Welcome to our newest series, Nashville’s Budget: Our Money & Our Future! As advocates for government transparency, it is super important that we follow the money and how our tax dollars are being used from start to finish. However, everyday people can’t fully engage in the conversation, if they don’t know where to start. That’s where we come in!

We’re breaking it down because the city’s budget impacts us, and therefore should matter to us. The city’s public education, transportation, and public services are key areas that rely on the budget, but that’s not all. Ready to proceed?

Our budget talks will uncover:

• Where the money is and isn’t
• Where the money comes from and where it needs to go
• Options for more funding that will actually meet the needs of our city’s residents

Expect to learn definitions for key terms, identify how the budget directly impacts you and your family, and become empowered to take action. Now, let’s make some sense out of the dollars.

What is the budget?

The budget is an approved plan that dictates where the city’s money comes from and is distributed towards within a fiscal year, a year measured for taxing or accounting purposes. It is managed similarly to how you manage the budget for your household, a community group, or your job.

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Since the tender days of pre-school education, we’ve known about the four seasons. No, not the luxury hotels – the weather categories. There’s also those non-weather times of year that we refer to as seasons. The end-of-year holiday mashup is commonly known as the holiday season. Tax preparers have tax season. Event planners have wedding season. The entertainment industry has awards season. Even voters even election season. But do you know about budget season?

It’s the time in the city’s calendar, usually January through June, when the mayor and council prepare, present, and decide where the money will reside for the city. In case you hadn’t noticed, we are in budget season. Elected leaders are currently planning for what the city will receive in revenue (think: income) and spend in expenditures (think: bills, operations, and services).

Unlike typical household budgets that run from January to December, the city’s fiscal year is July 1st of one year through June 30th of the next. For example, the upcoming fiscal year is July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. It is referred to as FY 2024-2025 or, by the year it ends, FY 2025.

If you get into the weeds of budget season, you’ll learn that there are two separate budget processes happening concurrently, as well as multiple budgets presented for consideration. However, we believe in keeping it simple. Our reference to the budget means the operational budget that is used to keep the city running.

The timeline of budget season is summarized as beginning around December or January and ending June 30th. Throughout the winter and spring, the mayor evaluates recommendations from council and department heads for what should be on their budget a.k.a. the recommended budget. The mayor must submit the recommended budget by May 1st to the council. It is then filed as an ordinance to be heard by the Metro Council Budget & Finance Committee. Council will consider the mayor’s budget from May 1st through June 30th with a series of readings, discussions, and changes. Once passed, the budget becomes known as the operating budget. Council must pass the operating budget into law by June 30th; otherwise, the mayor’s recommended budget becomes the new law by default.

Who is involved?

Although elected officials are integral to the process, they’re not the only ones saying something in budget season. Community groups and corporate lobbyists use their power to influence budget decisions. You can view a listing of businesses and organizations that employ registered lobbyists.

Did you know that everyday people like you can also use your voice and power to influence the city’s budget? You can meet with your council person to share your ideas and concerns for shared public resources. Use this lookup tool to identify your council person and get ready to introduce yourself.