An ordinance amending Section 5.04.075 of the Metropolitan Code to exempt nonprofit organizations receiving grant funds through the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission from the additional reporting requirements regarding the use of funds.

WHEREAS, on August 21, 2007, the Metropolitan Council enacted Ordinance No. BL2007-1451, as amended, to require nonprofit organizations receiving funds from the Metropolitan Government through the General Fund of the General Services District or the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax to either make meetings of their board of directors open to the public when deliberating the expenditure of Metropolitan Government funds, or, in the alternative, submit a quarterly report to the Council Rules Committee summarizing how the Metropolitan Government funds have been used by the organization; and

WHEREAS, the reporting requirements contained in Ordinance No. BL2007-1451, as amended, are in large part a duplication of efforts on the part of nonprofit organizations receiving grant funding through the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission since the organizations are already required to submit reports to the Arts Commission providing evidence of the use of Metro funds; and

WHEREAS, both state and local law exempt nonprofit civic and charitable organizations receiving grants from the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission in accordance with Section 2.112.040 of the Metro Code from having to provide the government with a copy of their annual audit and proposed use of funds prior to receiving the grant funds; and

WHEREAS, the Council now deems it appropriate that nonprofit organizations receiving grant funding through the Arts Commission be exempt from submitting a quarterly report to the Council Rules Committee, as well.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That Section 5.04.075 of the Metropolitan Code is hereby amended by adding the following provision at the end of subsection D.:

“Further, the provisions of this ordinance shall not apply to nonprofit civic and charitable organizations receiving grants from the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission in accordance with Section 2.112.040 of this code.”

Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after its passage, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ronnie Steine, Rip Ryman