‘It’s basically retaliation’: Metro Council could be downsized by Tennessee’s Republican legislature

The Metro Council could get a lot smaller under an idea being floated in the Tennessee General Assembly, though this isn’t the first time the topic has come up.

Republicans in the Legislature have confirmed to WPLN on background that discussions are taking place to downsize Nashville’s 40-member council. One of those members, John Rutherford, says he’s heard those rumblings, too.  

“The conversation started after the vote on the Republican Convention,” said Rutherford.

That was back in August when the council voted against hosting the RNC in 2024, irking top Republican lawmakers in the state. Shortly after, Milwaukee was chosen as the host city.

Rutherford says the move to downsize is quote “basically retaliation.”

“Frankly I think any decision on the makeup or the size or altering in any way of Metro Council should be something decided on by the people of Metro and not a legislative body that comes from all across the state,” said Rutherford.

Talks to shrink the council in the past led to a vote in 2015. Sixty percent of Nashville voters chose to keep it the same size.

Metro Council is the third largest in the U.S. behind Chicago and New York city councils.