RESOLUTION NO. RS2011-1607

A resolution opposing any state legislation that would change the Metropolitan Mayor, Vice Mayor, and/or Council terms of office to coincide with November partisan elections.

WHEREAS, the founders of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County chose to make local elected offices non-partisan; and

WHEREAS, the offices of Metropolitan Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council have been non-partisan since the Charter became effective in 1963; and

WHEREAS, Section 15.01 of the Metropolitan Charter provides that the election for these offices is to be held on the first Thursday of the month every four years from and after 1971; and

WHEREAS, legislation is currently pending in the Tennessee General Assembly that would attempt to override the Metropolitan Charter and require the elections for the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Members of Council to be held at the November Presidential elections; and

WHEREAS, having Metropolitan elections coincide with partisan Presidential elections would negatively impact the democratic process and destroy the purpose of having a non-partisan elected body; and

WHEREAS, local governments in Tennessee should have the freedom and authority to make decisions that are solely applicable to the Metropolitan Government without state interference; and

WHEREAS, the stated purpose of the pending state legislation is to address the problems associated with having the redistricting process in the same year as Council elections; and

WHEREAS, if the citizens of the Metropolitan Government desire to have the Metropolitan elections coincide with November partisan elections, the Metropolitan Charter includes a mechanism for amending the Charter to provide for such on a local level

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 opposing any state legislation that would change the Metropolitan Mayor, Vice Mayor, and/or Council terms of office to coincide with November partisan elections.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Vice Mayor is requested to charge the Council Charter Revision Committee with examining the need to amend the Metropolitan Charter to address the concerns associated with the consideration of new Council districts in an election year.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.

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: Jerry Maynard, Ronnie Steine, Megan Barry, Bo Mitchell, Lonnell Matthews, Mike Jameson, Erica Gilmore, Sam Coleman, Greg Adkins, Walter Hunt, Frank Harrison, Sandra Moore, Buddy Baker, Edith Taylor Langster, Parker Toler, Darren Jernigan, Jamie Hollin, Rip Ryman, Anna Page, Erik Cole, Sean McGuire, Tim Garrett, Jim Forkum, Emily Evans, Carter Todd, Randy Foster, Bruce Stanley, Kristine LaLonde, Vivian Wilhoite, Jason Holleman

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	April 12, 2011
Deferred:	April 12, 2011
Adopted:	April 19, 2011 - Roll Call Vote
Approved:	April 21, 2011
By: