The Political Roundup looks at some sparks in the early field for Shelby County in the 2026 county elections and examines the political divide over what kind of a relationship a majority Democratic or blue city should keep with leaders of a red state.

The County Commission Scorecard tracks the set of seven votes on a new county property tax rate that brought the county’s budget season to an end.

The Commission meets in special session Monday, June 30, to vote on a budget amendment that would undo some of the $23.4 million in amendments it made to Mayor Lee Harris’s budget proposal.

Related content:

County Commission Scorecard: Tracking budget and tax-rate votes

A majority of Shelby County commissioners favored some kind of small property tax hike in the new budget, but ultimately couldn’t get seven votes on how to split up the additional revenue. 

A potential property tax hike looms as the Shelby County Commission tackles its budget and the Sheriff’s Office fights for funding. 

County commissioners wrestled with budget amendments Wednesday totaling well past the $100 million mark, including the county mayor’s proposal.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is changing the county property tax rate his administration is proposing to match the state’s certified rate.

County mayor accused Ford of “not taking seriously” the federal indictment against him. At stake, right now, is a nearly $180,000 grant for an entertainment industry nonprofit.

Also in the Political Roundup: City vs. county at Southwind High, a short history of going from the Senate to the governor’s mansion in Tennessee and Lee Harris on his successor and his next campaign.

Budget Committee Chair Miska Clay Bibbs said commissioners have little time to iron out details of 23 amendments to Mayor Lee Harris’ budget proposal.

The county property tax rate proposed by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is four cents higher than the state’s certified rate, but he said it’s not a tax hike.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office commissioned the study by Jim Hart, a jail management consultant with the University of Tennessee’s County Technical Advisory Service.

In a social media post, Kuhn described the county as being “in crisis” and touted her expertise in county government.

A new plan for a local crime lab would focus on three specific areas with an estimated annual cost of $5.5 million. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and District Attorney General Steve Mulroy took the plan to Shelby County Commissioners Wednesday, June 4.

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center has operated the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center since 2014. 

For the past several months, Memphis City Councilman Jeff Warren has been giving tours of Methodist University Hospital. His goal is simple: Convince the community it doesn’t need to spend $1 billion on a new campus for Regional One. 

The full commission has one more voting meeting on June 23 to approve an operating budget, a capital budget and set the county property-tax rate before the fiscal year begins.

A grassroots organizer emerged as the winner over a retired businessman and party activist.

Thaddeus Smiley remains missing after jumping into the Wolf River in an attempt to save a drowning child, who survived. In a separate incident, a boy in Arlington was found dead in a pool.

The Memphis native has led the department since July 2021. 

As jail population management coordinator, retired Criminal Court Judge Bobby Carter’s goal is to reduce the number of people in Shelby County’s overcrowded jail. 

In an “apples and oranges” comparison, the Shelby County Trustee said her office and the mayor’s administration don’t project county revenue the same way. 

The summertime Art for All digital pass gives kids free, unlimited entry to a dozen Memphis area museums. It joins the physical Art for All card that offers one-time admission to 30 attractions all year long.

Shelby County has closed on the office building and warehouse on the site of The Commercial Appeal’s former 16-acre campus at 495 Union Ave.