💰 What’s in the mayor’s budget?

🗳️ It’s Election Day!

Today is Election Day for the Davidson County Primary Election. Only 22,078 Nashvillians cast their ballots during early voting, less than 6% of registered voters. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check your polling location here, and read our guide to the election. This election determines who will fill Nashville’s criminal, circuit, and general sessions court benches, several clerk’s offices, and four Metro Nashville Public Schools board seats. [DCEC; Nashville.gov; 📰 City Cast Nashville]

• Read more about the three District 6 school board candidates. [Nashville Banner]

💰 Mayor Files Proposed Budget

Mayor O’Connell has filed his proposed $3.8 billion Metro spending plan for fiscal year 2027. The plan includes a grocery tax decrease from 2.25% to 1.75%, $69 million to Metro’s Unified Housing Strategy to address affordable housing, and a 4% budget increase for Metro Nashville Public Schools. Councilmembers will now begin crafting their own spending proposals, with a final vote on the budget in June. [Nashville Scene via Nashville Post]

• O’Connell is also considering cash incentives for Starbucks’ corporate expansion to Nashville. [🔐 The Tennessean]

👮 MNPD Wants New Transit Policing Unit

For the first time, Nashville could have a transit policing unit. If approved by the Metro Council, 29 Metro Nashville Police Department officers will patrol the WeGo Star station, bus stops, transit centers, park-and-ride lots, transit vehicles and routes, and areas adjacent to WeGo properties. [WKRN]

• We recently reported on a state bill requiring all sheriff offices in the state to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement under a 287(g) agreement. However, Sheriff Daron Hall says the bill excludes Nashville, since the agreement applies only to POST-certified offices, which the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office is not. [WKRN]

🍽️ Save Money at These Happy Hour Spots

Anyone who still thinks happy hour means pitchers of watery beer is missing out on the incredible variety of food and drink specials available across Nashville in the early evenings. On today’s podcast, contributor Margaret Littman shares her current favorite spots, from downtown rooftops with free valet to neighborhood bars offering nonalcoholic drinks, enough food to fill you up, and great community vibes. [🎧 City Cast Nashville]