A resolution requesting the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to introduce and enact legislation that would enable the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to adopt a budget without approval of the Metropolitan Council, and to levy such tax as may be necessary to fully fund the adopted budget.

WHEREAS, §49-2-101 of the Tennessee Code Annotated provides that the county legislative body shall adopt a budget for the operation of county schools, and to levy such taxes as may be necessary to meet the budget submitted by the county board of education and adopted by the county legislative body; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Board of Education has approved a $570 million budget for fiscal year 2006, an increase of approximately $60 million over the fiscal year 2005 budget; and

WHEREAS, in order to fund the school board's budget request, the Metropolitan Council would have to raise ad valorem property taxes by approximately $1.03 per $100 of assessed value; and

WHEREAS, if the school board had the authority under state law to adopt a budget and set a tax levy without Council approval or a referendum, the members of the board of education would be better able to adequately provide for the educational needs of the students, and would be held accountable to the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County to ensure that appropriate progress is being made.

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 Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to introduce and enact legislation that would enable the Metropolitan Board of Public Education to adopt a budget without approval of the Metropolitan Council, and to levy such tax as may be necessary to fully fund the adopted budget.

Section 2. That the Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution by U.S. mail or electronic mail to each member 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: Ludye Wallace