The County Commission Scorecard looks at two pipeline-related resolutions voted down by the commission. One could return for reconsideration. The other could change the specific route of the pipeline through southwest Memphis.
“As many doses as I have on hand, that’s how many appointments I will have next week,” said City of Memphis COO Doug McGowen.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and a representative of County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. sparred Wednesday, March 24, over accusations that Ford violated the county charter with a 2019 grant and Harris’ involvement in the allegation.
Shelby County’s reproductive rate rose to 1 last week for the first time in 2021, indicating cases are again increasing, likely due to the highly contagious U.K. variant.
Cases of COVID-19 fell steadily in January and February. The plateau now is very likely due to the U.K. variant pulling the numbers up again, Dr. Manoj Jain says.
Commission also approves the appointment of Dr. Marco Ross as Shelby County medical examiner.
The County Commission put off a vote on the change in the reappraisal cycle until its April 12 meeting as commissioners hear a lot from constituents about increased property values in the current reappraisal.
The Monday, March 22, meeting also featured the defeat of a resolution calling for federal officials to reconsider a nationwide permit for the pipeline project granted in February by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
An independent report concluded Ford failed to disclose a county grant he proposed in 2019 would be used to buy computer equipment from Ford totaling $45,000.
All residents age 16 and older will be eligible to get vaccine appointments beginning next week, Shelby County Health Department Deputy Director David Sweat told county commissioners Monday afternoon, March 22.
The move to every other year comes as property owners are getting reappraisal notices this month that increased property values by an average of 15% to 20% countywide.
When Shelby County Schools students entered their school buildings this month, many did so for the first time in about a year. But children attending smaller suburban municipal districts had been back for months.
While many are surprised by their reappraisal, some Germantown residents feel the assessor’s office did not keep its promise after the 2019 flood.
Greater access through more public sites and pop-up events combined with higher vaccine allotments from the state and declining wait times are three reasons attributed to the changes in recent weeks.
Face mask directive is effective today; health directive changes begin Saturday.
The 15-page report obtained by The Daily Memphian details a nearly year-long investigation that initially faded for lack of corroboration but came back to life as paperwork confirming the grant emerged. Ford has contended he recused himself since he left the room during the vote on the grant. The report says that doesn’t resolve the conflict of interest and could lead to his removal from office.
Here are a few links and pointers to follow if you have questions about your reappraisal notice. Property values jump in reappraisals but tax calculations still to comeRelated story:
About two-thirds of the new property values, done once every four years, have been mailed. The reappraisal starts a complex and political process across all of the local governments in Shelby County that ends with setting new property tax rates.Related story:
State will issue final report in several weeks on the lapses it found at the Shelby County Health Department.
The County Commission Scorecard tracks votes on a piece of legislation in Nashville that would change the way county commissioners are elected and final approval of a share of county contracts for locally owned small businesses.
Due to glitches with the state’s VRAS vaccine signup program, Shelby County has reverted to SignUpGenius to schedule appointments, Mayor Jim Strickland announced.
The notices are drawing fire from a county commissioner after the commission approved $180,000 more in funding last month for the direct mail piece. The assessor’s office says it is Melvin Burgess’ way of “owning” the process.
Hall will serve up to 90 days and will also help conduct the search for new permanent director.
When state investigation is over, state Health Commissioner Dr. Lisa Piercey says she will report to the citizens of Shelby County.
Bartlett’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen authorized Mayor Keith McDonald to enter an agreement with Lakeland and Arlington to open a joint vaccination location at its meeting Tuesday.