Nashville plans developer fees, state tax share to address $15B infrastructure deficit

Nashville is facing a $15.5 billion infrastructure crisis amid rapid growth, with current budgets covering only a fraction of the needed improvements. Metro Council Member Tasha Ellis is proposing a resolution to shift some financial responsibility from property taxpayers to developers through impact fees and to secure a share of the state's real estate transfer tax revenue for local infrastructure projects. Ellis advocates for redirecting 3% of the state's real estate transfer tax, which has increased by over 130% in the past decade, back to Nashville to fund infrastructure repairs, affordable housing, and senior home rehabilitation without raising local taxes. This approach aligns with practices in other Tennessee counties that have successfully used the transfer tax for local needs. Ellis emphasizes that the proposed funds could generate approximately $7.8 million annually, supporting critical repairs and public health initiatives to help residents, especially seniors, remain in their homes. She is urging state lawmakers and Nashville residents to support the resolution to address these urgent infrastructure and housing challenges.