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.

The Shelby County commissioner has pleaded not guilty to charges of alleged bribery and attempted tax evasion, and he faces a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. Though, if convicted, he likely would not see that much time behind bars.

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Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr., who was indicted last week, has been placed on leave without pay from his city job, the City of Memphis said Tuesday, March 4. 

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.

Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright identified three additional instances where Ford steered county funds to nonprofits federal investigators associated with an alleged kickback scheme.

Mayor Lee Harris also said he wants to meet with attorneys and other elected officials to see if further steps need to be taken.

While the indictment does not name the nonprofits, The Daily Memphian analyzed meeting minutes from the Shelby County Board of Commissioners and the Memphis City Council to determine which nonprofits were likely involved.

There is no provision for removing a Shelby County commissioner facing criminal charges, but there is a push to strengthen the ethics commission’s role, Chairman Michael Whaley said.

Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. has been indicted on one count of alleged bribery and kickbacks and six counts of attempted tax evasion, according to federal court documents filed Friday, Feb. 28. 

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Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. entered the Odell Horton Federal Building in Downtown Memphis at about 9:35 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28. 

The Shelby County Health Department recommends local hospitals adopt the “opt-out” approach, in which an HIV test will be part of a patient’s medical visit unless they decline. 

The commission approved more money to buy the property that goes with the old Commercial Appeal buildings. Deals on the three remaining adjacent parcels for the 16-acre site are still pending.

County commissioners are considering a raise for the whoever is elected Shelby County sheriff in 2026. Meanwhile, a proposal to give the next group of commissioners a pay raise was withdrawn.

The new General Sessions Criminal Court judge was chosen by Shelby County Board of Commissioners on Monday, Feb.24, on the third ballot. She takes office March 1.

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Commissioners could also have more to say about the forensic audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools they approved last month. Plus, the body will vote on several millions of dollars for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

County officials aren’t putting any dollar figures to the deficit they expect when County Mayor Lee Harris presents his budget proposal in late April. But it’s the talk of the County Commission’s early budget hearings.

After the ribbon-cutting for the adult wellness crisis center, Alliance Healthcare Services broke ground on the neighboring $11 million children’s wellness center.

The current U.S. Attorney, several judicial commissioners and more current and former assistant district attorneys filed applications by the Wednesday, Feb. 12, deadline set by the Shelby County Commission.

A group of countywide office holders was frustrated when the Shelby County Commission again delayed a vote on changes to hiring and funding they wanted. They were told that County Clerk Wanda Halbert needed to be included in the discussions.

The resolution approved Monday, Feb. 10, calls for $50,000 in funding for the audit from the County Commission’s contingency fund.

The commission also votes Monday on a set of three resolutions buying four more parcels on land on the new site for a rebuilt Regional One Health campus.

Shelby County Commissioners Mickell Lowery and Britney Thornton talked on “Behind The Headlines” about the political boundary between the commission and the MSCS board.

Two Shelby County Jail inmates died on Thursday and Friday, bringing the total to four this week.

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners will vote on the resolution at its Monday, Feb. 10, meeting, authorizing $50,000 from the commission’s contingency fund to pay for the audit.

As the end of Lee Harris’ tenure as Shelby County mayor nears, potential successors start laying the groundwork for their campaigns.