Suburbs

After months of review, crunching numbers and meetings to decide on priorities, the six suburbs in Shelby County are winding up their annual budget and property tax decisions.

The annual financial plan decision is a long, arduous process that sets the blueprint for the operation of government for the next 12 months, beginning July 1.

I’ve always wondered if it is called fiscal year to differentiate from “calendar year” because it starts midway between January and December.

Anyway, there were a number of issues that came up during this budget season from how much the various municipal school districts deserved from the respective cities to the annual question of whether property taxes would increase.

The answer to the latter question is that all of the municipalities are holding the line on property taxes.

Ah, but those pesky fee increases drew more attention than usual this year, particularly in the cost of sanitation services.

And particularly in Germantown.

While some were holding the line in their cities, or going up a nominal $5 a month, like Collierville, Germantown residents will get a substantial increase in their sanitation bill.

The rate will go up 60% for homeowners who choose curbside collection, costing a monthly fee of $51.85. Those who want theirs picked up at the back door will pay $74.70 a month, a jump of 86%.

Those changes in rates, coupled with Waste Pro — the current contract holder — being the only company who bid on the services, brought a lot of opposition on social media and through other outlets.

That seemed to set the stage for a vocal opposition with plenty of speakers letting the Board of Mayor and Aldermen know their displeasure over the increase. And their opportunity to voice those points was set for this past Monday during the public hearing on the budget.

The complaints never came Monday night. The public hearing was called, and the aldermen prepared to hear from the public. But despite all the saber-rattling and chest-thumping, no one turned in their name to speak.

No one came to the microphone to address the board.

No one expressed their concerns about the contract.

Or the increase.

Maybe they had said their piece. After all, a handful of folks spoke when the board approved the contract in May.

Maybe they were tired of arguing their point.

Maybe they thought the board was not going to listen to them. That their time had passed with granting Waste Pro the contract and there being no other bidders.

Whatever the reason, the public chatter on social media never made it to the hearing before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday night. - Suburbs editor Clay Bailey

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