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A resolution stating the Metropolitan Council's opposition to HB48, SB87, and other legislation that makes substantial changes to governance in Nashville-Davidson County without the assent of Davidson County voters.
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WHEREAS, the governance of Nashville-Davidson County is enumerated in the Metropolitan Charter; and
WHEREAS, these provisions include the size of the Metropolitan Council, the length of elected members' terms, and the dates for Metropolitan elections; and
WHEREAS, these provisions can only be amended with the assent of the voters of Davidson County subsequent to either vetting by a supermajority of the Metropolitan Council or the endorsement of ten percent of Davidson County voters; and
WHEREAS, legislators in the Tennessee General Assembly have introduced HB48 and SB87 ("the legislation"), which would make substantial changes to governance in Nashville-Davidson County; and
WHEREAS, the legislation, as introduced, would reduce the number of Metropolitan Council members from 40 to 20; and
WHEREAS, the legislation, as introduced, would further create elections in consecutive years, forcing voters to elect Metropolitan Councilmembers to a one-year term this year; and
WHEREAS, the legislation, as introduced, would further change voting precincts, causing many voters to vote in three different precincts in a two-year period; and
WHEREAS, the legislation, as introduced, would further force changes to the Metropolitan Charter and other local documents to reflect the change in number of Metropolitan Councilmembers; and
WHEREAS, the legislation, as introduced, includes passages that contradict themselves, creating additional confusion; and
WHEREAS, the provisions in the legislation run counter to the Metropolitan Charter; and
WHEREAS, no legislators in the Tennessee General Assembly who were elected by the voters of Davidson County have introduced, sponsored, or stated support for the legislation; and
WHEREAS, conversations as to the vi...
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