Candidate: Olivia Hill
Metro Council At-Large
Website: voteoliviahill.com
Occupation: “I am retired from Vanderbilt University Power Plant.”
Previous candidacy/offices held: “None”
Community experience: “In recent years, I have served as a community leader, educating the public about the difficulties faced by women and the LGBTQ+ community. I am frequently invited to speak to many of Nashville’s premier organizations, including the Tennessee Bar Association, the Metro Nashville Police Academy, Vanderbilt University, the Nashville School of Law, local churches, and Metro Nashville Social Services, as well as serving on the board of directors for the Tennessee Pride Chamber.”
What will be your top three priorities on the Council?
“Infrastructure, Homelessness, and Transportation”
Much of the city’s developmental focus, like plans for a new East Bank, have focused on downtown. What’s your vision for downtown?
“Downtown is a vital organ for this city. But we must ensure that our infrastructure and transportation problems are fixed before continuing the massive growth. I want to see a downtown who’s underground and out-of-site utilities are as strong as the growth we see on the outside.”
Did you or would you have voted to approve the new Titans stadium financing legislation?
“I was not in office when the vote took place, and I was not privy to all the discussions that took place in the rooms. But the vote has happened, and the stadium will move forward. We must now focus on the plans surrounding the stadium – the neighborhoods and infrastructure. I will work hard to make sure that the neighborhood is accessible and affordable for the majority of working Nashvillians.”
Does Metro need more police officers beyond the unfilled positions?
“We must first focus on filling the unfilled positions and then assess if we still need more help. But we shouldn’t make that decision before we fill the current openings.”
What do you think of the current framework passed by the council around LPR (license plate readers) usage? Do you think Metro should allow facial recognition technology to be used downtown?
“At face value, the plans seem like a tremendous crime-fighting tool. However, the unintended consequences to our most vulnerable citizens are too high a price to pay. No.”
Do you think a property tax rate adjustment will be needed in the next 4 years? Why or why not?
“I believe it is too early to decide on a property tax rate adjustment.”
Do you view your role in the Council as leading your district on issues or simply reflecting the views of the district’s residents?
“As an at-large member, I will be focused on the city as a whole and we can best serve everyone as a city.”
How do you view the relationship of the city and Council to the General Assembly in the face of adverse legislation from the state?
“I believe that the State has overstepped its bounds because they disagree with elected local lawmakers politics. It is not the State’s place to tell our city who they think we should be as a city. I would hope that productive conversations can happen over the coming years to create an environment where we can work together on the real issues facing every working families.”
The city is experiencing an affordability crisis. What is the council’s role in creating more housing for buyers and renters in Nashville?
“We must work with non-profits and private partners to find solutions to our affordable housing crisis. This means new build and current construction. The Council can be a leader in bringing together the experts and groups and finding the right answers.”
What improvements do you think WeGo should make during the next four years? Would you back creation of a dedicated funding source?
“Simply put: We need more stops for longer periods during a 24-hour cycle. I think we must have a dedicated funding source. We cannot continue to grow as a city without real and reliable public transit.”
Second quarter campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $32,632
Spent: $25,632
Cash on hand: $12,730
Link to full disclosure here
Pre-General campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $22,555
Spent: $25,172
Cash on hand: $10,112
Link to full disclosure here