Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County

The Metropolitan Council (officially the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County) is the legislative body of the consolidated city-county government of Nashville, Tennessee and Davidson County.

Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County
Logo
Type
Type
Term limits
2 consecutive four-year terms
Leadership
Vice Mayor and Metropolitan Council President
President pro tempore
Dave Rosenberg
Structure
Seats40 Seats:
5 At-Large Seats 
35 District Seats
Committees— Budget and Finance
– Charter Revision
– Codes, Fair, and Farmer's Market
– Convention, Tourism, and Public Entertainment Facilities
– Education
– Health, Hospitals, and Social Services
– Parks, Library, and Arts
– Personnel, Public Information, Human Relations, and Veterans
– Planning, Zoning, and Historical
– Public Safety, Beer, and Regulated Beverages
– Public Works
– Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections
– Traffic, Parking, and Transportation
Length of term
Four (4) Years
Elections
Last election
August 1, 2019
Next general election
August 1, 2023
Website
https://www.nashville.gov/Metro-Council.aspx

Membership

The Council has 40 members, 35 of which are district council representatives, and five of which are council members at-large. If an at-large member resigns or dies before serving a full four-year term, the member's seat remains vacant until the next election. If a district council members resigns or dies more than eight months before the end of their four-year term, a special election is held to fill the seat. At-large council members are elected by the entirety of the area the metropolitan government encompasses. The Metropolitan Council is the 3rd largest in the United States, behind the Chicago City Council and the New York City Council.[1] The Historic Metro Courthouse, 1 Public Square, is where the Council meets.

Under the Metropolitan Charter, members must be over the age of 25 and have lived within Davidson County for a year at the beginning of their terms. Members must also have lived in the district they represent for six months, and they must continue to reside in that district for the duration of their terms. In 2019, according to The Tennessean, annual salaries for council members increased for the first time since 2005 from $15,000 to $23,100.[2] The members elected by districts represent 15,000 to 17,000 residents each, and all Metro Council members serve part-time. According to the Charter as currently amended, members are elected to no more than two terms consecutively, not including any partial term to which they may have been elected. However, district member and at-large member are considered to be separate offices for the purposes of this provision.

In the 2015 municipal elections, two amendments to the Metropolitan Nashville Charter which would have increased term limits for members of the Council, both at large and district-wide to three consecutive terms, as well as reducing the size of the council to 27 members, were proposed. Both amendments failed with Davidson County voters.

President of the Council

The popularly elected vice mayor is the President of the Metropolitan Council and serves as its presiding officer, but is not a member of the Metro Council and does not vote except to break ties. The vice mayor, a part-time position, is paid $25,230 annually.[2]

Members elect a president pro tempore to serve in the absence of the Vice Mayor, and a deputy president pro tempore once the president pro tempore becomes presiding officer due to the Vice Mayor's death or resignation. Members of the Metro Council who act as presiding officer during the Vice Mayor's absence retain their right to vote on all resolutions and ordinances.

Jim Shulman is the incumbent vice mayor.[3] Dave Rosenberg is the president pro tempore.

Operations

Two-thirds of the Metropolitan Council are required to constitute a quorum before the business of the council can be conducted. The council holds regular meetings each first and third Tuesday of each month. In addition, with 48 hours' written notice, a special meeting may be called by the mayor or the vice mayor. It may also be requested by the majority of the council, which would require 21 votes in favor of the meeting. Meetings are broadcast live on Metro 3 and are archived on the Nashville government website.

The mayor may veto resolutions and ordinances passed by the Metropolitan Council, but the veto can be overridden with a two-thirds majority of the Council. With three-fourths of the entire council in favor, and not subject to veto, investigations may be conducted by the whole council or its committees.

Committees

Current Council Committees[4]
Name No. of Members Chair Vice Chair
Budget and Finance 12 Kyonztè Toombs Delishia Porterfield
Charter Revision 8 Jeff Syracuse
Codes, Fair, and Farmer's Market 11 Tom Cash Tonya Hancock
Convention, Tourism, and Public Entertainment Facilities 7 Sandra Sepulveda
Education 10 Thom Druffel Erin Evans
Health, Hospitals, and Social Services 7 Brandon Taylor Ginny Welsch
Parks, Library, and Arts 10 Nancy VanReece Joy Styles
Personnel, Public Information, Human Relations, Housing 7 John Rutherford Gloria Hausser
Planning, Zoning, and Historical 16 Kathleen Murphy Brett Withers
Public Safety, Beer, and Regulated Beverages 8 Jennifer Gamble Dave Rosenberg
Public Works 12 Bob Nash Russ Bradford
Rules, Confirmations, and Public Elections 8 Courtney Johnston Russ Pulley
Traffic, Parking, and Transportation 6 Freddie O'Connell Tanaka Vercher
Ad Hoc Affordable Housing 10 Zulfat Suara Sean Parker

Size reduction

In 2005, mayor Bill Purcell called for cutting the number of legislators in the council down to 20 in a proposal in which fifteen seats would be elected by districts and five seats would remain at-large. In 2006 the Metro Charter Review Commission scheduled a public hearing on the council's size. In a poll by The Tennessean, 21 councillors favored keeping the council as it is, and nine favored a reduction in the size of the council.

Dissidents said that if the size of the council were to be reduced, being elected could become a matter of who can raise the most money, and special interests may get involved. Other concerns voiced included council members not being able to get in contact with their constituents, the council becoming less ethnically diverse, and council membership changing from a part-time to a full-time job. Councilwoman Amanda McClendon said a reduction in size may make it easier to pass legislation.

In 2023, the state government enacted a law reducing the size of the Metro Council from 40 members to 20.[5] The move was widely opposed by Nashville residents and leaders. In April 2023, a court issued an injunction against the change, indicating that it unconstitutionally changed election procedures during the campaign.[6]

Current membership, 2019–2023

DistrictNameArea(s)/Neighborhoods Represented
At-Large, Seat 1 Bob Mendes Davidson County
At-Large, Seat 2 Sharon Hurt Davidson County
At-Large, Seat 3 Burkley Allen Davidson County
At-Large, Seat 4 Steve Glover* Davidson County
At-Large, Seat 5 Zulfat Suara Davidson County
1Jonathan HallBordeaux, Joelton, Whites Creek, Scottsboro
2Kyonztè ToombsNorth Nashville, Bordeaux, Metro Center
3Jennifer GambleBrick Church, Goodlettsville, Madison, Whites Creek
4Robert SwopeBrentwood
5Sean ParkerEast Nashville, Cleveland Park, Maxwell Heights
6Brett WithersEast Nashville, Lockeland Springs, Rosebank
7Emily BenedictEast Nashville, Inglewood, Madison
8Nancy VanReeceEast Nashville, Inglewood, Madison
9Tonya HancockMadison
10Zach YoungGoodlettsville, Madison
11Larry HagarOld Hickory, Hermitage
12Erin EvansHermitage
13Russ BradfordDonelson, Airport
14Kevin RhotenDonelson, Hermitage
15Jeff SyracuseDonelson, Opryland
16Ginny WelschSouth Nashville, Woodbine
17Colby SledgeSouth Nashville, Fairgrounds, Berry Hill, 12 South
18Tom CashSouth Nashville, Waverly-Belmont, Vanderbilt
19Freddie O'ConnellNorth Nashville, South Nashville, Downtown
20Mary Carolyn RobertsWest Nashville, The Nations, Cockrill Bend
21Brandon TaylorNorth Nashville, West End, Midtown, TSU
22Gloria HausserWest Nashville, Bellevue
23Thom DruffelWest Nashville, Belle Meade
24Kathleen MurphyWest Nashville, Sylvan Park
25Russ PulleyOak Hill, Green Hills
26Courtney JohnstonCrieve Hall, Paragon Mills
27Robert NashSoutheast Nashville, Tusculum
28Tanaka VercherSoutheast Nashville, Antioch
29Delisha PorterfieldAntioch North-Priest Lake
30Sandra SepulvedaHaywood-Tusculum
31John RutherfordAntioch West, Cane Ridge
32Joy StylesAntioch Central
33Antoinette LeeAntioch South, Cane Ridge
34Angie HendersonOak Hill, Forest Hills
35Dave RosenbergBellevue
  • Steve Glover resigned on March 1, 2022

Historical membership

2015–2019 Memberships

Council Leadership
Office Person
Vice Mayor and President Jim Shulman
President pro tempore Sheri Weiner
DistrictName
AL 1 John Cooper
AL 2 Erica Gilmore
AL 3 Bob Mendes
AL 4 Sharon Hurt
AL 5 Vacant
1Jonathan Hall
2DeCosta Hastings
3Brenda Haywood
4Robert Swope
5Scott Davis
6Brett Withers
7Anthony Davis
8Nancy VanReece
9Bill Pridemore
10Doug Pardue
11Larry Hagar
12Steve Glover
13Holly Huezo
14Kevin Rhoten
15Jeff Syracuse
16Mike Freeman
17Colby Sledge
18Burkley Allen
19Freddie O'Connell
20Mary Carolyn Roberts
21Ed Kindall
22Sheri Weiner
23Mina Johnson
24Kathleen Murphy
25Russ Pulley
26Jeremy Elrod
27Davette Blalock
28Tanaka Vercher
29Delisha Porterfield*[7]
30Jason Potts
31Fabian Bedne
32Jacobia Dowell
33Antoinette Lee
34Angie Henderson
35Dave Rosenberg

*Loniel Greene served as District 1 councilman from September 2015 until his resignation on January 29, 2016. A special election to name his replacement is scheduled for August 2016. Nashville Attorney and WTVF-TV Legal Analyst Nick Leonardo, who narrowly lost to Greene in the prior race, ran again with numerous endorsements by community organizations including The Nashvillian newspaper winning the election for District 1 Councilmember.

*David Briley served as vice mayor until March 6, 2018 when he became acting mayor upon the resignation of Mayor Megan Barry. Council member Sheri Weiner was initially named interim vice mayor at that time with council member Burkley Allen later being appointed interim vice mayor. Briley was subsequently elected to complete Barry's unexpired term as mayor on May 24, 2018. Council member Jim Shulman was ultimately elected to complete Briley's unexpired term as vice mayor on September 6, 2018.[8]

*Karen Johnson served as District 29 Councilwoman from 2015–2018. She was elected to the countywide office of Davidson County Register of Deeds in 2018. Delishia Porterfield was elected March 19, 2019 in a special election to fill the remainder of the term until the August 1, 2019 General Election for Metro Councilmember District 29.

Membership, 2011–2015

Council members

DistrictName
1stLonnell Matthews, Jr
2ndFrank Harrison
3rdWalter Hunt
4thBrady Banks
5thScott Davis
6thPeter Westerholm
7thAnthony Davis
8thKaren Bennett
9thBill Pridemore
10thDoug Pardue
11thDarren Jernigan
12thSteve Glover
13thJosh Stites
14thBruce Stanley
15thPhil Claiborne
16thTony Tenpenny
17thSandra Moore
18thBurkley Allen
19thErica Gilmore
20thBuddy Baker
21stEdith Langster
22ndSheri Weiner
23rdEmily Evans
24thJason Holleman
25thSean McGuire
26thChris Harmon
27thDavette Blalock
28thDuane Dominy
29thKaren Johnson
30thJason Potts
31stFabien Bedne
32ndJacobia Dowell
33rdRobert Duvall
34thCarter Todd
35thBo Mitchell

Council members at large

  • Tim Garrett
  • Megan Barry
  • Charlie Tygard
  • Jerry Maynard
  • Ronnie Stiene

Vice mayor

  • Diane Neighbors

Membership, 2007–2011

Council members

DistrictName
1stLonnell Matthews, Jr
2ndFrank Harrison
3rdWalter Hunt
4thMichael Craddock
5thJamie Hollin
6thMike Jameson
7thErik Cole
8thJason Hart
9thJim Forkum
10thRip Ryman
11thDarren Jernigan
12thJim Gotto
13thCarl Burch
14thBruce Stanley
15thPhil Claiborne
16thAnna Page
17thSandra Moore
18thKristine LaLonde
19thErica Gilmore
20thBuddy Baker
21stEdith Langman
22ndEric Crafton
23rdEmily Evans
24thJason Holleman
25thSean McGuire
26thGreg Adkins
27thRandy Foster
28thDuane Dominy
29thVivian Wilhoite
30thJim Hodge
31stParker Toler
32ndSam Coleman
33rdRobert Duvall
34thCarter Todd
35thBo Mitchell

Council members at large

  • Tim Garrett
  • Megan Barry
  • Charlie Tygard
  • Jerry Maynard
  • Ronnie Stiene

Vice mayor

  • Diane Neighbors

Membership, 2003–2007

Council members

DistrictName
1stBrenda Gilmore
2ndJamie Isabel
3rdChester Hughes*
4thMichael Craddock
5thPam Murray
6thMike Jameson
7thErik Cole
8thJason Hart
9thJim Forkum
10thRip Ryman
11thFeller Brown
12thJim Gotto
13thCarl Burch
14thHarold White
15thJ.B. Loring
16thAmanda McClendon*
17thRonnie Greer
18thGinger Hausser
19thLudye Wallace
20thBilly Joe Walls
21stEdward Whitmore
22ndEric Crafton
23rdChris Whitson*
24thJohn Summers
25thJim Shulman
26thGreg Adkins
27thRandy Foster
28thJason Alexander
29thVivian Wilhoite
30thMichael Kerstetter*
31stParker Toler
32ndSam Coleman
33rdTommy Bradley*
34thLynn Williams
35thCharles Tygard

Council members at large

Vice mayor

  • Howard Gentry

* Member resigned or died before the next election date. On December 18, 2004, Chester Hughes died from brain cancer. Chris Whitson and Tommy Bradley resigned on September 20, 2005 and March 16, 2006, respectively. Michael Kersetter resigned April 5, 2006 to run for a seat on the Metro school board. Chester Hughes was replaced by Walter Hunt. Jim Hodge replaced Michael Kerstetter. Robert Duvall replaced Tommy Bradley. Emily Evans replaced Chris Whitson. On September 1, 2006, Amanda McClendon became a Judge of the Second Circuit Court for the 20th Judicial District and was replaced by Anna Page.

Membership, 1999–2003

Council members

DistrictName
1stBrenda Gilmore
2ndMelvin Black
3rdRon Nollner
4thDon Majors
5thLawrence Hall, Jr.
6thEileen Beehan
7thEarl Campbell
8thLawrence Hart
9thJames Dillard
10thBettye Balthrop
11thFeller Brown
12thTony Derryberry
13thBruce Stanley
14thHarold White
15thJ.B. Loring
16thAmanda McClendon
17thRonnie Greer
18thGinger Hausser
19thLudye Wallace
20thMorris Haddox
21stEdward Whitmore
22ndNorma Hand
23rdBob Bogen
24thJohn Summers
25thJim Shulman
26thMichelle Arriola
27thJanis Sontany
28thJason Alexander
29thSaletta Holloway
30thMichael Kerstetter
31stDon Knoch
32ndCraig Jenkins
33rdRon Turner
34thLynn Williams
35thVic Lineweaver

Council members at large

Vice mayor

**Ronnie Steine resigned in 2002, and Howard Gentry became the interim vice mayor until later being elected vice mayor in 2003.

Membership, 1995–1999

Council members

DistrictName
1stRegina Patton
2ndMelvin Black
3rdRon Nollner
4thDon Majors
5thFrank Harrison
6thEileen Beehan
7thEarl Campbell
8thLawrence Hart
9thJames Dillard
10thTim Garrett
11thMike Wooden
12thPhil Ponder
13thCharles O. French
14thJames Bruce Stanley
15thRoy Dale
16thJerry Wayne Graves
17thMansfield Douglas
18thStewart Clifton
19thJulius Sloss
20thMorris Haddox
21stWillis McCallister
22ndJohn Aaron Holt
23rdEric Crafton
24thHorace Johns
25thDavid Kleinfelter
26thMichelle Arriola
27thJanis Sontany
28thDurward Hall
29thSaletta Holloway
30thLeroy Hollis
31stTom Alexander
32ndCraig Jenkins
33rdRon Turner
34thCharles Fentress
35thVic Lineweaver

Council members at large

Vice mayor

References

  1. Johnson, J. Edward (2016). "Council sizes throughout the United States" (PDF). Columbus, Ohio: The City of Columbus Charter Review Committee.
  2. Garrison, Joey (20 June 2017). "Nashville council passes $2.2B Metro budget, pay increase for council members". Tennessean. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  3. "Metropolitan Nashville Council Members".
  4. "Nashville > Metro Council > Council Committees". www.nashville.gov. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  5. Brown, Melissa; Stephenson, Cassandra. "Gov. Lee signs bill to slash Nashville council in half". The Tennessean. Nashville. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  6. West, Emily (2023-04-10). "Judge temporarily halts plan to shrink Metro Council". News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF). Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  7. Gonzalez, Tony. "Newest Metro Council Member Wins By 25 Votes". www.nashvillepublicradio.org. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
  8. Garrison, Joey (6 Sep 2018). "Jim Shulman elected Nashville vice mayor in lopsided runoff election". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee.
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