Drones & Bonds
🤖 Tonight at Metro Council · Winter storm commission calls for outside investigation into OEM · TN leads the nation in property tax hikes · Much more!
Whitepilled with Scott Greer Join us this Thursday, August 20 for a conversation with writer Scott Greer on how the online Right broke the old conservative order and built Trump's America. (Buy Ticket)
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A few things to watch during tonight's Metro Council meeting.
From Megan Podsiedlik
Music City Center refinancing: A resolution and companion bill on second reading to refinance the convention center’s 2010 bonds, authorize financing for a future expansion, and allow up to $300 million in Convention Center Authority funds to be transferred to the East Bank Development Authority are up for consideration tonight. The companion tax ordinance also extends hotel, rental-car, and related tourism taxes until the convention-center expansion debt is paid off, potentially for decades.
Drone/surveillance bill: A bill that would establish rules for Metro’s use of unmanned aircraft and surveillance technology is on second reading. Two amendments have been proposed regarding how broad Metro’s exceptions should be: Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda’s approach keeps drone use tightly limited to specified emergencies and investigative circumstances, while Councilmember Jacob Kupin’s amendment adds special events as a permissible temporary use, subject to authorization.
Webb contextual overlays: Council Member Jennifer Webb has introduced two bills that would place roughly 137.6 acres in the Shepherd Hills/Twin Hills area and 68.2 acres along Cumberland Hills/Northside Drive under contextual overlays. The overlays are intended to preserve neighborhood character by regulating factors such as setbacks, building height, lot coverage, access, and parking, without changing the underlying zoning. Though the Planning & Zoning Committee recently approved Council Member Jennifer Webb's overlays, it does not override the Planning Commission’s vote to disapprove them. The bills still require a two-thirds majority vote on final reading.
Mayor’s picks: The Mayor’s Office released a list of legislation to watch out for during tonight’s meeting. It includes new requirements for diaper-changing stations in certain public restrooms, along with a grant application for an adult-sized changing table at the Madison Library on final readings; The Music City Center refinancing plan; a proposal to round certain cash payments to Metro to the nearest nickel as pennies become less available on first reading; and several grant measures targeting maternal nutrition, crime lab and ballistics upgrades, and a grant to support Metro Action Commission operations.
New Chair Appointments: Last week, Vice Mayor Angie E. Henderson announced her new picks for Metro Council 2026-2027 Standing Committee Chairs and membership assignments. Four of the seven chairs will change: Jason Spain will replace Kyonzté Toombs as Budget & Finance Chair, Jeff Preptit will replace Jordan Huffman as Public Health & Safety Chair, Jeff Eslick will replace Olivia Hill as Government Operations & Regulations Chair, and Sandra Sepulveda will replace Tom Cash as Rules, Confirmations & Public Elections Chair.
Councilmember Quin Evans Segall will remain the Transportation & Infrastructure Chair, Terry Vo the Arts, Parks, Libraries & Entertainment Chair, and Clay Capp the Charter Revision Chair. Rollin Horton will continue his 2-year term as Planning & Zoning Chair, and Sean Parker continues to chair the Ad Hoc East Bank Committee. The new 2026–27 committee chairs officially take over starting August 31 and have been asked to select a vice chair by August 28.
*Correction: The Planning & Zoning Committee’s approval of Council Member Jennifer Webb’s overlay bills does not override the Planning Commission’s vote to disapprove them. The bills still require a two-thirds majority vote on final reading.
✹ WHITEPILLED
Whitepilled with Scott Greer In his new book Whitepill, Scott Greer traces how the online Right broke the old conservative order and made Trump possible, a history he watched from inside both DC and the subcultures that displaced it. Join us Thursday, August 20 for a conversation on how the Right got here and what it takes to move from rebellion to governing.
Books will be available for purchase. This event benefits The Pamphleteer, Nashville and is priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free, privileged admittance.
TENNESSEE LEADS THE NATION IN PROPERTY TAX HIKES
HEADLINES
- 🧊 Nashville commission calls for outside investigation into emergency management office. Nashville’s Winter Storm Response Commission is calling for an independent investigation of Metro’s Office of Emergency Management, saying it relied too heavily on personal relationships rather than formal plans, training and command structures during the ice storm. The commission also flagged confusion over warming shelters and the delayed move to an in-person Emergency Operations Center, while recommending an outside review and formal accreditation for OEM. (WSMV)
- 🛣 Letters warn South Nashville homeowners of I-24 toll lane property impacts. Federal officials have approved Tennessee’s $5 billion I-24 Choice Lanes project, which would add two toll lanes in each direction along roughly 26 miles between downtown Nashville and I-840 near Murfreesboro while keeping the existing lanes free. South Nashville homeowners have begun receiving letters warning that their properties could be affected. Metro Council member Ginny Welsch said more than 30 homes in her district alone could be lost, although TDOT says no final property acquisitions or eminent-domain actions have occurred. (NewsChannel 5)
- 💰 July Revenues for state of Tennessee, $1.2B surplus. Tennessee collected $2.2 billion in tax revenue in July, coming in $418.2 million above the state’s budgeted estimate and $337.8 million higher than July 2025. For the full August 2025–July 2026 fiscal year, total tax collections were $1.2 billion above expectations, driven particularly by stronger sales-tax and corporate franchise-and-excise tax collections. (TN Gov)
✹ PROPERTY TAX CALCULATOR
What Moved Your Bill? Use our handy new tool to see what contributed to your property tax bill increase: the reappraisal or the rate hike. (Try It Out)
DEVELOPMENT
- Quarry operator pitches 300-acre project with amphitheater, trails and downtown overlook (NBJ)
- Bed Bath & Beyond relocating headquarters to Nashville (Post)
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your council member, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
☮️ Happy Together 2026 @ Ryman Auditorium, 7:30p, $37+, Info
+ with The Association, The Troggs, Chicago lead singer 1985-2016 Jason Scheff, Gary Puckett, The Fortunes, Ron Dante from The Archies and The Turtles, The Vogues and The Cowsills
🪕 The Borrowed Mules @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info
🎸 Persh @ Dee's Lounge, 7p, $10, Info
+ "psychedelic skunk funk"
🎸 Twang Tuesday @ Acme Feed & Seed, 7p, Free, Info
🎸 Honky Tonk Tuesday @ Eastside Bowl, 8p, $10, Info
+ two-step lessons @ 7p, The Cowpokes @ 8p
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.