News Summary
The Shelby County Commission will meet on June 23 to discuss amendments to Mayor Lee Harris’ proposed $1.7 billion budget. Key topics include a potential property tax hike and enhanced county services, including education and healthcare. Mayor Harris aims for a property tax rate of $2.73, promoting a budget that prioritizes education by earmarking funds for new high schools and expanded healthcare programs. As the commission approaches its meeting, the implications of these budget decisions for local residents remain significant.
MEMPHIS – The Shelby County Commission is set to convene on June 23 to discuss potential amendments to County Mayor Lee Harris’ proposed $1.7 billion budget. This meeting will commence at 3 p.m. and may conclude the commission’s budget season, possibly including a discussion on a property tax hike.
The current property tax rate stands at $3.39. Mayor Harris advocates for a revised rate of $2.73, which he asserts would adequately support his budgetary needs for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1. The tax rate in the ordinance designated for this period remains blank at present.
Central to Mayor Harris’s proposal is a commitment to enhance county services without excessive spending. His budget outlines plans to broaden the county’s free healthcare program, extending it to the Raleigh area, and implementing a minimum pay rate of $40,000 for county employees. Education remains a priority, with a significant portion of the budget earmarked for Shelby County Schools, including a pledge to construct two new high schools for Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS).
The interim Superintendent of MSCS, Roderick Richmond, has highlighted a budget proposal that includes funding for essential deferred maintenance and various safety initiatives within schools. In a recent budget passed by the MSCS board on June 11, a total of $1.9 billion was designated for enhancements such as security personnel, safety improvements, and funding for educational programs during spring and fall breaks.
The MSCS budget will remain open for amendments until June 30, according to the district’s assistant superintendent of operations. The budget allocates $490,000 for learning academies aimed at bolstering educational opportunities during breaks. However, the district has encountered some uncertainty regarding $55.6 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds due to alterations in the fund’s liquidation timeline.
In terms of investments, only $5 million of the initially requested $37.7 million for various projects is reflected in the current budget, leaving out essential funding for Literacy Mid-South’s tutoring initiatives. The primary funding source for MSCS’s budget comes from contributions made by the Tennessee state government, which account for over $888 million, or 45% of the total budget. Additionally, Shelby County’s contribution amounts to more than $650 million, while the city of Memphis will only provide $1.3 million.
Further details regarding the budget’s expenditures include provisions for charter school development and the hiring of specialized education assistants who will now support third-grade students. Over $18 million has been set aside for music and art programs, which encompasses approximately $7 million dedicated to purchasing new instruments for students.
The capital improvement aspect of the budget also addresses necessary infrastructure renovations, allocating funds for replacing intercom and fire-detection systems across several schools. Of particular note, the budget reserves $73 million for the development of new high schools, reinforcing the county’s commitment to education and safety in schools.
As the commission prepares for its meeting, stakeholders and community members are encouraged to stay informed on these critical budget discussions and their potential impacts on local services and education systems. With ongoing considerations regarding the property tax rate and expansive proposals aimed at enhancing educational infrastructure and employee wages, the commission’s decisions will be pivotal for Shelby County’s fiscal outlook for the upcoming year.
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Additional Resources
- Daily Memphian
- Commercial Appeal
- FOX13 Memphis
- Local Memphis
- MSN News
- Wikipedia: Health care in the United States
- Google Search: Shelby County budget meeting
- Google Scholar: Education budget proposals
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Budget
- Google News: Memphis County Commission
