Your Daily Guide

💰 We Have a Budget!

At Tuesday’s Metro Council meeting, councilmembers passed a $3.8 billion city budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Budget Committee Chair Kyonzté Toombs made $9 million in changes to the mayor’s proposed budget, based on public feedback and councilmember wishlists. The budget goes into effect on July 1. [Nashville Banner; 🎧 City Cast Nashville]

Here are some of the items included in the budget:

• A reduction in Nashville’s grocery tax, which will save the average family $72 a year
• Pay plans for city employees
• Funding for the Office of Entertainment
• An $800,000 performance audit of Metro Nashville Public Schools
• Increased funding to the Barnes Fund, Nashville’s affordable housing trust, as well as city programs like Responders Engaged and Committed to Helping, Eviction Right to Counsel, Nashville General Hospital, and Hospitality Hub
• Added spending for nonprofits The Contributor, Neighbor to Neighbor, The Branch, and Music City Construction Careers [Nashville Banner]

Yes, but: Metro Council also passed the Central Business Improvement District’s proposed budget after it failed at the last meeting (and there was nearly a fight on the council floor). The Nashville Downtown Partnership only changed its budget by $1 for the reconsideration; it passed because more councilmembers were present to vote. NDP uses fees it collects from the downtown entertainment district to fund cleaning services, programming, and additional law enforcement. [Nashville Banner; 🎧 City Cast Nashville]

• The NDP has come under fire for using off-duty Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers for patrols, arresting unhoused folk, and its potential involvement in the library garage fire, for which Nashville’s insurer, Travelers, is currently suing them. [Nashville Banner]

Metro Parks budget concerns: Metro Parks faces $127.6 million in postponed repairs and maintenance projects, up from $70 million in 2017. “It’s really unacceptable, actually, that we have such a big backlog,” said Councilmember Ginny Welsch, who blames a lack of prioritization. [WKRN]

• At Tuesday’s meeting, Metro Council passed an agreement with Metro Parks to build and maintain a multi-use pedestrian greenway at East Nashville’s Cayce Landing riverfront park. [WKRN]

🏞️ Shelby Park’s Big Makeover

Shelby Park’s Cornelia Fort Airpark is a favorite spot for families, cyclists, skaters, and dogs — so why did they set it on fire last year? On today’s podcast, Friends of Shelby director of community engagement Grant England explains the native grassland reconstruction taking place at the former airport, as well as ways you can help with that and other conservation projects in your own backyard. Heads up: The next airpark restoration closure starts June 22. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🪧 Is This Sign Allowed?

After Metro Codes demanded that a small business remove its sandwich board sign in the grass easement in front of the business, Councilmember Jordan Huffman wrote a bill allowing for such signage, which was passed in May. But the bill fails to cover similar signage on private property, and even painting a business’s name on a window requires a permit. Meanwhile, some small business owners feel like there’s a double standard, with big corporations getting away with similar advertising without repercussions. [Nashville Scene]

🏗️ Will East Bank Construction Be Finished in Time?

East Bank Development Authority officials are working with a 40-month deadline to complete major infrastructure ahead of Super Bowl LXIV. The timeline is “very tight,” according to the authority’s communications director, though he adds he feels confident the area will be ready to host the event. [WKRN]

• We spoke with Councilmember Emily Benedict about plans for the East Bank and whether it will be just another place for tourists or can really become a new neighborhood for locals. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]

🏘️ Beware of This Rental Scam

The Metro Nashville Police Department has received about 200 reports of fake rental scams this year. Scammers use photos and descriptions from legitimate listings on Zillow and Apartments.com to create fraudulent listings on Facebook and Craigslist. Victims are asked to pay a security deposit, and are sometimes even provided with fake lease agreements. MNPD recommends comparing listings across multiple websites, and verifying the name, phone number, and email address of the property owner or realtor. [WKRN]