Council Hopes to Take Final Budget Vote This Week

The Metro Council hopes to take a final vote on Davidson County’s $1.5 billion budget this week.

Almost all Metro departments had to cut their operating budgets under the Mayor’s proposal, except the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

Budget and Finance Chair Jim Forkum says Council members have wanted to restore step raises and longevity pay for Metro employees. But now he says the goal may be to just save as many jobs as possible.

“We don’t have a whole lot of wiggle room. We don’t have a lot of extra money to rob Peter to pay Paul because if we start pulling money from other areas, basically, we’re looking at, how many people are we going to still wind up laying off.”

Over 300 positions will be cut in general government and an additional 200 are being eliminated in Metro Schools.

Any changes council members want to make to the Mayor’s budget should be available today.