Breaking down Nashville’s 2023-2024 operating budget
Breaking down Nashville’s $3.2 billion budget as we enter the new fiscal year. | Photo courtesy @angel.visuals
Metro Nashville’s next fiscal year begins on Saturday, July 1, and with it comes the city’s largest operating budget at $3.2 billion.
We know number crunching is not everyone’s cup of tea, so we’re bringing you a breakdown of where the money comes from, how it’s spent, and the biggest budget takeaways.
The big picture
Balancing Metro’s budget each year requires down-to-the-penny management of revenue and expenses. Property and sales taxes make up the bulk of the city’s revenue — and if you’re skimming this story to find any increases — the new budget maintains Nashville’s property tax rate of $3.254 per $100 of assessed value. Here’s where the money comes from:
Property taxes: 51%
Local option sales tax: 23%
Grants and contributions: 15%
All other revenues: 11%
Now, let’s talk about where the money goes. A significant portion of the operating budget each year is allocated to MNPS, with this year’s school budget totaling $1.2 billion. Other city expenses include Metro services like public safety, transportation, and recreation. Here’s a breakdown of the spending:
Education: 37%
Public safety: 20%
General government: 13%
Debt service: 13%
Health and social services: 5%
Infrastructure and transportation: 6%
Recreation and culture: 4 %
Other: 2%
More numbers to know
Along with raises for Metro Nashville and MNPS employees, some of the other expenses in the budget include:
$12.2 million in one-time funds to support a rapid transit route connecting downtown and BNA
One-time funds for sidewalks ($7.5 million), traffic calming ($4 million), and NDOT’s Vision Zero plan ($12 million)
$25.6 million for pre-K classroom additions and renovations
$1.75 million for one-time substitute teacher pay
$75,000 to support Metro Family Safety’s Safe Bar Program
$25,000 in additional funding for Nashville’s Sister Cities program, bringing the total to $95,000
$380,000 for new bus routes in Bellevue to support student transportation to the new Lawson High School
Of course, this only scratches the surface — dive deeper into the full FY 2024 budget at the button below.
Jake Shimabukuro | Tuesday, June 27 | 7:30 p.m. | CMA Theater, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S. | $29.50+ | The ukulele virtuoso will showcase a variety of musical styles, including jazz, rock, blues, bluegrass, folk, and classical.
Broadway Block Party | Tuesday, June 27-Wednesday, June 28 | 3 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena Plaza, 501 Broadway | Free | Help kick off the 2023 NHL Draft with live music, alumni autographs, fan activations, giveaways, and more.
Wednesday, June 28
Jackalope Pride Run | Wednesday, June 28 | 6-9 p.m. | Jackalope Brewing Company, 429B Houston St. | Free+ | Meet back at the taproom after the 5K run or 2-mile walk for drinks and raffles with event proceeds benefiting Just Us at Oasis.
Thursday, June 29
Frist After Five Film: “Moonlight” | Thursday, June 29 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Frist Art Museum, 919 Broadway | Free | Catch a screening of this 2016 coming-of-age drama, which took home the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Brass Band of Nashville Summer Concert | Thursday, June 29 | 7-8 p.m. | Vine Street Christian Church, 4101 Harding Pk. | Free | The Brass Band of Nashville hosts its second concert of the season with a special patriotic theme.
Friday, June 30
Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration | Friday, June 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 1 Symphony Pl. | $32+ | Garland’s songbook comes back to life with rare interviews, family photos, and vintage footage of “The Judy Garland Show.”
Little Indigo Pop-Up Shop | Friday, June 30 | 12-4 p.m. | Little Indigo, 1604 16th Ave. S. | Cost of purchase | Explore a curated selection of products from Link x Lou, handmade jewelry by Clay Bae Designs, treats from Lolly’s Craft Bakery, and plants from Easy to Love Plants.
Saturday, July 1
Monster Jam World Finals | Saturday, July 1 | 6 p.m. | Nissan Stadium, 1 Titans Way | $50+ | See some of the best monster trucks and world-class drivers as they compete for a total of four championships in racing, freestyle, skills, and high jump competitions.
Music City Jerk Festival | Saturday, July 1 | 1:30-7:30 p.m. | The Green at Riverfront Park, 310 1st Ave. S. | Cost of purchase | Enjoy Caribbean food and family entertainment at this annual event.
Former Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne will be the team’s new European development coach and scout. Rinne, who served as a “special alumni advisor” last season, will work with all goaltenders in the organization and scout European-based goalies. He will be based in Finland.
Development
The Malin, a “work-focused members club,” will open at Paseo South Gulch’s Bill Voorhees Building this fall. The Wedgewood-Houston location, which was announced earlier this year, is expected to open slightly before The Malin South Gulch. (Nashville Business Journal)
Ranking
Smyrna ranked No. 46 on Fortune’s “50 Best Places to Live for Families” list. With a population of 54,702, the report calls attention to Smyrna Depot Days, greenways, and more. (Nashville Business Journal)
Health
Ascension Saint Thomas will visit the Green Hills Family YMCA tomorrow, June 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The mobile health unit offers a range of services, including sports and school physicals + adult wellness visits for ages 3 and older.
Sports
TSU will host two all-star basketball games on Saturday, July 1 as part of the Deserve 2 Win All Star Celebrity Weekend. The first game begins at 1 p.m. with former NBA players, current college players + local celebrities, followed by a Nashville Pro Am opening game at 3 p.m. Get tickets.
Pets
Looking for a furever friend? Metro Animal Care and Control is waiving adoption fees through the end of July. Visit MACC at 5125 Harding Pl. (open daily from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) to visit the ~90 pets available for adoption. (WZTV)
Trending
Barbie fever is in the air this summer, even in Music City. This hot pink East Nashville home was featured in the New York Times for its vibrant exterior, pink appliances, and rosy hues throughout. Bonus: House Of Adora can be rented for photoshoots — life-size Barbie box included.
Shop
We’re excited to introduce, Trailblazing Love, the newest brand added to our online store (Six & Main). From camping to coastal adventures, this local business inspires couples to explore the world and nurture their relationships through outdoor-based activity boxes. Shop the perfect activity box now.
Eat
🍴 Put this on your restaurant radar
From New York to Music City: Get ready to dine at Philippe Chow
While we wait for Philippe Chow to open, take a look at the Washington, DC location. | Photo via Philippe Chow
New York-based, upscale Chinese restaurant Philippe Chow is getting ready to set the table at Cummins Station next year.
Named after the owner and executive chef, the 10,000-sqft restaurant will be one of the first Philippe Chow locations outside of NYC, where the flagship restaurant opened in Manhattan nearly two decades ago.
What to eat + sip
The Nashville location will feature the brand’s “Beijing-style dishes” like salt and pepper lobster, glazed spare ribs, and filet mignon with oyster sauce. Other foodie favorites include dumplings + hand-pulled noodles.
The cocktail program will offer selections like an old fashioned made with coconut, banana and cacao + espresso and lychee martinis.
The triple-digit summer heat could be coming our way this week. Cool down with a snoball from Icy Boys in East Nashville, now open at the corner of McFerrin Avenue and Cleveland Street. If you want to beat the heat entirely, arrive starting at 7 a.m. for your choice of breakfast sandwich — like this one we picked up last week.
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