NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Mayor David Briley delivered his second State of Metro address Tuesday morning, where he outlined his plans for the City of Nashville.
Briley said his four priorities are education, public safety, economic prosperity and quality of life. Briley said the most important priority is education and adds that Metro Nashville teachers should get more funding. Briley is only recommending a 3 percent raise for teachers, even though the school board asked for 10 percent.
His $2.33 billion budget proposal also includes a 3% cost-of-living increase for Metro’s police, firefighters and other employees. Briley says most employees will also get an increase because of longevity or merit.
“With the 3 percent cost of living adjustment and proposed pay plan adjustments, let me be clear: All full-time employees in Metro’s general pay plan will make at least $15 per hour. And it is about time.” #SOM56
— Mayor David Briley (@MayorBriley) April 30, 2019
As for public safety, Briley acknowledged that homicides in the city have decreased and said his attention has shifted to looking into youth violence.
While addressing his economic plan for the city, Briley discussed his Equal Business Opportunity program, which pushes for minority- and women-owned businesses have an equal opportunity to compete for Metro contracts. He also discussed his executive order that made Nashville the first city in the South to recognize LGBT-owned businesses in its procurement process.
“Nashville is also the first city in the South to recognize LGBT-owned businesses in its procurement process. I was extremely proud to sign that executive order…and I encourage our state legislators once again to reject bills that are unfriendly to the LGBT community.” #SOM56
— Mayor David Briley (@MayorBriley) April 30, 2019
When it comes to quality of life, Briley talked about making housing more affordable as part of his Under One Roof 2029 initiative. The city hopes to dedicate $750 million to building thousands of affordable housing units over the next decade. He also designated $351 million to improve the city's infrastructure, which includes schools, parks and roads.
Briley added that he recently received a message from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who praised the Under One Roof plan.
He also touted the success of last week's NFL Draft, saying it was the most attended, highest rated and most watched draft in NFL history. More than 600,000 people attended the three-day event.
Once Briley submits his budget to the Metro Council on Wednesday, council members have until June 30th to approve it.
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