A resolution requesting the Mayor, the Director of Finance, and all departments and agencies of the Metropolitan Government to provide the Council with information regarding the amount of a five percent reduction in each department's budget and the effect such a reduction would have.

WHEREAS, during the second half of fiscal year 2004, the Director of Finance requested all Metropolitan Government departments to identify ten and fifteen percent cuts in their budgets, respectively, for purposes of balancing the fiscal year 2005 budget; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government was ultimately able to reduce department operating budgets by 7.4% for fiscal year 2005 as a result of the exercise in identifying budget cuts; and

WHEREAS, in June 2005, the Council adopted a substantial property tax increase and motor vehicle regulatory license fee increase to fund a $1.45 billion operating budget for the Metropolitan Government; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Board of Public Education did not receive approximately $30 million in requested funding, which the board felt was necessary to ensure that the educational needs of our children are being met; and

WHEREAS, identifying additional reductions in departmental operating budgets and the effects of such reductions would greatly assist the Council in determining funding priorities for fiscal year 2007.

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 the Mayor, the Director of Finance, and all departments and agencies of the Metropolitan Government to provide the Council with information regarding the amount of a five percent reduction in each department's budget and the effect such a reduction would have.

Section 2. The Mayor and the Director of Finance are further requested to respond to the Council within sixty (60) days from the date of the adoption of this Resolution as to the feasibility of and/or action taken in compliance with the request in Section 1 hereof.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this Resolution to Mayor Purcell, to David Manning, the Director of Finance, and to the director ofeach Metropolitan Government department, board and commission.

Section 4. 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: Ludye Wallace