RESOLUTION NO. RS2003-1448

A resolution requesting Governor Phil Bredesen and the Tennessee General Assembly to propose, support, and remain open to options and alternatives to keep our revenue sharing system in tact.

WHEREAS, the State of Tennessee is experiencing lower than expected tax collections and higher than expected increases in costs; and

WHEREAS, Governor Phil Bredesen has proposed a fiscal year 2003-2004 budget that includes estimated growth in revenues of $242 million, new spending of $629 million, state government budget cuts of $237 million, cuts in dedicated transportation revenues of $65.8 million, cuts in state-shared taxes of $60.7 million, and other cuts, reductions, and revenue redirections; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee’s local governments are experiencing lower than expected tax collections and higher than expected increases in costs in the same manner as Tennessee state government; and

WHEREAS, state-shared tax revenues are a critical funding source for local governments; and

WHEREAS, state-shared tax revenues are critical and necessary to maintain stable bond ratings; and

WHEREAS, state-shared tax revenues do not represent state spending, but, instead, represent an efficient, centralized system of taxation to produce revenues for multiple levels of governments; and

WHEREAS, state-shared tax revenues, by law, are deemed to meet constitutional requirements for state mandated funding; and

WHEREAS, state-shared tax revenue losses could result in local property tax increases, reductions in local government services, or a combination of tax increases and service reductions; and

WHEREAS, residents, businesses, and community organizations of the Metropolitan Government deserve, demand, and depend upon essential municipal services; and

WHEREAS, the services provided by the Metropolitan Government have fostered and maintained a high quality of life for residents, a favorable business environment, and a strong community spirit; and

WHEREAS, Tennessee’s local governments, which are already experiencing local budget problems, recognize the seriousness and importance of the state’s budget problem.

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

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting Governor Phil Bredesen and the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to propose, support, and remain open to options and alternatives to keep our revenue sharing system in tact.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Governor Phil Bredesen and to the members of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Phil Ponder, J.B. Loring, Tony Derryberry, Bruce Stanley, Michelle Arriola, James Dillard, Lynn Williams, Charlie Tygard, Amanda McClendon, Ronnie Greer, Ludye Wallace, Feller Brown, Bettye Balthrop, Lawrence Hart, Michael Kerstetter, Saletta Holloway, Ron Turner, Bob Bogen, Edward Whitmore, Don Majors, Leo Waters, Morris Haddox, Adam Dread, Ron Nollner, Melvin Black, Brenda Gilmore, Carolyn Baldwin Tucker, Earl Campbell