RESOLUTION NO. RS2013-632

A resolution opposing SB 1285 / HB 1204, which would amend the law governing metropolitan governments in Tennessee to allow satellite cities to have all of the powers of a separate city.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County is currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary as a consolidated government; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of metropolitan consolidated forms of government is to reduce redundancy in local government and eliminate the unnecessary duplication of services; and

WHEREAS, by eliminating duplicative services, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County has been able to maintain a lower property tax rate than the other large cities in Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, legislation is pending in the Tennessee General Assembly (SB 1285 / HB 1204) to allow the smaller satellite cities within the area of the Metropolitan Government to have all powers of a separate city that are authorized under the constitution, its charter, and the general laws of Tennessee; and

WHEREAS, at the time of its adoption, the Metropolitan Charter recognized the continued existence of the satellite cities, but limited the services such satellite cities may provide to those that were being provided in 1962; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Charter includes a mechanism for amending the Charter by referendum, which would be the more appropriate route for the satellite cities to pursue if they desire to expand their services; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to prevent the elimination of the purpose of metropolitan forms of government in Tennessee, the Metropolitan Council desires to publicly voice its opposition to SB 1285 / HB 1204.

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 SB 1285 / HB 1204, which would amend the law governing metropolitan governments in Tennessee to allow satellite cities to have all of the powers of a separate city.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to each member of Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly, and to the members of the House Local Government Committee and the Senate State & Local Government Committee.

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: Ronnie Stein, Megan Barry, Anthony Davis, Doug Pardue, Bruce Stanley Karen Johnson, Bo Mitchell, Fabian Bedne, Sandra Moore, Burkley Allen, Peter Westerholm, Darren Jernigan, Phil Claiborne, Frank Harrison, Jason Potts, Sheri Weiner