LPR funding not included in Nashville Mayor's budget. Metro Council says debate isn't over
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — On Tuesday night, Metro Council will consider whether to change Mayor Freddie's O'Connell's budget.
The changes include a property tax increase, however, it does not have funding for license plate readers.
Metro Council approved the permanent use of LPR cameras last year, but after a six-month pilot, the program shut down. The cameras will not return unless a new contract is approved and funded.
PREVIOUS | LPRs not listed in Nashville Mayor's proposed budget
Some council members have encouraged private businesses and property owners to install their own cameras, as the city has not yet approved its own camera system.
A new apartment complex coming to Hamilton Church Road in 2026 plans to include this technology.
'We want to make sure that you feel safe and secure; we want to build strong communities, and as I said, you can't build strong communities without being safe and secure,' said Alex Trent with Trent Development Group.
District 32 Metro Councilwoman Joy Styles has encouraged private businesses and properties to install their own LPR technology while the program remains stalled citywide.
'They are working with us on great things like license plate readers being included and a gate being included,' Styles said. 'That is the accountability that we are missing in this whole city.'
'I think the private companies and apartments putting LPRs in place just shows how much Nashville wants and needs this type of technology,' added District 11 Council Member Jeff Eslick.
Tennessee police departments share intel, use LPR cameras to track down theft suspect
LPR cameras scan license plates and compare them to state and federal databases to help locate stolen vehicles and missing and wanted people.
'For the most part, it is going to help the everyday citizen, the taxpayer out there, live a safer life and feel better when they go to bed,' Eslick said. 'I think if we are going to add all this money to the budget and spend all this money to make people feel better, we should feel safer as well.'
Eslick said funding for LPRs may come later.
'I think we are going to have to work out the budget, try to figure out where we are on that, and we can add LPRs,' Eslick told News 2. 'The amount that it costs to put the LPRs in place isn't something outside of what we could pull from something like the 4% fund.'
| READ MORE |
District 26 Council Member Courtney Johnston told News 2 that LPRs would not be included in her substitute budget proposal, saying in a statement: 'Putting that line item in any substitute would cause that substitute to fail with this council. That said, funding is not the issue. The issue is that we don't have support for LPRs from either the Mayor's office or the majority of the council to approve the contracts.'
Eslick added that the conversation is not over.
'I think the budget is going to go through similar to what it is,' he explained. 'In a way, to kind of makeup for it, we will have LPRs on the agenda in the near future. Now, that doesn't mean it's going to pass. It's still going to be a struggle, but if we can just get it before us and start talking about it, I think we can find a way to get the common ground that we need.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
China likely to keep lending rates steady after May cut, trade truce
SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China is widely expected to keep its benchmark lending rates unchanged at a monthly fixing on Friday, a Reuters survey showed, after Beijing rolled out sweeping monetary easing measures a month earlier to aid the economy. A framework agreement covering tariff rates between Washington and Beijing has raised optimism the world's two largest economies can get business activity back on track, reducing the urgency for additional easing measures. The loan prime rate (LPR), normally charged to banks' best clients, is calculated each month after 20 designated commercial banks submit proposed rates to the People's Bank of China (PBOC). In a Reuters survey of 20 market watchers conducted this week, all respondents expected both the one-year and five-year LPRs to remain steady. Most new and outstanding loans in China are based on the one-year LPR, while the five-year rate influences the pricing of mortgages. Last month, China lowered LPRs for the first time since October, while major state banks lowered deposit rates as authorities cut borrowing costs to help buffer the economy from the impact of the Sino-U.S. trade war. Market participants said key rates now move in tandem with the seven-day reverse repo rate, which serves as the main policy rate. "That means any adjustment to the LPR should follow changes to the seven-day reverse repo rate," said a trader at a brokerage, noting it will also take some time to gauge the impact of stimulus measures introduced in May. However, a string of disappointing economic data, including slower-than-expected credit growth and deepening deflationary pressure, has underscored the need for more stimulus. "Near-term economic stabilisation is dependent on reaching a trade deal with the U.S., which will take precedence over more policy stimulus," said Ho Woei Chen, economist at UOB. Chen expects the seven-day reverse repo rate to be reduced by 10 basis points in the fourth quarter of this year and guide LPRs to lower by the same margin. "The prospect of another 50-basis-point cut to the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) remains in place," she said. Sign in to access your portfolio
Axios
2 days ago
- Axios
Mayor O'Connell celebrates approval of Metro's $3.8B
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell took a victory lap Wednesday following the Metro Council's vote to approve, with small changes, his $3.8 billion spending plan. The budget comes with an average 26% property tax increase for homeowners. Why it matters: Garnering approval for a property tax increase is not easy, and O'Connell scored a needed political victory as his administration fends off federal scrutiny from Republican members of Congress. Driving the news: O'Connell was joined by top Metro officials, including council budget and finance committee chair Delishia Porterfield, at the courthouse for a ceremonial signing of the budget ordinance. He touted the plan for its investments in education, affordable housing, employee pay raises and public safety, especially youth safety initiatives. The budget includes funding for after school programs, more school resource officers and school safety technology. What he's saying: "This budget is a community improvement program that focuses on quality schools, reliable services and safety we all deserve," O'Connell said at a press conference. Yes, but: O'Connell also addressed criticisms that come with the property tax increase. At its meeting on Tuesday, council approved Porterfield's substitute budget instead of a competing proposal that would have reduced the combined property tax increase to 19%. "Last year, we asked across the board for reduced spending from our Metro departments. You could tell they were starting to feel pinches," O'Connell said. "This rate reflects effectively the five-year impact of inflationary pressure on the cost of governing."
Axios
2 days ago
- Axios
Oracle's River North project advances as tech giant files rezoning request
The tech giant Oracle requested to change the zoning for land on the East Bank of the Cumberland River last week, giving a clear indication its multibillion-dollar project is advancing. Why it matters: Oracle unveiled its original plan five years ago, but the project hasn't broken ground yet. The scope of the mixed-use development and the corporate investment from the firm has expanded since then. State of play: Oracle filed a document seeking to rezone nine acres in the River North development. The request is consistent with the River North's community plan, according to the document. "The property owner is working closely with Metro Planning and Metro Water Services to meet development requirements within the FEMA-designated 100-year floodplain," according to the planning document. The latest: The Oracle project figures to be a top priority for Mayor Freddie O'Connell after Tuesday's Metro Council vote on his operating budget. Coordination between Oracle and Metro officials has cranked up in recent weeks, sources close to the project say. Metro has created a central team to deal with Oracle as the project advances. Oracle has been expanding its East Bank footprint with additional land acquisitions. According to the Nashville Business Journal, Oracle owns 70 acres and has spent a collective $379 million on real estate. Metro's chief development officer Bob Mendes is coordinating with the East Bank Development Authority on the project. Flashback: Metro Council approved a $175 million economic development deal for Oracle in 2021. At the time, the project was estimated to bring $1.2 billion in capital investment and create 8,500 tech jobs.
