City and county budget seasons are winding down. Here’s what two local leaders have to say.
The Shelby County Commission is looking at a possible tax increase while the Memphis City Council is expected to keep the city’s tax rate the same.
Topic: Michael Whaley
RSSThere are 78 article(s) tagged Michael Whaley:
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June 2026
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County Commission sets (tentative) property tax rate
Commissioners delayed votes on operating and capital budgets to a June 29 meeting that will also include a final vote on the property tax hike.
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County Commission has major decisions to get budget and tax rate across finish line
Adding more funding to county reserves is competing with a scaled-down lawsuit settlement, more spending and a basic tax rate that has been reduced by the state for the new fiscal year.
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County commissioners consider keeping $2.69 property tax rate
Shelby County commissioners talked Wednesday, June 3, about leaving the county property tax rate at $2.69. It’s a discussion they’ve had in past budget seasons with different rates. But this year’s decision may be different.
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County delays $18M lawsuit settlement as debate continues
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the county administration say they agree on dollar figures, but not a solution to the dispute.
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$18 million sheriff’s lawsuit settlement returns to County Commission
The expensive legal settlement grew more complex last week with word that the $18 million would have to be included in future Sheriff’s Office budgets.
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May 2026
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What’s in Lee Harris’ ‘lean and mean’ county budget proposal?
Lowering the property-tax rate a few cents and another proposed school, the third of his tenure, highlighted Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ final budget proposal.
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April 2026
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County Commission takes small step toward new or renovated jail
Monday’s resolution could eventually result in a list of basic questions and cost options — but it probably won’t be until a new county mayor and commission take office.
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March 2026
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Data-center tax estimates lift County Commission gloom
When Shelby County commissioners began their budget retreat, the outlook for tough financial decisions in the upcoming budget season was as gloomy as the persistent rain and overcast skies outside the Memphis Zoo’s Teton Trek lodge.
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October 2025
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County Commission approves fix for cash-flow crunch
Commissioners also began to talk Monday, Oct. 6, about the county’s other financial problem that prompted the Tennessee comptroller to bar approval of any new bonds for the next year.
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July 2025
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Commissioners consider cutting terms of MSCS board members
Five of seven County Commissioners present for a Wednesday test vote supported a move that ultimately would cut in half the terms of five school board members elected in 2024.
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June 2025
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County Commission re-mixes budget on eve of new fiscal year
A special meeting of the Shelby County Commission Monday was delayed for two hours in a dramatic rewriting of a key budget provision.
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Property tax face-off will close out county budget season
A potential property tax hike looms as the Shelby County Commission tackles its budget and the Sheriff’s Office fights for funding.
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Mayor Harris wants to add crime lab funding to budget
County commissioners wrestled with budget amendments Wednesday totaling well past the $100 million mark, including the county mayor’s proposal.
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May 2025
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County Commission braces for another budget battle
Shelby County commissioners drew battle lines at their Monday, May 19, session as they go into the home stretch of their budget season.
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County Ethics Commission reactivation dies quick, quiet death
Commissioner Michael Whaley withdrew an ordinance that would have downsized the Ethics Commission in order to get the group to meet — something it hasn’t done in years.
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Noisy debate doesn’t deter County Commission from ethics vote
The vote brought to the surface deep differences the body has with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, and one commissioner brought a plastic bag filled with house shoes.
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County Commission to vote on putting all MSCS seats on ballot
The ordinance is possible because of a state law passed in the Tennessee Legislature this year that enabled local legislative bodies to do that in Shelby and Knox counties.
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County ethics proposals could face ‘can of Raid’ and ‘house shoes’
Two ethics proposals return to the Shelby County Commission Monday. County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr., who faces criminal charges himself, is accusing others of wrongdoing.
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March 2025
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County Commission may attempt to block state schools takeover
“If we do nothing then we are really leaving ourselves at the will of the state,” said Commissioner Shante Avant.
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For years, Mayor has tried to appoint new members to ethics board. County Commission hasn’t taken a single vote
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has produced six letters, going back to April 2021, in which he asked the County Commission to vote on new ethics board members.
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County Commission will continue giving grants, despite federal bribery case
A proposed one-month moratorium on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners’ grant program was voted down, but the commission may change how grants are made. There could also changes to the ethics board.
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County Commission has little appetite for giving itself a raise
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County Commission to mull grants moratorium, other ethics moves
The possible freeze, which follows the indictment of Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. on bribery and tax evasion charges linked to grants, is one of the items on the March 17 agenda.
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Commissioners weigh moratorium on program at heart of Ford indictment
The grant program that allots each county commissioner $200,000 is at the heart of federal bribery and tax-evasion charges against Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr.
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Inside proposed ethics changes for Shelby County government
The proposals include ballot questions for voters countywide in 2026 and an attempt to bring to life the dormant Shelby County Ethics Commission — or abolish it.
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