Councilmember Porterfield proposes more employee raises in alternative budget

Metro Councilmember Delishia Porterfield unveiled her proposed changes on Wednesday to Mayor Freddie O'Connell's budget, headlined by more money for employee pay raises.

Why it matters: Metro insiders eagerly awaited the budget alternative Porterfield would offer in her first year as chair of the important budget and finance committee.

State of play: The city faced a tight budget this year due to flat revenues and no appetite to raise property taxes.

• Perhaps the greatest source of discussion centered around employee pay raises.

Driving the news: O'Connell offered 3.5% cost-of-living raises for most Metro workers in his $3.28 billion budget . Worker union representatives made the case at public hearings that larger raises are needed to keep up with inflation.

• Porterfield's substitute bumps raises to 4%. When added to merit increases and step raises, her plan would lift overall compensation by 7% for 95% of Metro and school district employees.
• Porterfield also earmarked $1 million for youth programs, including $750,000 to create the Office of Youth Safety, which would teach conflict resolution skills and restorative justice practices. The remaining $250,000 would go to the Parks Department to increase community center programming.
• She proposes to pay for the new funding out of existing department reserve funds and administrative accounts.

"Our youth came out and asked for this," Porterfield tells Axios, describing feedback council received during the budget process. "As adults, we come up with solutions we think are best for youth ... but it may not resonate with kids.

• "But when our youth are coming out and saying, 'This is what we need to address safety in this city, as well as conflict resolution,' I think that's important."
• She tells Axios she was proud to fund priorities without layoffs or service reductions.

Zoom in: Porterfield proposed expanding funding for a program that sends paramedics and Health Department experts to mental health emergency calls instead of police officers.

• Her budget would send $1 million for indigent criminal defense.

What she's saying: "My focus for this year's substitute budget was to utilize an equity lens to prioritize the residents of Nashville, particularly our youth and our city employees, who are vital to making our city thrive," Porterfield said in a press release.

Between the lines: Porterfield took a risk in running for the countywide at-large seat after serving as a district council member in her previous term.

• She won an at-large seat last year in a crowded field and emerged as a powerful progressive voice on the council. Vice Mayor Angie Henderson appointed her chair of the important budget committee.

What's next: Council will vote on whether to adopt Portefield's budget amendment at its June 18 meeting.