Image Credit: Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Nearly 66% of Nashville voters cast their votes in favor of the $3.1 billion “Choose How You Move” transit plan.
The now-approved referendum item on Nashville’s November 5th ballot will increase sales tax in Davidson County by half a cent beginning on February 1, 2025.
This will make Davidson County’s sales tax equal to that of surrounding counties such as Williamson and Rutherford, coming in at 9.75%.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell has been pushing the measure since last year, calling for a major revamping of the city’s busses, sidewalks, and traffic signals.
In his speech at an election night watch party, O’Connell said, “Now for the next generation, we will all enjoy the things we deserve: sidewalks, signals, service and safety.”
Back in 2018, voters shot down a referendum that would have made many of the changes in O’Connell’s plan. Then-Mayors Megan Barry and David Briley proposed a light-rail project at that time.
This time, most voters say they are willing to pay the additional costs if it leads to an investment in better public transit and safer commutes. They attribute the increasing transportation needs to the continual growth that the Metro area has seen in recent years.
The plan focuses on the implementation of several large scale projects over the next few years, including more than 86 miles of new or improved sidewalks, hundreds of smart traffic signals, 54 miles of high-capacity transit corridors, improved transit centers and bus stops, and 24-hour bus service.
The increase in sales tax will fund about half of the total project, with additional funding coming in from bond proceeds, transit fares, and federal grants.
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One Response
That was a dumb Dem decision. The bus system will lose lots of money and Nashville will need a property tax increase within 5 years to pay for Operating Losses. That;s what has happened all over the US in Dem cities.