Watch the full State of Metro on the city’s YouTube page. | Photo by Metro Photographer Shane Potter
Mayor Freddie O’Connell outlined his proposed $3.8 billion operating budget at the State of Metro yesterday.
Here’s what could be in store for fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1:
Education: MNPS would receive 37% of the budget. Some of the funds will support college and career readiness programs, nurses in every school, and 23 new school resource officers.
Housing: The budget earmarks $45 million for affordable housing and to launch the new Unified Housing Strategy.
Transit: Nashvillians may see increased frequency on bus routes + WeGo Link and WeGo Access expansion. The budget also funds a 29-officer unit focused on transit security.
Safety: First responder agencies could see $49.6 million in new funding, with some directed toward improving fire response times and expanding EMS personnel.
City services: The proposed budget calls for a new standalone Department of Waste Services.
O’Connell also recommends a combined property tax rate of 2.814 (down from the 3.254 rate), though he said rising property values may result in higher tax bills for some homeowners.
What’s next? Metro Council will hold public hearings and departmental meetings before voting in June to approve, amend, or adopt a substitute budget — review how the process works.
Events
Events
Friday, May 2
Metallica Pop-up Shop | Friday, May 2-Saturday, May 3 | Times vary | 660 Lafayette St. | Cost of purchase | When you’re not at the band’s Nissan Stadium shows, shop limited-edition vinyl, screen-printed posters, T-shirts, and custom skateboards.
Flashback Friday Celebration | 10:30 a.m. | Perry’s Steakhouse Cool Springs | Cost of purchase | The first 100 guests in line will receive a card redeemable for a 79-cent Pork Chop Friday lunch, which comes with whipped potatoes, applesauce, and bread.
Saturday, May 3
Boozy Book Fair by the Lake | 5-10 p.m. | TailGate Brewery Hendersonville | Free+ | Local authors will be selling and signing their books across genres.
Vampire Fan Weekend | Saturday, May 3-Sunday, May 4 | Sheraton Music City Hotel | $50+ | Calling all “Twilight” and “The Vampire Diaries” fans — have a fang-filled weekend with actor meet-and-greets, workshops, and a coplay contest.
Sunday, May 4
“Jane Austen’s Garden” Workshop and Signing | 1-3 p.m. | 100 Taylor Street Book & Arts | $60 | Author Molly Williams and illustrator Jessica Roux guide participants through making and illustrating posy bouquets while sharing the meaning of each bloom.
May The Fourth: The Music of “Star Wars” | 8 p.m. | Ascend Amphitheater | $35+ | Enter a galaxy far, far away with the Nashville Symphony as they perform selections from the entire film saga.
Monday, May 5
A Big Night for A Little Sister | 8 p.m. | Brooklyn Bowl Nashville | $179 | Cage the Elephant, Kacey Musgraves, and Brothers Osborne come together for a benefit concert supporting Amanda “Mandy” Pence.
The entertainment venue coming to Nashville Yards just got a new name. Originally announced as EVO Entertainment, the 48,000-sqft space will open this fall as Hooky Nashville Yards, featuring 12 dine-in theaters, bowling, and a restaurant. (Nashville Business Journal)
Eat
Seven bagel spots teamed up for the very first Nashville Bagel Crawl. Grab a falafel sandwich at Mr. Aaron’s Goods or venture over to Bagelshop for its Banoffee Smash special. The crawl runs through Thursday, May 15 — view the five other participants.
Shop
New farmers markets are popping up on the scene. The Nashville Food Project’s Growing Together market opens tomorrow, May 3 and runs every Saturday through Nov. 22 at 299 Haywood Ln. The Downtown Nashville Makers’ Market makes its debut on May 10 and returns monthly on the second Saturday.
Read
Tomorrow, May 3 is Free Comic Book Day. The celebration allows fans to grab free comic books, including titles from franchises like “Spider-Man,” “Archie,” and “Minecraft” at select locations. Use this map to find a participating spot, like Rick’s Comic City.
Travel
The “Jewel of South Carolina,” aka, Lake Murray Country, is full of outdoor activities — from tubing, hiking, and fishing to award-winning attractions and museums. Supported by DiscoverSC, this laid-back destination is the perfect place to stay + play.*
Shop
Tired of smells that linger? This plug-in air purifier boasts a 99.99% deodorization rate that conquers unpleasant pet, toilet, and kitchen odors.*
Category
Nashvillian
Skylar’s trip down memory lane
The thing I cherish most from my time with NASHtoday has to be my friendship with Dylan. | Photo by NASHtoday
In fact, NASHtoday readers are what I love most about this gig. Looking back at Opryland wouldn’t have had the same impact without your contributions, and your interest in reminiscing on businesses of Nashville’s past prompted most of our sister markets to write similar stories.
Goodbyes are tough. I haven’t done the exact math, but I’ve written hundreds of articles in my time here, and I’ve had my fair share of fun on social media. (In case you missed it, here’s my update on what’s next.)
Don’t be a stranger. If you want to bump into me in the wild, find me cheering on Preds, sipping an espresso martini at Le Loup, and strolling around the Richland Park Farmers Market.
The Buy
A soft short-sleeve tee that’s great for spring weather and easy to pair with leggings, shorts, or jeans.
Who’s ready for Banana Ball? NASHtoday’s sister market GVLtoday captured what 81,000 Savannah Bananas fans sound like packed into Clemson’s Memorial Stadium last weekend. The team takes over Nissan Stadium on Saturday, May 10 — send us your photos + clips for the chance to be featured in the newsletter.
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