New County Budget Approved Including Jobs in Sheriffโs Office
MEMPHIS, Tenn. โ After a lengthy session that extended past midnight, Shelby County Commissioners have approved a new county budget that includes a consistent property tax rate, 6% increased pay for county employees, and the retention of several positions in the Sheriffโs department. This endorsement served as a significant victory for Sheriff Floyd Bonner, who fought a vigorous campaign to save these posts.
Sheriffโs Office Jobs in Jeopardy
Initially, under Mayor Lee Harrisโ proposal, the budget suggested slashing 441 vacancies from the Sheriffโs office that had remained unfilled for over a year. Sheriff Bonner, however, was prepared for a legal confrontation over this matter, arguing that a state law prevented such budget cuts to the Sheriffโs office. He had assembled a legal team and was ready to take the issue to court.
In the words of Bonner, โI was very serious about suing. We had our attorney. We had everything lined up. The state law requires, in other words, the state law says that the sheriffโs budget cannot be cut.โ
Compromise Reached
The new county budget involved difficult choices as the county balanced increased spending on schools and the rebuilding of the Regional One hospital against the desirability of avoiding a property tax increase. The property tax rate remains unaltered at $3.39 per $100 of assessed value. However, Sheriff Bonner was unwavering in his stance on maintaining public safety.
According to Bonner, more potential employees are applying for positions within the sheriffโs office. โWe started a new jail class this morning with 22. Weโre starting to see numbers that we hadnโt seen in years,โ he said. โWe are hiring as quickly and best as we can. Things are really going well.โ
Other Budget Cuts Approved
Commissioner Mick Wright pushed through several cuts, including eliminating funding for the county clerkโs office in Poplar Plaza, which was closed following the eviction of the county clerk. However, amid the significant decisions, the headline news is the protection of the sheriffโs office positions. The fiscal year 2025 budget takes effect on July 1.
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
