The wheel tax hike approved last month is a done deal. But the commission’s Democratic majority is still fractured over the decision. 

Commissioners also elect leaders for the second year of their four-year term of office Monday. And the election of a chair and chair pro tempore could indicate what divisions remain among the commission’s Democratic majority after last month’s tumultuous wheel tax debate and vote.

“We believe the body to be that of Israel Powell, but this is still under investigation,” said John Morris, spokesman with the sheriff’s office.

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Sheriff’s department searching for missing 3-year-old

The child went missing last night from the 5100 block of Laurel Springs Drive. 

The Political Roundup looks at campaigning in the summer heat, the most active council races and a growing field of possible contenders for Memphis mayor.

Some suburban residents are still dealing with power issues related to the devastating June 25 storm this holiday weekend, including some who already endured a week without electricity.

The Shelby County Commission Scorecard follows the complex four-month path of the $25 wheel-tax hike, with a mix of the roll call votes and developments outside commission meetings that shaped the compromise.

The $25 wheel-tax hike compromise approved by the Shelby County Commission broke a polite form of dysfunction on the body that could give way to a working majority crossing party lines on other issues.

With an excessive heat warning currently in effect in Shelby County, cooling centers are available to help the public beat the heat.

The hard-hit suburbs of Northeast Shelby County are still dealing with power outages, downed trees and congested intersections as a result of last weekend’s storm.

The Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office requested an outside prosecutor “due to the need to avoid a conflict of interest and any appearance of impropriety.”

The utility replaced more than 350 wooden utility poles in three days.

MLGW needs to clear about 1,400 miles of vegetation each year to maintain its tree-trimming schedule; in the past four years combined, however, it hasn’t been able to meet that goal.

The wheel-tax hike’s approval on a 9-4 vote ends the county’s budget season with the financing in place for three landmark capital projects.

The 50,000 customers still waiting on power to be restored can cool down at Baker Community Center as temperatures approach triple digits.

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MLGW expects boil water advisory to end tomorrow

55,000 MLGW customers without power as triple-digit temperatures approach

The $25 a year increase in the wheel tax was a last-minute compromise that funds the three major projects it is aimed at, but does not build funding for future schools projects. The commission takes a second crucial vote on the tax hike Wednesday.

Mid-South residents shared their images from after Sunday’s thunderstorms.

Low water pressure forced the advisory.

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MLGW: Power restoration from Sunday night storms could take days

The Shelby County Commission meets Monday, June 26, with a new version of the wheel tax hike that failed earlier this month on the agenda. 

Known as the overdose harm-reduction program, the Health Department is now providing kits with two doses of naloxone and 10 fentanyl test strips at community events.

Shelby County commissioners are still considering a hike in the wheel tax or the property tax to complete their budget season. 

The new county funding would be for 40 new counselors with the goal of preventing a “cross over” of children coming to the court for child welfare issues and then moving to delinquent behavior.

Janet Hooks, the county commission’s special adviser to Clerk Wanda Halbert, also says the commission should restore $1 million in funding to Halbert’s office that it cut earlier so she can fill positions with new employees instead of moving existing employees around.

Four county commissioners — two from each political party — met Sunday, June 11, with Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris for four hours. They came up with a compromise that has a wheel-tax hike back in play after it was rejected by the commission earlier this month. But property tax hikes are also in play.

Hiring challenges and overwhelming caseloads for public defenders aren’t new. The local office is doing what it can to incentivize new recruits.