Candidate: Rob Harris
Metro Council District 1
Website: RobHarrisforNashville.com
Occupation: “I am a procurement officer for the state of Tennessee.”
Previous candidacy/offices held: “Worked for Nashville from 2008 – 2022 in various positions. Including pension analyst with Metro HR, city council liaison for Mayor Cooper, Chief of Staff for Trustee’s Office and Deputy in the Assessor of Property’s Office”
Community experience: “Chairperson of Metro Southeast Health Fair (2014 -2019). This invite gave out 1,500 backpacks per year to Metro school children. It was collaboration between Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, MNPS and Project Pencil. Chair of the Representative Vincent Dixie Fun Day, Executive Director of the Nashville North Collaborative (Senator Oliver, Brenda Haywood, Rep. Love, Rep. Dixie, CM Toombs, CM Gamble and CM Taylor). The group host events (school supply and backpack giveaways, get out the vote drives, expungement clinics, monetary donations to schools in the area) which cater to the needs of the people North of the city. Chairperson of the”
What will be your top three priorities on the Council?
“Securing appropriate infrastructure, smart growth for the district and maintaining constant communication throughout term.”
What is the biggest issue facing your district? How would you approach it?
“Insufficient infrastructure”
Much of the city’s developmental focus, like plans for a new East Bank, have focused on downtown. What’s your vision for downtown?
“I believe that a health downtown should be the financial engine for infrastructure and growth throughout the rest of the city.”
Did you or would you have voted to approve the new Titans stadium financing legislation?
“I would vote for a new stadium, because the ancillary benefits to the city are too great. The team is contributing $840 million dollars, the state and $500 million, $760 million from bonds and 1% from hotel-motel tax. The alternative is continuing to repair our current failing stadium, only to have to replace it later.”
Does Metro need more police officers beyond the unfilled positions?
“Yes, we need to be looking at the future and not where we are today.”
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?
“I support license plate readers. I also support facial recognition, if there is a missing child and our if someone is a danger to the community.”
Do you think a property tax rate adjustment will be needed in the next 4 years? Why or why not?
“No, because the property values are increasing, and more businesses will be sharing the tax burden. Additionally, I hope the state will approve impact fees for Davidson and Shelby Counties.”
Do you view your role in the Council as leading your district on issues or simply reflecting the views of the district’s residents?
“I view my future role as leading District 1 along the community leaders that I will add to my advisor community.”
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 think Metro and the General Assembly are meant to be sovereign bodies. I think we as a city should be governing ourselves and the state should be an ally and not a hindrance.”
The city is experiencing an affordability crisis. What is the council’s role in creating more housing for buyers and renters in Nashville?
“The council should increase the Barnes Fund, fight for impact fees as an additional source of revenue and provide developers with long term leases on unused Metro property if they are willing to build affordable housing.”
What improvements do you think WeGo should make during the next four years? Would you back creation of a dedicated funding source?
“WeGo is essential to alleviate traffic congestions. I certainly would be willing to commit to the creation of a dedicate funding source.”
Second-quarter campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $10,350
Spent: $7,248
Cash on hand: $3,512
Link to full disclosure here
Pre-General campaign finance disclosure
Did not file