A resolution requesting Governor Phil Bredesen, Mayor Bill Purcell, Senator Lamar Alexander, and a representative from the Metropolitan Council Office to meet together to discuss alternative funding methods for public education.

WHEREAS, state law requires that county legislative bodies levy such taxes as may be necessary to fully fund the county board of education's budget adopted by the legislative body; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government is presently limited in its taxing authority to the ad valorem property tax, the local option sales tax, and the local business tax; and

WHEREAS, in June 2005, the Metropolitan Council approved a budget for the Metropolitan Board of Public Education in the amount of $542,250,500; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Education had requested $567,000,000 to fully fund their recommended budget, which would have required an additional seventeen cent increase in the property tax levy over and above the increase that was adopted; and

WHEREAS, on September 13, 2005, the voters of Davidson County will decide whether to increase the local option sales tax by one-half percent to provide additional funding for schools; and

WHEREAS, due to the regressive nature of the sales tax, it is fitting and proper that federal, state, and local leaders convene to discuss alternative methods of funding public education.

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, Mayor Bill Purcell, Senator Lamar Alexander, and a representative from the Metropolitan Council Office to meet together to discuss alternative funding methods for public education.

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

Section 3. That 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: Jamie Isabel, Pam Murray