The doubling of the $50 annual wheel tax is integral to County Mayor Lee Harris’ plan to expand the county’s capital budget from $75 million annually to $150 million.

The commission scorecard tracks critical votes so far to fill in the blanks on a resolution that could raise the county’s wheel tax and an ordinance that could drop the county’s property tax rate.

In February 2022, the LUCB rejected plans to build the Tournament Trails Center complex at 3581 Tournament Drive-South, but a decision in April 2022 from the Memphis City Council reversed that decision. 

During Wednesday committee sessions, Shelby County commissioners set up later votes on a property rate that would remain the same while a commissioner’s resolution to do away with the wheel tax altogether waits in the wings. 

For several years, Shelby County’s air monitoring program has been understaffed, behind schedule on issuing permits for major emitters and out of compliance with federal standards. But the office reports it’s fixed some of its issues.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris pushed for the wheel-tax hike to help rebuild Regional One during Memphis Rotary Tuesday. The Shelby County Commission will take its first look at the proposal today. 

Memphis Public Libraries did away with monetary fines in November 2019, and library leaders say that is here to stay.

MPD will lead security, with augmentation from other agencies, including the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The almost 20-year difference between estimated life expectancies across Shelby County is a product of differences in food, education, crime rates and access to all sorts of resources. 

Mayor Lee Harris is proposing dropping the rate, but the votes weren’t there. Meanwhile, another effort to take a possible step toward ouster proceedings against County Clerk Wanda Halbert came up short.

A corrections officers brought the inmate to Jail Medical for breathing difficulties at 5:45 a.m. Monday. 

Business owners and residents who suffered damage during recent tornadoes in North Mississippi are eligible to apply for long-term, low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration.

The study will consider how much waste enters landfills compared to recycling, composting or other waste-processing facilities over the course of at least two seasons.

The Monday commission meeting has a short agenda with votes toward a new solid waste plan and funding for a new prekindergarten classroom in Millington.

The county is looking for nonprofit attractions to participate in the 901 Student Passport Program, which returns this summer. Beyond free museum admission, activities for local youth will be coordinated with the YMCA and other organizations.

Harris also outlined the funding and timetable for historic county capital projects — the rebuilding of the Regional One Health campus and new high schools in Cordova and Frayser.

The Wednesday, April 26, presentation by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris includes a multi-year $350 million funding commitment toward a rebuild of the Regional One Health campus and money for new high schools.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris takes a proposal to the County Commission next week to fund the county’s share of the $700-million capital project. Commissioner Mick Wright says he hopes that can be coupled with a property tax reduction.

The commission took action on the two project as part of a light agenda Monday, April 17. Meanwhile, the county continues to search for another fire station site in southeast Shelby County.

The Shelby County Commission votes Monday, April 17, on a contract for a new county fire house in a part of Corova de-annexed by the city of Memphis in 2021.

My Sistah’s House provides housing, advocacy and resource assistance for the Memphis area’s LGBTQ community with an emphasis on Black transgender women, who are reported to experience homelessness at a rate of more than five times the national average.

The new special adviser to Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert says she has some “concrete ideas” about how to end lines outside the office locations.

However, it could take years for the proposed regulations, which would govern emissions of a cancer-causing chemical, to be finalized and enforced. 

The long wait ends with more than 10,000 books, an upstairs performance space, digital studios for podcasts and a cafe.

Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, and former State Rep. Justin Jones were expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives last week.