Politics Podcast: The city budget and a view from the council
City council budget committee chairman Martavius Jones talks about the city budget season and the effect of the pandemic on city finances.
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City council budget committee chairman Martavius Jones talks about the city budget season and the effect of the pandemic on city finances.
The council moved $354 million in bonds closer to a summer issuance. But the bonds took a back seat to more maneuvering in the question of whether MLGW should continue its 80-year relationship with TVA. And in the process, it looks like one rival to TVA may have been ruled out.
Strickland has three possible options for a city budget proposal in the new fiscal year that starts July 1. Also on the council agenda is the first steps toward a $354 million MLGW bond issue, a resolution calling for no restrictions on absentee voting by mail and an ordinance to require face masks in all public places in the city.
The money is to help businesses and communities get back on their feet from the economic blow that has accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic. But the city is still searching for new federal funding proposals that could be used to make up for more than $100 million in revenue losses the city is expected to take in the economic shutdown.
The mask resolution was proposed as a rule requiring all within the city to wear coverings of some kind before some council members questioned how it could be enforced.
The city council's attorney has been bond counsel on 17 of the 18 Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division bond issues over the past 28 years. The relationship is being brought up again as the utility's relationship with TVA is being examined.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland says the city faces an $80 million loss of revenues from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in a worst-case scenario and a “status quo” budget with no growth is the most optimistic forecast of federal and state government relief.
Former City Council member Florence Leffler died this week, ending a life as an educator, actress and politician and sometimes a blend of all three.
The council's second online meeting includes a pared-down agenda of 17 items and a committee discussion on changes to the city's upcoming budget season that means no council community grants.
Mayor Jim Strickland plans to keep his April 21 date to present his budget proposal for the new fiscal year to the city council as his administration evaluates the impact of the COVID-19 virus on sales tax revenues that finance some of the city's biggest construction projects.
No one was at City Hall for the meeting which was all on-line except for roll call votes by voice on matters for an institution that has had electronic voting for nearly 40 years.
The Tuesday council session includes setting aside $2 million in the city budget for pandemic responses like reducing transit fees and better funding the Mid-South Food Bank.
Here is everything you need to know to watch Tuesday's meeting of the Memphis City Council -- a rare online-only session of the city's legislative body during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Changes to state law approved in subcommittee Wednesday will allow bodies like the Shelby County Commission and Memphis City Council to meet and take votes by conference calls.
This week was to have been a critical point in the grant process, with grant-writing and administration workshops that are required for getting a grant from the City Council.
For now, the city council will keep its ground rules for dispensing $2.6 million in grant money at $200,000 per council member. But the council continues to battle what is a longer line of organizations seeking a limited amount of money.
The two city measures reflect larger debates about criminal justice reform and the increasing use of cameras in public settings.
Strickland told city council members Tuesday that the referendum isn't binding on the city and that most voters would support such a use of extra revenue beyond a restoration of benefits cut by the city six years ago. The idea is still in the talking stage, with Strickland to take his plan to the council in April when he presents his city budget proposal.
All of the kits from the backlog that first came to light in 2012 have been tested, Memphis Police say. About 6,000 cases in which DNA was found are awaiting investigation.
The tax hike and restoration was approved by city voters in 2019. But there are doubts that the revenue from the extra half-cent is enough to pay for the return of benefits the city cut in 2014.
Three of the six new Memphis City Council members talked about the larger issues on "Behind The Headlines." They are the latest council members in more than a decade to take up the topic of residency.
Memphis City Council members Rhonda Logan, Chase Carlisle and JB Smiley Jr. discuss their first impressions after four city council meetings and the residency referendum with host Eric Barnes and Bill Dries of The Daily Memphian.