Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, TN - File #: BL2020-387

• File #: BL2020-387
• Type: Bill (Ordinance)
• Status: Passed
• File created: 9/21/2020
• In control: Metropolitan Council
• On agenda: 4/6/2021
• Final action: 4/6/2021
• Title: An ordinance amending Section 3.24.010 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws pertaining to health insurance benefits for Members of the Metropolitan Council after they leave office.
• Sponsors: Tonya Hancock, Erin Evans, Freddie OConnell, Russ Bradford, John Rutherford, Angie Henderson

Date	Action By	Action
4/7/2021	Mayor	approved
4/6/2021	Metropolitan Council	passed on third reading as amended
4/6/2021	Metropolitan Council	amended
3/2/2021	Metropolitan Council	deferred
3/2/2021	Metropolitan Council	passed on second reading
3/2/2021	Metropolitan Council	amended
3/2/2021	Personnel, Public Information, Human Relations, and Veterans Committee	approved with an amendment
9/15/2020	Metropolitan Council	deferred
9/15/2020	Metropolitan Council	amended
9/1/2020	Metropolitan Council	passed on first reading
9/1/2020	Metropolitan Council	reinstated
8/18/2020	Metropolitan Council	deferred indefinitely
8/4/2020	Budget and Finance Committee	disapproved
8/4/2020	Metropolitan Council	passed on first reading

title
An ordinance amending Section 3.24.010 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws pertaining to health insurance benefits for Members of the Metropolitan Council after they leave office.

body
WHEREAS, in 2019, Metro Council members received a $8,100 raise approved in the prior term which was recommended by the Department of Human Resources under the belief to properly compensate Metro Council would help to promote a more diverse and inclusive Council body; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Davidson County expect the Council to manage taxpayer money wisely, yet over $800,000 per year is spent on a benefit for Councilmembers that is not offered to other part-time Metro Government Employees; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government spent $837,438 health insurance benefits for both current and former Metro Council Members in 2020. This cost is expected to increase to $1,208,134 by 2024; and
WHEREAS, July 17, 2020 the Metropolitan Council passed a $1.066 property tax rate increase in the USD ($1.033 in the GSD), constituting the highest increase in the history of Metropolitan Nashville; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government is $4.5 billion in debt, with depleted reserves; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, the Mayor's Office contracted with an independent consulting company (Deloitte Consulting LLP) to provide data upon which Metro could make decisions about current pay levels. This study revealed that none of Metro Nashville's peers offer retiree medical coverage to council members. To be consistent with common practice, the study recommended that Metro eliminate lifetime medical coverage for Council Members; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council should remove the lifetime health insurance benefits for Council members after they leave office.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That Section 3.24.010 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by deleting the provisions of subsection C. in their entirety and substit...