“Behind The Headlines,” hosted by Eric Barnes, CEO of The Daily Memphian, airs on WKNO Fridays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 8:30 a.m. The program can be seen in its entirety with the video link at the top of this article. The podcast version can be heard at the bottom of this story.

Spring in politics can be a down-time for some local elected incumbents because it is usually when budgets are proposed and rearranged and tax rates are set.

With less than a year to county elections, the incumbents on the Shelby County Commission are aware that their decisions, particularly on a property tax rate, are linked to the campaigning that will begin shortly.

Five of the 13 commissioners are serving a second term and cannot seek re-election in 2022. The remaining eight are in their first terms and could seek re-election next year with primaries in May 2022 – now less than a year away.

County Commission Scorecard: The votes to raise property taxes

The end of county government’s budget season with a penny property tax hike is part of the discussion on a reporters’ roundtable on the WKNO Channel 10 program “Behind The Headlines.” So is the city of Memphis budget process, which is not as far along as the county’s budget season.

The discussion features Memphis Flyer news editor Toby Sells.

County Commission approves 1-cent property tax hike to rate of $3.46

The commission has a fourth and final vote left on the county property tax rate, including the one-cent hike decided on at the commission’s June 7 meeting.

The City Council is expected to move to final votes Tuesday, June 15, including a vote on a proposed 26-cent tax hike by council member Martavius Jones.

Council member proposes city property tax 29 cents above recertified rate

The budget plans and tax rates take effect for the fiscal years of city and county government that each begin July 1.