Tennessee Supreme Court halves Nashville Metro Council

Nashville's Metro Council will shrink from 40 members to 20 following a decision by the Tennessee Supreme Court on Monday. The ruling upholds a state law that caps the size of local governing bodies across Tennessee. Nashville is currently the only jurisdiction in the state with a council larger than 20 members. The decision triggers the redrawing of all city council districts.

The 40-member council was created in 1963 during the consolidation of city and county governments. At the time, the large body served as a compromise to assure voters, including Black residents, of adequate representation. In 2023, the state legislature passed the initial cap law, prompting Metro Nashville to sue. The city argued the law violated the state constitution by targeting Nashville specifically and overriding local voter authority.

Metro Nashville initially won the case in lower court. That ruling was reversed on appeal, leading the dispute to the state's highest court. The five supreme court justices heard oral arguments in February. The court found that subsequent amendments to the law addressed earlier legal concerns. It also confirmed that the state legislature retains authority over local council structures.

Mayor Freddie O'Connell issued a statement on Monday rejecting the outcome. He stated, "Nashville's Council size was set by our community, and our charter should only be changed by our voters, not by the state legislature." The mayor added that the administration would review its legal options to continue advocating for local governance.

The council has previously adjusted its procedures to handle routine items with less debate. The new 20-person structure will require the establishment of new district boundaries. The city must now determine the process for these changes. The ruling is effective immediately.

The Tennessee Supreme Court's decision ends the litigation over the 2023 cap law. The court's opinion notes that the state legislature's power over local bodies was not usurped by the charter. The next step involves the legislative process to define the new districts. Voters will eventually elect representatives to the smaller body.