Metro Council Member Kyonzté Toombs is leading a new community education effort aimed at helping residents better understand how Nashville’s budget works.
Toombs, who chairs the Metro Council’s Budget and Finance Committee, kicked off the four-part ‘Metro Budget 101’ series on March 28 at the Bordeaux Library. The session marked the first of several planned meetings designed to give residents a clearer picture of how Metro Nashville generates revenue, allocates funds and makes financial decisions.
The series comes ahead of the mayor’s proposed budget, expected later this month, and the Metro Council’s budget hearings in May.
“These sessions are about giving Nashvillians the tools and information they need to understand how decisions are made and how those decisions impact their daily lives,” Toombs said in announcing the series.
Each session focuses on a different aspect of the city’s budget and features a range of speakers and topics intended to break down complex financial issues into more accessible discussions.
The remaining sessions will continue throughout April at locations across Davidson County:
The second session, scheduled for April 11 at Bellevue Community Center, will focus on housing and education: two of the city’s most pressing issues as Nashville continues to grow.
A third meeting on April 18 at Southeast Community Center will center on public safety, public spaces and community resources.
The final session, set for April 25 at the Elizabeth Duff Transit Center at WeGo Central, will address transit, infrastructure and include a community roundtable discussion.
Organizers say the rotating locations are intended to make the series accessible to residents across different parts of the county.
Residents are encouraged to participate in the sessions and can submit questions in advance to help guide discussions. Questions must be submitted by the Friday before each Saturday meeting.
The initiative reflects a broader push for transparency and public engagement in Metro’s budgeting process, particularly as the city faces ongoing challenges related to growth, infrastructure and affordability.
With major financial decisions on the horizon, Toombs said the goal is to ensure residents are informed and prepared to engage in the process.
