A Lingering Case of Indigestion
📛 Council second guesses new USD/GSD rates · State to gain law enforcement jurisdiction in Downtown Nashville · Waymo & Waze launch pilot program to identify potholes · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Council second guesses decision to change USD/GSD property tax rates... The state legislature passed a bill that will change law enforcement in Downtown Nashville... Waymo & Waze launch pilot program to identify potholes... And much more!
Terrorism in America Join us Thursday, April 16th for a discussion with domestic terrorism expert Kyle Shideler as we dig into the federal government's response to the Charlie Kirk assassination and what it means for us here locally. (Buy Ticket)
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your councilmember, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
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The council’s heartburn over last budget season is back—with a bite.
From Megan Podsiedlik
On Tuesday, the Metro Council passed a resolution requesting additional research into tax rates and service levels within the Urban Services District (USD) and General Services District (GSD), aiming to ensure taxpayers across Davidson County are treated equitably.
Traditionally, USD residents have paid higher tax rates in exchange for additional services—such as trash and recycling pickup, increased police presence, and enhanced street cleaning. But after last year’s budget adjustments, that gap narrowed dramatically. Now, many GSD residents are paying nearly the same rate as their USD counterparts without receiving the same level of services.
The shift came after the council implemented changes recommended by a years-long study. “As a result, the difference between the tax rates in the GSD and USD went from 33.2 cents to 3.2 cents,” explained Sponsor Jason Spain during this week's meeting.
Councilmember Tonya Hancock expressed the growing frustration among GSD residents, who feel they’re being asked to subsidize the Urban Services District. “I currently pay only—what is it—three cents less in tax than those in the USD, but I also pay for my trash and my recycling and my street lights,” she shared.
Background The current GSD/USD setup is a relic of the old city–county split between services, which merged when Nashville and Davidson County were consolidated into a single government in the 1960s.
The sharp change in rates for FY 2026 came after Raftelis Financial Consultants concluded its USD/GSD Study last April.
Metro hired the firm to answer a pretty simple question: Are Nashville taxpayers in the USD and GSD paying for the services they actually receive?
It’s still unclear exactly how much taxpayers shelled out for the original study.
During this week’s meeting, Councilmember Emily Benedict attempted to defer the new resolution, citing the lack of a fiscal note outlining the cost of further analysis.
“I think if we're going to look for a price, we need to look for the price the other study cost,” said Councilmember Jeff Eslick, who opposed the deferral. “It had no data. It was basically just splitting the math evenly.”
What’s Next? Councilmember Erin Evans also urged colleagues to act sooner rather than later, noting that any future rate adjustments will take time to implement.
“We need to tell people the truth,” said Councilmember Eslick, highlighting that Metro encouraged the blatantly inequitable change. “We are actually going to pay the same amount sooner or later and not get the same amount of services.”
If the council decides to make an adjustment to the USD/GSD rates, it isn’t coming any time soon. Spain’s resolution is nonbinding and primarily signals the intent of the council. Any additional study would require a separate vote, dedicated funding, and sufficient time to produce findings before any policy changes could be considered.
✹ TERRORISM IN AMERICA
Domestic Threats to Americans Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the Trump administration declared its intent to counter domestic terrorism and organized political violence.
These efforts have been ongoing and recently bore some fruit, including major federal convictions and an upcoming international summit focused on countering the left-wing movement Antifa and other groups.
Join us to learn from an expert in the field on domestic threats to the American people, Kyle Shideler, and what the Trump administration's efforts mean for Nashville.
This event is for the benefit of The Pamphleteer, Nashville, and priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free admittance.
BLURBS
🚔 New Sheriff In Town Yesterday, the state legislature passed a bill that will change law enforcement in Downtown Nashville. HB2366 / SB2157 creates a new state-controlled framework for Tourism Development Zones (TDZ) in Tennessee. There are currently eight TDZs, including areas in Memphis, Knoxville, Music City, and others.
State Oversight The legislation empowers Tennessee's Department of Tourist Development and Department of Economic and Community Development to set rules for TDZs that can override local laws, with the goal of protecting and boosting economic activity in those areas. This includes guidelines for street access near businesses, loitering, and cleanliness.
State Law Enforcement The bill also empowers the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) to step in directly and police the areas alongside local authorities. Going forward, this means that the THP has the power to arrest, carry a firearm, and investigate crime within TDZs to potentially address things like street congestion and homeless encampments.
Why Does The State Want This Authority? Tourism Development Zones keep a percentage of taxes that would normally be due to the state. The local government is supposed to reinvest that money back into the tourist area to promote economic growth.
During its final vote in the state senate, bill sponsor Bo Watson (R-Hixon) explained that the state has a vested interest in protecting the economic viability of TDZs, arguing that significant investment in those areas could otherwise have been distributed statewide.
“When local governments, for reasons outside what's enumerated in this bill, choose to close streets and prohibit the movement of commerce, it has an adverse effect on state government, and therefore the state should have an opportunity to intervene,” concluded Watson. “And that's what the bill does.” DAVIS HUNT
& MEGAN PODSIEDLIK
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your councilmember, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
HEADLINES
- 🚗 Waymo & Waze launches pothole program. The driverless ride-share company, which just started offering rides to the public in Nashville, has launched a pilot program with Waze to identify potholes. (NBJ)
- 🛣 TDOT announces a 10-year plan to improve safety on Nolensville Pike. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is already widening the road from two lanes to five lanes, adding turn lanes, sidewalks, and bike lanes. This week, an additional state-funded 10-year plan was also announced, which aims to stretch improvements all the way to the city of Nolensville. TDOT predicts traffic on Nolensville Pike will nearly double over the next 20 years. (NewsChannel 5)
- 🌱 Metro to Launch Countywide Ecological Study The Metro Planning Department is preparing to undertake an 18-month project to assess Davidson County’s environment and strategize ways to address the issues identified in the study. The upcoming study—called the Ecological Conservation Strategy—is set to launch April 17. (Scene)
- 🦆 TN legislature passes bill granting Duck, Buffalo rivers scenic protections. The bill bars mining, commercial timber harvesting, and landfills within two miles of designated scenic rivers. (Lookout)
- 🚧 Lee pushes to ‘break the seal’ to generate transportation funding. In his 2026 budget proposal, Governor Bill Lee included $25 million in new, recurring General Fund revenue for the Tennessee Department of Transportation to address infrastructure needs. This is part of a larger proposed $425 million transportation package that also includes $400 million in one-time funds. In recent budget hearings, Finance Commissioner Jim Bryson pointed out that sourcing the new money from the general fund marks a departure from how the state has gone about paying for road construction. (State Affairs)
- 🎓 Forbes' ‘New Ivies’ list includes Vanderbilt among top 10 private universities. The New Ivies list consists of 10 “outstanding” public universities and 10 private schools that are outpacing the Ivy League in the “eyes of employers.” Forbes said that each of the 20 schools on the list reports that AI fluency has become a critical learning outcome. (WSMV)
DEVELOPMENT
- Utility giant buys $65 million in Nashville real estate, including prime Germantown site (NBJ)
- Downtown Franklin building home to Gray's on Main sells for $5.65 million (NBJ)
- Fairgrounds apartment property sells for $54.4M (Post)
- Schermerhorn site eyed for two digital signs (Post)
- Berry Hill property listed for $1.39M (Post)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🎻 Guerrero Conducts Pétrouchka @ Schermerhown Symphony Center, 7:30p, $29+, Info
🪕 Field Medic @ The Blue Room, 7p, $26, Info
🪕 Fast Track @ Station Inn, 9p, Info
🪕 The Cowpokes @ Acme Feed & Seed, 12p, Free, Info
🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
SATURDAY
🎸 The Avett Brothers and Mike Patton present AVTT/PTTN @ The Pinnacle, 8p, $79+, Info
🪈 Delphica Society Presents: A Fundraiser in Support of Mr. James Zimmerman @ 7p, $100+, Info
🎸 The Clash & The Replacements Tribute Show featuring: Tommy Gun & Hip Replacements @ The Basement, 7p, $12.85, Info
🎵 Moonchild @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, 8p, $48.80+, Info
🎸 Redd Kross @ The Blue Room, $32.51, Info
🎸 Girl Tones @ The Basement, 9p, $12.85, Info
🪕 Special Consensus @ Station Inn, 9p, Info
🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
SUNDAY
🪕 Bluegrass Jam @ Station Inn, 7p, Free, Info
+ a night for musicians and singers from all over the world to gather and enjoy making music together
🪕 Sundays Between with Easy Green @ Tennessee Brew Works, 1p, Info
+ a bluegrass celebration of the music of the Grateful Dead
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.