Gallatin Residents Seek Court Ruling Enforcing 2018 term Limits

Summary of the Term‑Limits Court Complaint Filed in Sumner County

A group of Gallatin citizens has filed a lawsuit in Sumner County Chancery Court asking a judge to determine whether Mayor Paige Brown is legally allowed to run for a fourth consecutive term in 2026.

Why the Lawsuit Was Filed

In 2018, Gallatin voters overwhelmingly approved a City Charter amendment, by nearly 80%, that created term limits for the Mayor and City Council. The amendment, approved by the Tennessee General Assembly and then by voters, clearly states:

•     No person may serve more than three consecutive four‑year terms in the same office.

•     Anyone who has served more than half of a term plus three full terms cannot run again for that office.

Mayor Brown has already served:

•     2014–2018

•     2018–2022

•     2022–2026

This means she will have completed three consecutive terms by the 2026 election.

What Happened Next

Despite the term‑limits amendment, Mayor Brown filed paperwork in January 2026 to run again for a fourth term.

The plaintiffs, ten Gallatin residents and registered voters, argue that the City Charter does not allow her to qualify as a candidate in 2026. They are asking the court to:

•     Issue a temporary injunction preventing her from qualifying for the ballot while the case is decided.

•     Issue a declaratory judgment confirming that the Charter prohibits a fourth consecutive term.

•     Ensure clarity for voters and any potential candidates before the election process moves forward.

Why This Matters

The lawsuit centers on one key question:

Does the Gallatin City Charter, as amended by voters in 2018, legally prevent the Mayor from seeking a fourth consecutive term?

The plaintiffs argue that the answer is yes - and that the will of the voters, expressed clearly in the 2018 referendum, must be upheld.

Subject: Your Voice Matters in 2026: Let’s Shape the Future of Our Community

Dear Friends of Old Hickory Lake,

Our community proved something powerful this year. When the Foxland Harbor marina proposal threatened our lake, our neighborhoods, and our quality of life, it was the citizens, not the elected officials, who made the difference. You showed up. You contacted your representatives. You attended City Council meetings - often filling the room. You asked hard questions, demanded transparency, and refused to be ignored.

Because of your persistence and our demand letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the project was stopped. This was a citizen‑driven victory, achieved without the help of our elected officials. While residents were united, informed, and vocal, many of the leaders who represent us chose not to stand with the community. Some members of the Gallatin City Council voted against the best interests of our neighborhoods. Others, including members of our state and federal delegation, remained silent, even as hundreds of citizens raised legitimate concerns.

And importantly, our state delegation could have taken one simple, meaningful step:

They could have notified the City of Gallatin and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that the proposed marina would have had a significant impact on Nashville Pike, a state highway. They could have called for a state traffic study to ensure safety, congestion, and infrastructure impacts were fully evaluated. They did not.

Next time, we expect our legislative delegation to be more engaged. While we recognize that their authority is limited because this was primarily a local and federal issue, they still have influence - and we expect them to use it. Our community deserves elected officials who are active partners in protecting Old Hickory Lake, not bystanders.

Going forward, we need you to continue doing exactly what made this victory possible. We need you to keep contacting not only the Gallatin City Council but when appropriate, the state legislative delegation, as well.  And we need you to VOTE in the upcoming elections this year.

The threat of this project is not over.

The land remains zoned for a marina and multi‑use, which means another proposal could surface at any time. And Nat Caldwell Park, once known as Ski Cove, remains at risk of being targeted for some form of development by the city. We must stay vigilant, informed, and engaged.

This year, Friends of Old Hickory Lake will be focusing special attention on the Gallatin City Council and Mayoral elections. These are the leaders who make decisions every month that directly affect development, zoning, infrastructure of our city and the long‑term health of Old Hickory Lake. Their choices shape the character of our community more than any other level of government.

Your vote is your voice - and it remains one of the most powerful tools we have to protect the place we call home.

 

Gallatin City Council Voting in favor for the Marina

Mayor Paige Brown

Steve Fann

Shawn Fennell

Steve Carter

Paul Jones

(Vice Mayor Craig Hays - absent but stated he supports)

Gallatin City Council Voting against the Marina

Todd Alexander

Paschal Jouvence

Tennessee General Assembly

State Representative William Slater - District 35 -  615-741-2534

State Representative Johnny Garrett - District 45 - 615-741-3893

State Representative William Lamberth - District 44 - 615-741-1980

State Senator Ferrell Haile - District 18 - 615-741-1999
 
 

Thank you for your support. Please sign our petition, tell your friends,  and follow us on our website, www.friendsofoldhickorylake.com