Can you believe it? Metro Nashville Public Schools start back one week from today—August 5th! Whether you're dusting off backpacks or preparing for school-zone slowdowns, it’s a fresh start for students, teachers, and families across our community.

 

And speaking of fresh starts, July 1 marked the beginning of Metro’s new fiscal year. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to every District 24 neighbor who joined community budget meetings, sent in feedback, or even just kept an eye on the process. Your voices helped shape the 2025 Metro Budget. 

 

One investment I’m especially proud of? We secured funding for a new gun dispossession investigator—a role I personally pushed for—to help enforce firearm restrictions for individuals under domestic violence and stalking-related court orders. T. This new role helps close that deadly gap—and keeps more people safe.

 

One budget investment I’m especially proud of is funding for a new gun dispossession investigator. I championed this role to enforce firearm restrictions for individuals under domestic violence and stalking-related court orders. Too many victims are shot by abusers who legally aren’t supposed to have a gun, but no one follows up to make sure that gun is actually removed. This new role helps close that dangerous gap and keeps more people safe.

The budget season always sparks big conversations about Nashville’s future. One thing is clear: our city is growing fast. 

 

That’s why Metro Planning and partners have been studying how housing policies and infrastructure are keeping pace. Their Housing & Infrastructure Study—now in Phase 2—offers key recommendations to:

I encourage you to dig deeper on their findings: 

I'm looking forward to hearing more about their findings in the coming months and how they could help shape our city's future. 

 

Brenda Gadd

Councilmember, District 24

 

P.S. Join me Saturday, August 16 at 10:30am for the Sylvan Park vs. Nations kickball game at West Park! Want to play? Email spna@sylvanpark.org. If we lose, I’ll conduct a clean up in the Nations. If we win, their council member cleans up here. Let’s win this!

Last month, I joined a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Tennessee challenging a new state law that criminalizes elected officials for voting in support of sanctuary policies. Regardless of where you may stand on sanctuary policies, this law sets a dangerous precedent of punishing local leaders simply for how they vote on behalf of their communities.

 

I joined this suit to defend the ability of Metro Council members to govern without fear of prosecution and to uphold the right of local governments to set policies that reflect our shared values. You can read more about the case here.

As weather permits, NDOT traffic and access changes continue for the ongoing H.G. Hill Belle Meade redevelopment. (See graphics below.) 

The Estes Road water main project continues and is expected to be complete in early August. If the work extends into the school year, Metro Water Services will revert back to reduced daytime hours and open the road at night. For details, visit www.nashville.gov/departments/water/projects. 

Metro Parks is updating Plan to Play, the countywide parks and greenways master plan, to guide priorities for the next five years. The update builds on the 2017 plan and focuses on current needs and community input.

Take the Plan to Play Update Survey and add your ideas to the interactive map by July 31. Your feedback will help shape the future of parks and greenways across Nashville.

Every five years, Metro’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) updates its Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan—a roadmap for reducing risks from natural disasters and keeping our communities safer. As OEM works to update the plan, they are seeking public input via: 

This plan helps ensure access to disaster recovery funding and even supports lower flood insurance rates. 

Metro Arts is now accepting applications for its FY26 Thrive and Operating Support Grants. Thrive Grants fund artist-led, community-based projects that create cultural connection and impact. Operating Support Grants help Davidson County arts nonprofits with general operating expenses. 

 

Applications are available on Metro Arts Submittable. The deadline to apply is Friday, Aug. 15 at 11:59 PM.

 

Metro Arts is offering drop-in help sessions at local libraries and the Nashville Farmers’ Market, plus virtual options for applicants.  Questions? Email: arts.grants@nashville.gov.