY SHOULD GO THE WAY OF THE DODO BIRD! In my considered opinion part of the housing problem in Nashville is the NOO STR’S. You passed a zoning class of NS AND IT SHOULD BE USED!!!!!! I have a building right next to me empty Monday -Thurs which could have been several apartments. There is a large building on 31st AVE & LONG BLVD which is 100% AIR BNB/ NOO STR.
BL2025-833 I OPPOSE the increase to the MNPS while they are bragging about an increase in reading proficiency of 3rd graders from 27% to 29%, we still have only 41% reading on grade level. This is DISGRACEFUL! Maybe MNPS could get rid of more administrators making 6 figure salaries and hire more reading teachers and get the 41% up to 100%. When I was in 1st grade I was reading at a 3rd grade level, and I am not a genius.
FURTHER we need more police personnel despite the “data” that crime stats are going down! According to the Vandy poll most people in Nashville do not feel safe walking in certain parts of their neighborhoods after dark. I am one of those people. This site backs up my feelings https://crimegrade.org/violent-crime-nashville-tn/
I OPPOSE the funding of the ARTS Commission of almost $6 MILLION!!!! In my opinion there are NO Da Vincis, or Picasso’s or Modigliani’s coming from their support. Most of the art supported makes no SENSE to truth or beauty. A bill to be entitled: The Budget Ordinance of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee for Fiscal Year 2026.
BL2025-834 I OPPOSE THIS TAX INCREASE! This is going to negatively impact seniors, and working class people just barely making it in the city. While you brag about the lowest tax rate you forget that our properties appraise so high that we in effect pay more than the surrounding areas. As noted in the following article and as I have been saying for 10 years it is not just the rate of tax that is the whole part of the equation. We in Davidson pay higher taxes than our neighbors. “In much the same way, the study’s statistics on total property tax per capita don’t explain the precise tax burden on every Nashvillian, either. But they do give a good look at the effect on taxpayers’ wallets on average. Here’s how Nashville compares to 12 other counties, including several surrounding Nashville and other notable cities in the state:
Davidson: $2,161
Williamson: $1,593
Shelby: $1,509
Hamilton: $1,398
Rutherford: $1,074
Sumner: $973
Maury: $964
Wilson: $964
Knox: $949
Robertson: $927
Montgomery: $894
Cheatham: $807
Dickson: $746”
https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/davidson/2025/05/22/nashville-property-tax-bill-comparison-tennessee/83653605007/ An ordinance establishing the tax levy in the General Services District for the fiscal year 2025-2026, and declaring the amount required for the annual operating budget of the Urban Services District, pursuant to section 6.07 of the Metropolitan Charter.
RS2025-1256 I OPPOSE A resolution reallocating $2,220,235 in American Rescue Plan Act funds from Fund #30216 to provide legal representation to low and moderate-income Davidson County renters to defend against landlord eviction.
RS2025-1264 IT IS 2025 WHY ARE WE STILL RECOVERING FROM THE 2010 FLOOD????? A Resolution approving and authorizing the Metropolitan Mayor submitting Amendment Seven to the Action Plan for Disaster Recovery for the use of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds to complete recovery efforts resulting from the May 2010 floods.
RS2025-1274 AFTER READING THE ANAYSIS OF THIS CASE FROM 1992 WHATEVER WE ARE PAYING THE LEGAL TEAM OF METRO IT IS TOO MUCH!!!!!!! A resolution authorizing the Metropolitan Department of Law to compromise and settle the claims of Deana Watson, as Independent Administrator of the Estate of Claude Garrett, against the Metropolitan Government’s former employees in the amount of $300,000.00, with said amount to be paid from the Judgments and Losses Fund.
RS2025-1275 I SUPPORT! A resolution approving amendment two to a Hot Spot Violent Crime Intervention Fund (VCIF) Targeted Community Crime Reduction Project (TCCRP) grant from the Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs to the Metropolitan Government, acting by and through the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, to provide support to local law enforcement in developing and implementing evidence-based strategies to combat violent crime.
BL2025-841 I SUPPORT! An ordinance providing the honorary street name designation of “Dr. J. Lucious Fitzgerald, Sr. Way” for a portion of Underwood Street.
As always thanks for your time and attention.
Rae
"The dividing line in America is no longer between right or left. The choice is between normal or crazy," Governor Sarah Sanders
“EQUALITY=each person has the opportunity to excel=Constitutional Republic
EQUITY= everyone finishes the same = FASCISM”, Greg Gutfeld
“100 active citizens who write or call their representatives can make a difference” Russ Vought
1984 is not an instruction manual it was written as a warning!
In this section, long-time Nashville resident Rae Keohane shares her insights and opinions on the bills being reviewed by the Nashville Metro Council. Each week, Raphaela will break down key pieces of legislation that could shape our community, offering her perspective on how they might impact our city. Stay informed, get engaged, and make your voice heard by understanding what's on the table and how you can connect with your councilperson.
About Rae:
Rae first realized the importance of the Metro City Council in 2017, when the development of a hotel in her neighborhood was proposed through BL2017-819.
After her Councilman failed to respond, she hired an attorney to challenge the development. Despite months of meetings and securing several concessions, a hotel was built instead of needed housing. This experience led to her involvement in other significant battles, including opposing the Nashville Fairgrounds redevelopment, fighting against Mayor Megan Barry's transit plan, and resisting the 38% tax increase.
Having moved to Nashville from New York in 2015, She became increasingly concerned with the direction of the city.
When the priorities of the Music City Convention Center and the Chamber of Commerce overshadow the needs of the citizens, it’s clear there’s a problem.
More recently, she's been advocating against the construction of the “new” Titan Stadium and the East Bank development.
Make sure you stay subscribed to get Rae's City Council Updates!*All views expressed here are of the author and do not mean endorsement by the larger blog Daughter of Tennessee.*