Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris dropped a finessed budget proposition on Wednesday that flaunted a key omission: no increase in property taxes for county residents. Calculated at a steady $1.6 billion, the proposal detailed in a WREG report, steers clear of nudging the current $3.39 per $100 of assessed value rate. Furthermore, Harris has efficiently managed to swing a 6% raise for all county employees within this tight-wired budget.
Despite this financial rigidity, the proposition reveals that the raises will ensure that law enforcement officials in Shelby County will be amongst the region's best-compensated. "This has been particularly difficult to navigate when we transition away from using the federal stimulus resources," Mayor Harris said indicating the fiscal restraints. A commitment was also made by Harris to heavily invest in education, with $28.4 million set aside for teacher raises and significant funding maintained for school operations.
Healthcare also scores big with $24 million funneled to Regional One for uncompensated care and plans to introduce a new mental health facility. Harris's holistic strategy includes reinforcing public safety through budget increases for the juvenile court, public defenders, and district attorneys, as reported by WREG. Additionally, public transit is getting a boost with over $1 million allocated to improve the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA).
In direct contrast, Harris's blueprint features intentional cuts manifested through the elimination of vacant government positions, effectively deciding not to add any new employees. “This is our toughest budget year,” Mayor Harris told WREG, citing obstacles such as high inflation and the vanishing stimulus funds. Despite this, Harris claimed the county was able to reposition resources toward critical public services without swelling the bureaucracy.
The architect of Shelby County's fiscal blueprint will have to wait to see his design come to life as the county commission commences budget hearings later this month, with a vote expected in June, according to the Daily Memphian. Meanwhile, Memphis Mayor Paul Young has presented his budget proposal aiming for a property tax hike, cementing a stark contrast between the municipal and county fiscal strategies.
