NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A longtime Nashville restaurant owner says skyrocketing property taxes are threatening not only his livelihood but the local flavor that defines downtown.
Carey Bringle, owner of Peg Leg Porker BBQ in the Gulch, says his property taxes have climbed from about $9,700 in 2013 to about $86,000 this year, that’s about an 800 percent increase.
“It’s tougher to make a living in the restaurant business than ever,” Bringle told FOX 17 News. “We had a 32 percent tax increase under Mayor Cooper, and now with these reappraisals, it’s a disaster.”
Bringle says he’s filed an appeal but doesn’t expect to see any relief soon. “Everybody in the city is disgusted by this,” he said. “They’ve got so many appeals that it will take a year before it’s heard.”
“We’re not getting anything in return”
Bringle says his frustration isn’t just with the numbers, it’s with what he sees as a lack of value for what businesses are paying.
“It’d be one thing if we were getting services appropriate for the amount of money we’re paying,” he said. “But we’re not. The streets are a disaster, the parking is a disaster, and they keep closing roads for projects that make it even harder to operate.”
The Davidson County Assessor’s Office says the reappraisal process is “revenue neutral,” meaning the county doesn’t collect additional money just because property values rise.
However, homeowners and business owners are seeing higher bills after Metro Council voted to raise the tax rate to balance the budget.
“Do we only want corporate chains downtown?”
Bringle fears the rising costs will wipe out the city’s local, family-owned restaurants and shops, leaving only large corporate operators who can afford the taxes.
“A local, family-owned and operated business cannot sustain this level of taxation,” he said. “Do we only want corporate, national businesses in downtown Nashville? Because that’s what we’re about to have, they’re the only ones that can afford this.”
He says many independent owners have already closed, pointing to Nashville landmarks that didn’t survive earlier tax hikes. “The small businesses are the heart of Nashville,” he added. “We built these neighborhoods, not City Hall.”
Tourists say local spots define Nashville
Visitors who spoke with FOX 17 News outside Peg Leg Porker say they come to Nashville because of its local flavor.
“I like smaller shops like this, mom-and-pop shops,” said Keren Morales from Las Vegas. “Bigger chains we can get at home. This is what I’m looking for as a tourist.”
“These businesses work so hard to be here and meet people from all over the world,” added Mackenzie Mayor, also visiting from Las Vegas. “It would be sad to see them go down.”
What’s next
Bringle says he’ll continue fighting his reappraisal and advocating for small business owners citywide. He believes without changes in how Metro sets and spends tax dollars, Nashville risks losing what makes it special.
“We’re trying to feed families and build a legacy,” he said. “But if the city keeps spending without a budget and taxing us to cover it, the people who made this city what it is won’t be able to stay.”
The Metro Board of Equalization is still reviewing appeals from homeowners and business owners across Davidson County.
CONTINUING COVERAGE | FOX 17’s Chris Nalls will speak with downtown business owners about what they believe could help reverse course, starting tomorrow morning at 4 a.m. on FOX 17 This Morning.
