How the Mayor’s Community Improvement Plan affects Old Hickory
Mayor Freddie O'Connell has unveiled his second Community Improvement Program (CIP), a $527 million initiative designed to enhance Nashville's infrastructure, education and public services.
This plan, presented to the Metro Council, reflects a commitment to improving the quality of life for all Nashvillians. We had Brian Sexton, Manager, Council Legislative Affairs come to our June neighborhood meeting discuss some of the key priorities, primarily revolving around schools, services, and safety.
The Mayor’s CIP boasts the lowest property tax in Metro history as our General Services District is lowered from $2.922 to $2.72. However, the plan acknowledges that even with a generally lower tax rate, some residents will pay more in property taxes as the median home is considered 45% more valuable than their last appraisals.
Meeting attendees flagged that the discrepancy between our proposed General Services District (GSD) tax rate of $2.72 and the Urban Services District (USD) tax rate of $2.814 is too thin of a margin for the comparative number of services provided by the city like trash pick-up and street lights. GSD council members are strategizing on how to ensure comparative rates are fair. Sexton also provided this infographic providing additional information, such as GSD occupying 72% of the emergency services coverage area but only paying 23% of the cost. There have also been discussions about expanding the USD to include additional areas currently within the GSD. However, such expansions have received and mixed response. On one hand, they would begin receiving additional city services, but it would bring more neighborhoods under the higher tax rate.
Public safety was another focal point of Sexton’s presentation. The plan entails 36 new police officer hires, a new fire company and transit safety division, and an expansion of mental health co-response and youth safety officers. Sexton also spoke to a proposed new police Southeast precinct south of Hermitage, stating that it would create better coverage of Old Hickory as Hermitage officers would have less ground to cover.
Sexton also spoke upon education, boasting Metro Nashville Public Schools’ highest graduation rate ever and a desire to build upon that success. Additional funding would support mental health initiatives, college and career readiness, summer tutoring, school safety, and ensuring every school has a nurse.
Finally, Sexton touched upon city services. While Old Hickory does not receive city services such as trash pick-up, we benefit from a number of city services such as sewage, clean water, housing and social services, pot hole filling, and many of the services provided by hubNashville.
For more any additional questions or information, please contact Brian Sexton at mayor@nashville.gov or 615-862-6000. Additionally, read more about the information provided by Council Member Erin Evans last month.