Commissioner Mick Wright
Shelby County Government has completed its annual duty to approve a budget and set the property tax rate prior to the July 1 beginning of the fiscal year.
In previous updates, I have written about the major issues at stake and the potential options available to us. Here’s what happened.
Sometimes a word of encouragement keeps you going.
A community leader recently wrote me a note saying, “I have really appreciated and respected the way you have led with strong, practical approaches on so many critical issues, including the three ‘c’s: COVID, crime, and the clerk’s office.”
We have certainly had our fill of all three. But it has been my goal to face the issues that are of the greatest concern to you, using the most effective approach I can manage. Thank you for giving me that opportunity.
This week Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris presented his FY24 budget proposal, which features infrastructure spending plans for Regional One and school buildings.
This week Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris presented his FY24 budget proposal, which features infrastructure spending plans for Regional One and school buildings.
But the story did not begin this week. Some context is needed.
On Wednesday, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris will present his budget proposal, expected to include a funding plan to renovate the Regional One trauma center.
With an unanimous vote last month, the board asked Mayor Harris to do so, while also approving an amendment I proposed, which itemized five conditions for moving forward:
1. Before another dime goes to Regional One, the county must secure match funding from the state or other sources.
2. If there are increased fees, the budget must also include property tax relief as well as spending cuts.
3. The proposal must include a Public Safety Fund (to pay for the action steps itemized in the Crime Commission’s safe community action plan, as previously discussed here).
4. The administration must perform an exhaustive search for alternatives to a wheel tax increase.
5. The mayor must take the plan on the road and share it with citizens, so the public knows what is being proposed.
Here’s what the text of the amendment looked like:
More to come.