Grocery Sales Tax Reduction

At a glance

What: RS2026-1961 reduces the local sales tax on groceries. The Mayor described it as a 22% reduction worth $9 million of relief for Nashville families.
Where it stands: Adopted June 16, 2026, 28 yes, 3 no, 1 abstain.
Sponsor: Council Member Toombs moved adoption after Budget and Finance Committee approval.
Related: Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget, which the Mayor said was "built around" this measure.

The Mayor's message framed the cut as relief from inflation and noted that the state had not cut the state grocery tax or funded this reduction.
Yes (28): Suara, Porterfield, Allen, Hill, Toombs, Gamble, Cortese, Parker, Capp, Benedict, Harrell, Hancock, Webb, Eslick, Evans, Bradford, Huffman, Cash, Kupin, Taylor, Druffel, Preptit, Benton, Ellis, Rutherford, Lee, Ewing and Spain.
No (3): Evans-Segall, Welsch and Sepulveda.
Abstain (1): Johnston.
The minutes record no discussion; the vote was a single roll call. The text of the resolution (the new rate) is not in the minutes.
May 7, 2026: In his message to the Council the Mayor said his operating budget, filed the previous Friday, recommends cutting the local option sales tax on groceries by 22%. No resolution was before the Council that night.
May 19, 2026: The Budget and Finance Committee recommended deferral to the June 16 meeting. Toombs moved to defer the resolution to June 16; approved by voice vote.

Adopted 28-3-1 on Toombs's motion.

Deferred to June 16 on Toombs's motion (voice vote).

Mayor's message announced the 22% grocery tax cut recommendation in the budget.