Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen Meeting - June 9, 2025

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen met on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 1930 S. Germantown Road. The meeting included special recognition, approval of a consent agenda, public hearings, and extensive deliberation on the FY26 budget and property tax rate. The meeting recessed around 8:00 PM and continued until approximately 9:30 PM. Key outcomes included approval of the FY26 budget (as amended) and a certified property tax rate of $1.79 per $100 assessed value.

Consent Calendar

• Contract Change Order No. 1 – Asphalt Milling and Paving Program ($121,000) approved.
• Contract – Renovation to Sand Filters at Southern Avenue Water Treatment Plant ($481,000) approved.
• Development Contract No. 1255 – Olde Field Green Subdivision Privatization approved.
• Development Contract No. 1258 – InSouth Bank (7878 Farmington Blvd) approved.
• Development Contract No. 1259 – Little Georgie’s Day Care (8235 Dogwood Rd) approved.
• Donations – Parks and Recreation (two gifts to the farm park) accepted.
• PEG Disbursement to GMSD – 3rd Quarter approved.
• PSA – Redbud Trail Drive Area Drainage Improvements ($235,000) approved.
• Purchase – HVAC Repairs at Fire Station No. 4 ($79,000) approved.
• Reimbursement – Overtime Police FY25 ($47,000) approved. All consent items were approved unanimously by roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bo Adams (9345 Dogwood, Germantown) thanked the city for services and encouraged citizens to serve on boards and commissions.
• Brad Les (6599 Ricks Road, Arlington, TN) introduced himself as a candidate for Shelby County Sheriff and asked for support.
• Arleese Green (101 Marietta St, Atlanta, GA) presented the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program for businesses affected by revenue reduction.
• Frankie Stents (2611 Winding Way Cove) opposed the property tax increase, citing a large reappraisal and fixed retirement income.
• Rocky Yonda (1761 Trune Cove) thanked staff for a sound budget and emphasized balancing city services and school funding.
• Jones Warren (2489 Netherhall Drive) urged improved pavement markings for safety, noting inadequate visibility at night and in rain.
• Jackie Ross Flum (3279 Kinderhill Lane) expressed concern over federal funding uncertainty and problems at the Germantown Athletic Center pool (mold, temperature).
• John Chrisman (2611 Winding Way Cove) echoed pool maintenance issues, especially mold affecting swimmers.
• Kenny Fields (2905 Richill Cove) requested increased police presence in Foster Ridge/Cross Village areas due to speeding and crime encroachment.
• Nikki Mosseller (7875 Cross Village Drive) echoed safety concerns, urging more traffic enforcement and questioning the number of police officers per capita.
• Betty Bolton (8436 Old Elm Cove) asked about revenue from new developments and regulations on rental properties.
• David Phlom (3279 Kinderhill Lane) asked for more detail on past overspending and requested more granular expenditure information.
• Kevin Young (3284 Duke Circle) urged not to reduce parks CIP funding, citing the need to advance the sports complex and other master plan items.
• Ethan Stickles (8815 Poplar Pike, rising senior at Houston HS) spoke about inadequate facilities (flooding, plumbing, locker rooms) and asked for investment in Houston High School.
• Terrence Ride Jr. (1691 Nishrova Oak Lane West, SGA president) urged prioritizing the Houston High Master Plan, noting the need for fine arts spaces.
• Julianne Zimateo (9255 Forest Estates Cove) supported the students, warning that families may leave Germantown if schools are not improved.
• Lila Jones (7691 McHenry Circle North, rising senior) highlighted cosmetic issues (broken desks, bathroom locks, lack of windows) and parking shortages at Houston HS.
• Robert Sloan (1774 Plantation Road) supported parks funding and noted that small cuts cannot solve the large Houston High funding gap.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 2025-1 – Year-End Budget Adjustments (Second Reading): Presenter Dakisha Fonden listed additions for police IT/body cameras, recreation classes, and LED lighting at the Great Hall (100% reimbursed by DOE). Public hearing held; no further speakers. Approved unanimously (5-0) and moved to third reading.
• Ordinance 2025-2 – GMSD Year-End Budget Adjustments (Second Reading): Presenter Sherry Rowell noted adjustments approved by the GMSD board, including summer learning camps. Public hearing held; no speakers. Approved unanimously and moved to third reading.
• Ordinance 2025-3 – FY26 Budget (Second Reading): City Administrator Heisman and Finance Director Adrian Royals presented the $211.3 million total budget ($78.7 million general fund). Key points: property tax rollback rate of $1.4987, proposed increase of 29.13 cents to $1.79; 55% revenue from property tax, 27% from sales tax; 42% of expenses go to public safety; inflation and market volatility noted. Public hearing had 14 speakers.
  • Vice Mayor Gibson’s Amendment: Increased GMSD Houston High School capital allocation from $8M to $10M in FY27, with debt service costs detailed. Approved 5-0.
  • Alderman Salvaggio’s Amendments (2A-2H): Proposed cuts to LED street lights, street aid fund transfer, sports complex, and signals; reallocations to schools, dispatchers, firefighters, and police feasibility study. Most failed; only administrative alignment amendment (2I) passed (unanimous).
  • Main motion to approve the budget as amended passed 5-0, moving to third reading.
• Ordinance 2025-4 – Property Tax Rate (Second Reading): Director Royals presented the certified rate of $1.79 per $100 assessed value (rollback + 29.13 cent increase). Public hearing held; no speakers. Approved unanimously and moved to third reading.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 2025-1 (Year-End Budget Adjustments) approved on second reading (5-0) – moves to third reading June 23.
• Ordinance 2025-2 (GMSD Year-End Adjustments) approved on second reading (5-0) – moves to third reading June 23.
• Ordinance 2025-3 (FY26 Budget) approved as amended (5-0) – moves to third reading June 23. Key amendment: GMSD capital increased from $8M to $10M in FY27.
• Ordinance 2025-4 (Property Tax Rate) approved on second reading (5-0) – certified rate $1.79 per $100 assessed value – moves to third reading June 23.
• All other proposed amendments (LED lights, street aid reduction, sports complex deferral, signalization cut, $1M annual school fund, three dispatchers, police feasibility study, three firefighters) failed.
• The board committed to further collaboration with GMSD on long-term capital needs and to meet with residents of Germantown Park/Cross Village on safety concerns.