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A resolution expressing a lack of confidence in the performance and leadership of Metropolitan Government Director of Finance Kevin Crumbo and Director of Law Wally Dietz.
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WHEREAS, since July 2023, issues have arisen regarding the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission ("Arts Commission") and its Metro Arts staff, caused in large part by the Metropolitan Department of Law, led by Director Wally Dietz, and the Metropolitan Department of Finance, led by Director Kevin Crumbo; and
WHEREAS, the Memorandum to the Metropolitan Council from Director Crumbo dated March 22, 2024 ("March 22 Memo") stated that "Metro Arts can expect an operating deficit of a least a few hundred thousand dollars by the end of this fiscal year". However, on May 23, 2024, Department of Finance staff stated that projections indicate that Metro Arts will have $48,000 remaining in its budget at the end of this fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the alleged dire financial state of Metro Arts was used not only to add new conditions and requirements for Metro Arts staff, but also has been used to question and criticize the leadership of former Metro Arts Director Daniel Singh; and
WHEREAS, the Arts Commission voted to fund a round of grants in July 2023 using a lens of equity for the first time in the department's history and, shortly after the vote was passed, the commission was advised to redo the vote in August 2023 at the request of Director Dietz and Metro Legal staff; and
WHEREAS, the cause for the legal advice stemmed from a call from a former Metro Arts commissioner to Director Dietz in regard to the Supreme Court ruling on race-based admissions in education. After reaching out to outside counsel, the advice from Director Dietz and Metro Legal led to the subsequent August 2023 vote, which resulted in the least equitable funding scenario according to the Metro Human Relations Commission's March 4, 2024, report. This vote resulted in a lower funding for independent artists and the ...
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