The Shelby County Commission is unlikely to wrap up its budget season Monday, June 3, despite having an agenda with final votes scheduled on the budget and the property tax rate. 

A judge set a trial date for Wanda Halbert during the first court appearance in her ouster suit. She’ll also be back in court in June for a hearing on whether she should be suspended pending the outcome of the August trial.

Most of the amendments to the budget approved in committees would be funded out of the county’s general fund and throw Mayor Lee Harris’ proposal out of balance if the full commission approves them.

Shelby County Budget Director Michael Thompson talks about the 2024 budget season — and the savings found in vacant county positions — on The Daily Memphian’s “On The Record” podcast.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Gloria Johnson campaigns in Memphis over the long holiday weekend and hopes Democrats throw national support behind her effort to upset incumbent Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn.

Also happening this week: Michalyn Easter-Thomas’ ethics hearing, Riverview Community Center’s opening and Mayor Young’s town hall in Raleigh.

National Weather Service Memphis stated in its forecast that Shelby County can expect heavy evening rainfall with 10 to 15 miles per hour winds. 

In a move that critics say will cause backlogs, the county will lose Division 9 of Criminal Court effective July 1 and Division 7 of Circuit Court effective Sept. 1.

The Daily Memphian reviewed human resources data and the county budget to determine the number of SCSO vacancies and the amount of funding the sheriff’s office receives.

The Tennessee Highway safety office said fatalities are down 26% in Shelby County as well. 

The ordinance that sets the county property tax rate still has a blank where the rate goes. But commissioners approved Tuesday where the pennies on the tax rate go based on keeping the $3.39 rate the same.

At least 340 electronic cell doors currently have to be operated manually, giving inmates the opportunity to potentially reach out and assault the staff. 

Related story:

County Commission wrestles with property-tax rate as July 1 deadline looms

The County Commission has several Shelby County Sheriff’s Office items to vote on Monday, from emergency money for new jail door locks to calling for collaboration on what happens next at the juvenile detention center on Old Getwell Road.

Regional One Health and the Shelby County Health Department will both launch Healthy Start programs with federal funding to improve maternal and child health outcomes in high-need communities. 

Wanda Halbert says she’s working on a plan, but she said her reports may still be late or inaccurate, the software auditors recommended doesn’t work for her office and the county is not funding her enough.

“We consider it to be defunding police,” a Shelby County Sheriff’s Office official said of a proposed budget that cuts 441 vacant positions from the Sheriff’s office, a $31.4 million impact. 

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris told the Memphis Rotary Club he has asked leaders of both of the city’s health care giants about becoming involved in the rebuild of Regional One Health. But he also admitted the discussions haven’t gotten very far yet.

Developer Yehuda Netanel has fallen short in his attempt to obtain the necessary financing to save his The Lake District project in Lakeland.

Asked about Halbert’s statements, Mayor Lee Harris told The Daily Memphian: “I’m shocked by everything you just said. The rabbit hole has gotten deeper.”

Shelby County chief administrative officer Harold Collins expects a completed testing report on the facility — which was indefinitely closed April 25 after mold, asbestos and lead were discovered within it — “hopefully” Friday, May 10.

More than 100 locks remain broken on Shelby County Jail cell doors, and some of the replacement parts are no longer made. 

The vote came with some important changes to accomodate large solar arrays within the city that MLGW pushed for. The Memphis City Council votes on the measure Tuesday, May 7.

Two resolutions to fund the clerk’s office, including a pay raise, were withdrawn from the County Commission’s agenda Monday, May 6, without comment.