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This email was sent by the Office of the Metropolitan Trustee, Metro Nashville Government.
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Dear Nashville and Davidson County Residents,
May is an important month for civic participation, taxpayer education, and community connection across Davidson County.
Right now, residents are at the polls exercising one of the most fundamental rights in our democracy: the right to vote.
Also going on, property owners are preparing for the next step in the appeal process, storm-impacted families are continuing to access recovery resources, and my administration is creating new opportunities for health, mobility, safety, and economic stability.
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It's Election Day in Davidson County!
Today, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, is County Primary Election Day.
In Davidson County, voters will cast ballots for several local offices, including:
- Circuit Court Clerk
- Circuit Court Judge (Division III – Unexpired Term)
- County Clerk
- County Trustee
- Criminal Court Clerk
- Criminal Court Judge (Division III – Unexpired Term)
- Democratic Executive Committee (Council Districts 1–35)
- General Sessions Judge (Division VI – Unexpired Term)
- Juvenile Court Clerk
- Public Defender
- Register of Deeds
- School Board Representative (Districts 2, 4, 6, 8)
- Sheriff
Metro offices such as Mayor and Metro Council are elected on a separate cycle, with the next regular Metro election in 2027. In Davidson County, state and federal primary races will appear on the August 6, 2026 ballot, along with county general races.
To participate in this election, residents must have been registered to vote by April 6, 2026.
Click the button below to use Davidson County's Election Day Polling Place Finder.
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A new Tax Relief bill recently passed by the Tennessee General Assembly will help older Tax Relief recipients remain on the program with fewer barriers.
Under this legislation, homeowners who are 80 or older and have participated in Tax Relief for at least five consecutive years will no longer need to submit income documentation each year to recertify.
This change will help so many residents across Tennessee, especially older homeowners who may struggle to leave the house, come into the office, gather paperwork, or remember which documents need to be mailed.
This bill grew out of work from our office through the Certified Public Manager program, and I am proud that the Metropolitan Trustee’s Office supported it from idea to passage. The bill received bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, with additional support from the Trustee’s Association, the County Officials Association of Tennessee, and the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office.
By advancing this legislation, we are helping make Tax Relief easier to maintain for some of Tennessee’s most vulnerable homeowners.
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With property values increasing by an average of 45% last year, many Davidson County property owners are looking closely at their options to appeal their values for the 2026 tax year.
The first optional step in that process was Informal Review, where the Davidson County Assessor of Property reviews information submitted by the property owner and either adjusts the value or upholds the original appraisal. The 2026 Informal Review deadline closed on April 17, 2026. In accordance with state law, the Assessor’s Office will mail Informal Review decisions by May 20, 2026.
However, missing the Informal Review deadline or receiving a decision that upholds the original value does not automatically end the appeal process. Property owners may still pursue a Formal Appeal with the Metropolitan Board of Equalization, also known as the MBOE. The MBOE is a local, independent appeal board that operates separately from the Assessor of Property’s Office. Even after that, there's still the option to appeal to the State Board of Equalization.
According to the Assessor’s Office website, Formal Appeal appointments with the MBOE will begin being accepted the Monday after Informal Review notices are mailed.
Click the blue button below to learn more about filing a Formal Appeal with the MBOE.
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Property owners affected by Winter Storm Fern may qualify for a reduction in their assessed value.
Qualifying residential, commercial, and personal property owners can apply to receive an adjustment during the period the property is uninhabitable or inoperable.
To qualify, properties must:
- Sustain at least 50% damage, and
- Be uninhabitable or inoperable for 30 days or more
The Assessor of Property's Office will verify property conditions until the property is restored or normal operations resume.
If repairs are not completed by September 1, 2026, standard proration procedures will apply.
Click the appropriate button below to apply through the Assessor's Office. Homeowners should select the Real Property Storm Relief Application. Business owners should select the Personal Property Storm Relief Application.
Property owners seeking this adjustment should apply no later than September 1, 2026.
We appreciate the Metropolitan Council, Mayor Freddie O’Connell, and Assessor Vivian Wilhoite for their collective efforts in supporting this relief initiative.
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Months after Winter Storm Fern, many Davidson County residents are still navigating home repairs, financial hardship, lost work, debris cleanup, and recovery paperwork. Several local, state, and federal resources remain available for eligible residents.
FEMA Assistance
Davidson County residents who sustained storm-related damage may apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance for needs such as temporary housing, home repairs, replacement of essential personal property, and other serious disaster-related expenses. Residents can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov through the button below, by calling (800) 621-3362, through the FEMA app, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center. The FEMA application deadline for Tennessee Severe Winter Storm assistance is June 10, 2026.
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Disaster Recovery Center
Residents can visit a Disaster Recovery Center for in-person help applying for FEMA assistance, applying for SBA disaster loans, checking an application status, resolving issues, or accessing other recovery resources. Davidson County’s Disaster Recovery Center is located at East Park Community Center, 600 Woodland Street. Disaster Center locations and hours of operation can be found on the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Winter Storm Fern recovery page.
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Disaster Reconstruction Program Grants
Davidson County homeowners whose homes were damaged by the January storm may qualify for Disaster Reconstruction Program grants through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. Eligible homeowners may receive up to $20,000 for construction, acquisition, or repair of their primary residence, while displaced renters may qualify for up to $10,000 toward the purchase of a home. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be used for expenses already covered by insurance or state or federal emergency management agencies.
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211 Helpline
Residents who are unsure where to begin can call United Way’s 211 Helpline to connect with local recovery resources.
Natural Disaster Sales Tax Relief
Eligible residents who receive FEMA assistance may also qualify for a state sales tax refund of up to $2,500 on certain purchases used to repair or replace storm-damaged property, including major appliances, residential furniture, and residential building supplies. Residents should keep receipts and apply after receiving FEMA approval. Click the button below to apply through the Tennessee Department of Revenue’s Natural Disaster Sales Tax Relief program.
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Metro Codes Permit Fee Suspension
Metro Codes has suspended certain permit fees for storm-related repairs, including building, electrical, gas/mechanical, and plumbing work. To qualify, residents must show proof that the repairs are connected to Winter Storm Fern and receive the permit by August 31, 2026. Contact Metro Codes by calling (615) 862-6500. Their office is located at 800 President Ronald Reagan Way, Nashville, TN, 37210.
NES Payment Relief & Flexible Arrangements
NES has also announced customer relief measures, including suspended service disconnections and late fees through June 2026 and unlimited payment arrangements through December 2026.
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Tree Trimming & Planned Service Interruptions
NES is also informing residents that in order to reduce future storm-related outages, additional tree trimming is underway across Nashville neighborhoods.
Crews will trim vegetation farther back than in previous cycles and may remove trees that pose a risk to power lines. Brief planned outages may occur.
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SBA Loans
Although SBA is often associated with small businesses, its disaster loan program also serves eligible homeowners and renters after federally declared disasters. For Winter Storm Fern, SBA physical disaster loans may help repair or replace a primary residence or personal property. Applications can be submitted through June 10, 2026, using the SBA MySBA Loan Portal, linked below.
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Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Disaster Unemployment Assistance is also available for eligible workers whose employment or self-employment was impacted by the storm. Learn more through the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Applications can be submitted until June 9, 2026, through Jobs4TN.gov or by calling (877) 813-0950.
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I encourage residents applying for these resources to keep documentation such as receipts, damage photos, insurance information, FEMA letters, repair estimates, and proof of storm-related hardship. Recovery can take time, but residents do not have to navigate the process alone. |
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2024 Property Tax Payments: Clerk & Master Only
2024 property taxes are no longer payable through the Metropolitan Trustee’s Office. Payments must be made in full (partial payments are not accepted) through the Davidson County Clerk and Master, located at 1 Public Square, Suite 308, Nashville, TN 37201.
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66 years following the historic Nashville Civil Rights March on April 19, 1960, we carry forward the legacy of Diane Nash and the civil rights leaders who changed Nashville.
This April, we held our 4th Annual Diane Nash Commemorative March, a community-wide celebration honoring Nashville’s Civil Rights Movement and the courage of the student leaders like Fisk University student Diane Nash who marched together to Nashville's courthouse in solidarity against segregation.
Our day began at 5:30 a.m. with a ceremonial bell ringing at the former home of Z. Alexander Looby, marking the exact time the bomb went off there on April 19, 1960.
That afternoon, we gathered at First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill, where community members viewed our Diane Nash display and helped us celebrate the student winners of our Diane Nash Creative Competition.
 County leaders and community members gather at First Baptist Church, Capitol Hill for the start of Trustee Gilmore's 4th Annual Diane Nash Commemorative March.
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Our participating students worked hard through poetry, digital art, traditional painting, drawing, and sculpture to uplift the legacy of Diane Nash and Nashville’s Civil Rights Movement. I am so proud of these young people who, just like Diane Nash, remind us what is possible when courage, creativity, and purpose come together.
Each creative category winner received $500. High School Overall Champion Tatyiyanna Farmer also received $500. Middle School Grand Champion winners Hope Metcalf and Aubri Hanks received $1,000 between them as age grand prize winners.
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From the church, we continued with our silent march to the Historic Courthouse, retracing a powerful piece of Nashville’s history.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, including Councilmember Zulfat Suara, Councilmember Terry Vo, Judge Jim Todd, School Board Member Freda Player, Judge David Briley, Councilmember Joy Styles, Davidson County Historian Dr. Learotha Williams Jr., my mother, former state Senator Brenda Gilmore, and my father, retired Juvenile Court Officer Harry Gilmore.
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 Elected Officials gather at Davidson County's Historic Courthouse for the launch of Nashville Sites' Audio Tour.
I also want to give a special thank you to Vice Mayor Angie Emery Henderson, who partnered with us to share the word about our march. Also going on that same day, we arrived at City Hall right at the time of the launch of Nashville Sites' fantastic new audio tour project that Vice Mayor Henderson worked on. I encourage everyone to check out this audio tour, which has wonderful insights to the history of this building, including Diane Nash's leadership.
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Faith Leaders Walk Brings Unity Across Nashville’s Communities
 Nashville is home to many faith traditions, cultures, languages, and communities. That diversity is one of our city’s greatest strengths, and it deserves to be celebrated intentionally.
Four years ago, I created the Faith Leaders Walk as part of my Walks with the Trustee series to bring people of different faiths together in unity. Each year, this walk is an opportunity for residents and faith leaders to connect and move together.
This year, I am excited to host the 4th Annual Faith Leaders Walk on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. We will gather at the Hillsboro Village Kroger, located at 2201 21st Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212, for our 30-minute walk.
I invite residents of all faith practices and backgrounds to join us for a meaningful day of movement, connection, and mobility justice here in Nashville.
Click below to register.
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Each year, one of Nashville's most beloved movement-centered traditions is Kids and Kites Day, hosted by my mother, former State Senator Brenda Gilmore. This past weekend, families gathered in East Park for the 17th annual event to fly kites, move their bodies, access community resources, and celebrate health in a joyful environment.
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Kids and Kites Day raises awareness about childhood obesity, diabetes, and the importance of healthy movement. Along with the kite flying, families got to take part in our one-mile fun walk/run and enjoy an afternoon of live music.
My mother makes me proud. Seventeen years ago, she and Lois Winston of the Red Hat Society had a vision to create a joyful community event that encouraged children and families to move their bodies, spend time together, and celebrate health.
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 Pictured: Mayor Freddie O'Connell and Former State Senator Brenda Gilmore
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That is why I was so proud to present the Community Champion Award, which will now be given annually in their honor.
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We're also so proud to recognize Mark Lollis, who has been part of Kids and Kites for 15 of its 17 years. His continued commitment has helped carry this vision forward, and he was presented with the Torch Bearer Award in recognition of his years of hard work and dedication.
This year’s celebration also featured wonderful performances from Rejoice School of Ballet, the Hadley Park Dancers, the Malone Dancers, the Hartman Park High Steppers, and the Metro Parks Step Team. I am grateful to each group for helping make the day so special.
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I also want to thank Mayor Freddie O’Connell for joining us, the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for volunteering, and our friends at 92Q for their continued support. |
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Through my service as a board member of America Walks, and through my mother’s nearly two decades of hosting Kids and Kites, we have both been intentional about creating new, fun opportunities for people to get outside, move their bodies, and connect with their neighbors.
Advancing mobility justice and building a safer, healthier Nashville starts with creating spaces where movement feels accessible, joyful, and rooted in community. That is exactly what Kids and Kites Day is all about, and I look forward to another day of fun in the sun next year!
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Every year, our community looks forward to the meaningful work Metro Social Services puts into its Community Needs Evaluation. This year’s 17th annual report, Affordability Challenges for African Americans in Nashville: Enduring Legacies & Emerging Issues, gives Nashville an important lens for understanding how we can continue improving the living experience, economic stability, and long-term opportunity of African American residents across Davidson County.
The report makes clear that affordability is not just one issue. It shapes whether families can remain in their neighborhoods, how workers access higher-wage career pathways, how residents move from renting into homeownership, how entrepreneurs grow stable businesses, and how transportation connects people to jobs, services, schools, and opportunity. By studying these connections, Metro Social Services helps our city better understand where targeted investment and coordinated action can strengthen economic and social wellbeing.
This year’s evaluation also points to several areas where Nashville can continue advancing meaningful progress. By strengthening pathways into higher-paying fields such as management, technology, healthcare, and professional services, expanding access to affordable homeownership and mortgage opportunity, and supporting African American-owned businesses as they grow from startup to long-term stability, our city can help more residents build lasting economic security.
The report also shows how coordinated investment in housing, childcare, transportation, and household financial stability can support stronger outcomes for families across Davidson County. By keeping long-term residents connected to the communities they helped build and improving access to services in a geographically spread-out county, Nashville can continue creating broader pathways to opportunity.
I want to thank Metro Social Services Executive Director Renée Pratt and the hardworking Strategic Planning and Research Team for their hard work each year on this data!
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Get real-time updates on legislation, deadlines, and community changes that impact Davidson County households. Follow @NashvilleTrustee for clear, reliable information across all platforms.
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 In honor of Older Americans Month, the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) and AARP Tennessee invite the community to a special event celebrating our older adults. The celebration will take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the GNRC Office, 44 Vantage Way, Nashville, TN 37228.
This free event gives Middle Tennessee’s older adults and their families an opportunity to connect with supportive services and community resources in one place. Attendees can also safely dispose of old medications, bring documents for secure shredding, and receive free blood pressure checks on site.
Click the button below to RSVP.
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Rising costs are continuously putting pressure on Nashville homeowners. That’s why, for the third year, I created a free Community Resource Guide.
This one-stop guide clearly directs Nashville residents to money-saving programs designed to keep homeownership affordable. The programs listed in this guidebook have been the difference for some of our constituents between affording next year’s property taxes or facing displacement.
Residents who have used this resource have shared how much easier of an experience they've had in identifying the money-saving opportunities at their disposal. By utilizing the programs that our community partners and government organizations offer in this guide, residents have obtained new windows, replaced HVAC units, and filed income taxes for free.
Click the button below to access my resource guidebook online in English, Spanish, and Arabic.
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In addition to putting more dollars back into homeowners’ pockets, our office is expanding the ways we strengthen Nashville’s growth without adding costs to taxpayers. Through Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resiliency, known as C-PACER, we administer a private capital financing tool that helps commercial developers and property owners invest in energy and water efficiency upgrades while continuing to support responsible development across Davidson County.
Last month, I shared the fantastic work our office did through a $13.4 million C-PACER financing deal for a multifamily and townhome development on Dickerson Pike that will help house more than 90 Nashville families.
This month, I am proud to share I have now closed our 12th C-PACER financing deal, a $14.1 million PACE financing deal for a three-story hotel development at 3818 Bedford Avenue in Nashville.
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Through this privately financed capital mechanism, our office is supporting energy and water efficiency improvements projected to save the company investing in Nashville approximately $35,609 annually. These savings come from reduced energy and water usage through upgrades to the building envelope, HVAC system, and lighting.
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 Hyatt Place Nashville/Green Hills at 3818 Bedford Avenue
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By administering this deal, I'm creating local jobs while bringing accretive private capital into Nashville.
On top of expanding Nashville’s C-PACER program, I am also shaping C-PACE conversations nationally. At the 2026 PACENation Summit, I led two sessions: Developing New C-PACE Programs and How She Does It Successfully: Stories About Women in PACE.
The summit brought together C-PACE administrators, practitioners, and leaders from across the country to exchange best practices and strengthen the future of clean-energy financing. I am grateful to PACENation Executive Director Mary Luevano for her leadership in convening such an important national conversation around sustainable investment, economic development, and the continued growth of PACE programs.
Our capacity for C-PACER projects is expanding, and we encourage commercial developers to connect with our office about accessing upfront private capital for eligible energy-resiliency improvements.
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Civics 101: How a Property-Tax Bill Moves Through Tennessee Government
Before a property-tax-related change reaches local offices in Davidson County, it moves through several levels of review, debate, and decision-making across Tennessee state government. First, let's establish what a property tax bill is and what it is not.
A property tax bill is proposed state legislation that could change part of Tennessee’s property tax system. These bills may address how property is assessed, how appeals work, when taxes are due, how Tax Relief or Tax Freeze operates, how certified tax rates are calculated, how delinquent taxes are handled, or whether limits are placed on local property tax increases.
While these bills can affect the rules that counties and cities must follow, they do not directly determine Davidson County’s property tax rate. Davidson County’s tax rate is set locally through Metro’s budget process.
 Photo Courtesy: Voices for a Safer Tennessee
When a property-tax bill is filed in the Tennessee General Assembly, the written legislation is only one part of the process. Legislators review the language. Local governments and professional associations study how it would affect counties and cities. Lobbyists and advocates communicate support, concerns, or requested changes. Residents and stakeholders may call or write lawmakers to explain how the proposal would affect them.
Then the bill moves through committees. Committees examine the details, hear discussion, consider amendments, and decide whether the bill should advance. This is often where a bill is changed, delayed, or stopped.
A property tax bill must also move through both the House and the Senate. The two chambers may work on companion bills at the same time, but they must ultimately agree on the exact same version. That requires coordination between sponsors, committee members, legislative staff, advocates, and other stakeholders throughout the session.
If the House and Senate pass the same version, the bill goes to Governor Bill Lee’s desk. The governor may sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature. Once enacted, the law receives a public chapter number and may become part of the state legal framework local governments must follow.
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Recognizing Leadership in Violence Prevention
I want to recognize our friends at the Urban League of Middle Tennessee for their leadership in Nashville’s Group Violence Intervention work. Through this program, the Urban League works with Metro partners to connect individuals impacted by violence with support such as job training, education resources, mental health services, and other stabilizing assistance.
This spring, the Urban League hosted Nashville’s first-ever Group Violence Intervention conference, bringing partners together to focus on prevention, strategy, and impact. According to NewsChannel 5, MNPD reported that about 87% of individuals reached through the program have not reoffended.
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Supporting Safer, More Connected Streets
 Mobility is about more than transportation. It is about whether residents can safely and reliably access work, school, services, recreation, and community.
That is why I am proud to recognize our friends at Walk Bike Nashville, who have been wonderful partners through our Walks with the Trustee installments. Their work helps amplify residents’ transportation stories and advocate for safer, more connected, people-first streets across Nashville.
Residents can support that work by participating in Tour de Nash, Walk Bike Nashville’s signature event and largest fundraiser of the year. The 22nd running of Nashville’s largest urban bike ride will take place Saturday, May 16, 2026, with registration open until noon on Friday, May 15. Proceeds support Walk Bike Nashville’s advocacy, Walk to School Day, Open Streets Nashville, and other programs that help build a stronger culture of walking and biking in our city.
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I am empowering Davidson County residents with clear, timely information during a critical season for civic participation, property tax education, and community recovery.
I am ensuring residents are fully informed to participate in shaping our local democracy.
I am helping homeowners protect their dollars by sharing the resource that could lower their 2026 tax payments.
I am making government more transparent by sharing monthly collection updates and breaking down the foundation of our civics processes.
I am also supporting property owners still recovering from the winter storm by connecting them with up-to-date recovery resources and clear, actionable next steps.
After a strong tax season connecting older adults, disabled homeowners, and disabled veterans to Tax Relief and Tax Freeze resources, my office is continuing to expand access to financial tools through C-PACER, an office-administered program that connects commercial property developers to upfront private capital without using taxpayer dollars.
Through the 4th Annual Diane Nash Commemorative March and our upcoming Faith Leaders Walk, I am also creating meaningful opportunities for residents to move their bodies, connect across communities, and advance Nashville’s commitment to mobility justice.
With gratitude for the opportunity to serve, I encourage every resident to stay informed, use the resources available, participate in civic life, and continue helping us build a stronger Davidson County.
Kind regards,
Metropolitan Trustee Erica S. Gilmore
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