Smiley says ‘slow down’ to Memphis tax increase; council hears from public
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Members of Memphis City Council are starting to share their opinions on the mayor’s proposed budget as the council starts their tour across the districts to hear directly from the people.
Memphis City Council Chairman JB Smiley led the charge in Thursday night’s discussion during a community meeting in Cordova. The topic was Mayor Paul Young’s proposed budget.
“It’s not our goal, although the mayor proposed 75 cents, the council is doing everything we can to say slow down, slow down, slow down let’s figure out if there is any other way to generate revenue in the city,” Smiley said.
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His thoughts were echoed by some Memphis City Council members.
“I hope that my priorities going into this budget season are the people’s priorities,” District 2 Councilwoman Jerri Green said.
During the course of the meeting, questions were posed to the public, such as their thoughts on the mayor’s 75-cent tax increase.
In addition to questions, Smiley announced there is a 23 percent increase for solid waste fees which would be an additional 12 cents on a tax roll or $6.80 on an MLGW bill.
“At present, we are tracking to not pick up that additional $ 12 million, so we have to adjust and budget for it,” General Services Director Antonio Adams said.
Twelve million dollars in the hole is the number Adams said Young’s administration inherited when he took office as he defended the proposed $887 million budget.
“I know it’s a hard sell. We are in that budget hearing phase. We are open to working with our colleagues in city council to come up with other alternatives,” Adams said.
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Those alternatives are still being finalized as the council hopes to gauge the people’s needs. The meeting did include talks of public safety and a call for more investment in education from the Memphis-Shelby County Schools superintendent.
Roosevelt Allen says he’s still fuzzy on how he feels about the tax increase but says he encourages people to attend meetings like this before making a decision.
“The citizens need to know whether or not if this is something they are going to support and we need to give the council and let the mayor know whether or not this is something we are willing to stand behind,” Allen said.
Memphis Police is set to present its budget and needs in about two weeks.
The community listening tour from the council is set to continue. The next date is May 16 at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in South Memphis.
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