Highlights from Mayor Freddie O'Connell's State of Metro Address and proposed budget for fiscal year 2026
O'Connell mentioned allocations in his recommended budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes a $49.6 million investment in resources for first responders. The Metro Nashville Police Department will receive $24.7 million.
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A portion of that will help fund 35 officers for the recently-formed D-Detail flex unit, which goes where they're most needed. Since February, D-Detail officers have responded to hundreds of calls across Metro. Additionally, the Nashville Fire Department will receive $15.3 million. A new EMS Unit staffed by 12 employees will be funded by $1.5 million.
License plate recognition technology has been a top-of-mind issue for many across Metro Nashville. While O'Connell did not specifically touch on the technology in his address, he told News 2 there is a framework ready to offer Metro Council when the Council is ready to vote.
'You've probably seen recently they can't even pass a resolution right now asking us to bring it to Council,' O'Connell. 'So, right now every decision about anything related to surveillance is in the hands of Metro Council.'
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Aside from first responders and public safety, Metro Nashville Public Schools make up 37.2% of the recommended budget. That's 13% higher than the budget from fiscal year 2025.
'The budget we're recommending today is about providing stability, resilience and a baseline of normal in abnormal times,' O'Connell said. '…If we value their work and our students' futures, we do everything in our power to keep them safe. If anyone feels unsafe in our city, we know we still have work to do. For them [and] for all of us, we must stay focused on the process of safety.'
With $3.2 million, the MNPD will add 23 new School Resource Officers across the district.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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