There are 65 article(s) tagged Amber Mills:

• March 2022

  • Renovation costs for juvenile detention center more than double

    The detention center has been a goal of the current county administration and commission since they came to office nearly four years ago.

    By Bill Dries March 21, 2022

• September 2021

  • County redistricters take ‘first pass’ with first maps

    The Shelby County Commission’s ad hoc group on the new district lines got its first look at some proposed maps for the redistricting plan this week. The group makes recommendations to the full commission, which decides on how to deal with shifts in population within its 13 districts.

    By Bill Dries September 23, 2021

• August 2021

  • Commission’s veto override of ethics panel takes another turn

    Commissioners made changes Monday to the blue ribbon ethics panel it created despite a veto by county Mayor Lee Harris. The changes didn’t go down well with those who wanted the group to report directly to the commission and not the county Ethics Commission.

    By Bill Dries August 25, 2021

• July 2021

  • We don’t trust like we used to, but does it have to stay that way?

    In a world with ever-increasing access to news and information, Americans find it more difficult to trust in core institutions, such as government, business and media, and in each other. But perhaps on the local level, there is more hope.

    Related story:

    Opinion: Reporters and readers have a shared responsibility to pursue truth

    By Don Wade July 05, 2021

• June 2021

  • Commission Republicans take back votes opposing critical race theory ban

    Republican county commissioners who voted two weeks ago in favor of a resolution urging Gov. Bill Lee to veto a ban on teaching critical race theory took back their yes votes Monday. The resolution still passed.

    By Bill Dries June 08, 2021

• January 2021

  • Limits on surplus military equipment for Sheriff’s Office approved after lots of changes

    The ordinance allows the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency and Homeland Security to acquire some surplus military hardware for protection and natural disasters. But most military hardware offered by the federal government requires a majority vote of the commission.

    By Bill Dries January 25, 2021

• December 2020

  • Last of county police reform measures pushed into new year

    The delay in the final vote on requiring County Commission approval for the sheriff to acquire surplus military hardware came after Sheriff Floyd Bonner complained he hadn’t been consulted. County Mayor Lee Harris disputed that assertion.

    By Bill Dries December 21, 2020

• November 2020

  • A house divided: Political split often falls along city/rural lines

    Political and cultural division in Memphis, the state of Tennessee and the country, is real. But as polarized as Americans might be, it has been worse and it can get better.

    By Don Wade November 29, 2020

• October 2020

  • County Commission votes down police excessive force ordinance

    Shelby County commissioners voted down an ordinance that would have required the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to decertify deputies who use excessive force and to keep a record of officers who are fired or resign because of an excessive-force complaint. 

    By Bill Dries October 12, 2020

• September 2020

  • Public safety reforms go to County Commission for second reading

    Ordinances that address use of force, the purchase of military equipment and the use of tear gas will go to the full commission without a second reading committee vote.

    By Linda A. Moore September 24, 2020

  • Debate on police reform proposals at County Commission gets heated

    The three ordinances are scheduled for the first of three votes on Monday. And still to weigh in on the proposals is Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner.

    By Bill Dries September 10, 2020

• August 2020

  • County hiring freeze continues to thaw with questions about budget numbers

    Shelby County commissioners approved a waiver to the freeze Monday for county firefighters but put off another waiver for 78 more positions in other departments. 

    By Bill Dries August 24, 2020

• July 2020

  • County Commission Scorecard: The Race for Number Two

    First-term Republican Commissioner Brandon Morrison became chairman pro tempore of the commission with the votes of six of the eight Democratic commissioners and none of the votes of her four Republican colleagues on the body. While it's controversial, the political move is also a common feature of commission politics.

    By Bill Dries July 30, 2020

  • Vandals target homes of county officials

    Authorities are investigating after, police say, vandals targeted the homes of Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner and County Commissioners Mark Billingsley and Amber Mills Tuesday, July 28.

    By Yolanda Jones, Bill Dries July 29, 2020

• June 2020

  • County Commission passes first police reform resolutions

    The nonbinding resolutions approved by the Shelby County Commission call for adoption of “8 Can’t Wait” use of force measures for law enforcement and call racism a pandemic with associated health issues for people of color. 

    By Bill Dries June 23, 2020

• March 2020

  • Commission committee supports buying Core Civic Shelby Training Center

    The county plans to renovate the facility to house about 146 young people.

    By Linda A. Moore March 18, 2020

  • Sexual harassment policy resolution passes County Commission

    A resolution that asks Shelby County government to enforce the rules laid out in the employee handbook on sexual harassment regardless of who is accused was passed by the County Commission Monday, March 9.

    By Linda A. Moore March 11, 2020

  • Paid parental leave now a reality for Shelby County employees

    The new policy launches July 1 and gives six weeks pay for county employees who have a baby or adopt.

    By Linda A. Moore March 09, 2020

  • County commissioners want sexual-harassment policy enforced

    Shelby County commissioners want to send a message about following the sexual harassment policy, regardless of who is accused.

    By Linda A. Moore March 04, 2020

• February 2020

  • Commission panel has suggestions on monitoring employee residency

    Committee recommendations include an annual certification of residency for Shelby County employees.

    By Linda A. Moore February 29, 2020

  • Residency rules go away for sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, corrections officers

    Amending the county's residency requirements for public safety workers is intended to help with hiring and retention. 

    By Linda A. Moore February 25, 2020

  • Living outside Shelby County could come with a cost for some workers

    If approved, an amended ordinance would let public safety workers live outside of Shelby County, but they would pay $2,500 in "residency compensation."

    By Linda A. Moore February 19, 2020

  • County officials learn PILOTs won’t raise funds fast enough for MATA

    There are things the Shelby County can and can't do to raise $10 million for public transit.

    By Linda A. Moore February 18, 2020

• January 2020

  • Suburban opponents denounce MATA funding proposals

    Suburban leaders are raising the alarm over proposals to help fund Memphis Area Transit Authority improvements.

    By Michael Waddell January 30, 2020

  • Sanford: Memphis politicos pick their presidential candidates

    State legislators and the Memphis and Shelby County mayors are among elected officials who have endorsed a presidential candidate and plan to campaign for their choice.

    By Otis Sanford January 30, 2020