Bass, Berry & Sims successfully represented the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County in defending the legality of its $3.1 billion transit improvement plan, following a voter-approved referendum. The plan, funded by a sales tax surcharge, faced a legal challenge from opposition group “Committee to Stop an Unfair Tax,” which alleged the ordinance violated the Tennessee IMPROVE Act and misled voters. The case was heard in Davidson County Chancery Court, where Chancellor Anne Martin dismissed the claims, confirming the referendum’s compliance with state law and upholding Metro’s authority to proceed with the plan.

Our team, led by Bob Cooper and Jeff Yarbro, collaborated with Metro Law Director Wally Dietz and Associate Director Lora Fox to advocate for the program’s legality in expedited proceedings and trial. This ruling allows Metro to move forward with its transformative 15-year transit expansion plan, which includes new transit centers, enhanced bus corridors, and significant infrastructure upgrades across the city.

The case received extensive coverage from the Nashville Business Journal, Nashville Post, Tennessean and other publications.