Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen Meeting – February 9, 2026

The Germantown Board of Mayor and Aldermen held its regular meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included a public hearing on zoning code amendments, updates to the city’s debt management policy, and recognition of the January Teacher of the Month. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously, comprising 20 routine items: appointments to the Retirement Plan Administration Commission, Senior Advisory Commission, Shelby County Board of Equalization, Transportation Commission, and Germantown Athletic Club Advisory Commission; authorizations for landscaping/mowing/irrigation services, contracts for the Comprehensive Plan, Municipal Park Tennis Court Sidewalk, and Stormwater Pipe Rehabilitation; donations from the Germantown Education Foundation (2nd Quarter) and for Parks and Recreation; purchases for ammunition, annual phone system maintenance, Axon body cameras, chiller compressor replacement, CLEAR law enforcement license renewal, Clear-Com wireless intercom system (Phase 3), Michael’s tree and loader, and Riverdale Park wayfinding; and a professional services agreement for sanitary sewer flow meter design (Phase 1).
• Alderman Hicks noted that item 8K (Parks and Recreation donation) included contributions from three organizations in memory of David Calvin, a longtime community volunteer.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Patrick Green (2900 Oakley Lane) expressed concern about the planned referendum for a full-time mayor. He stated that the city lacks a defined job description for the position, yet a $140,000 salary has been proposed. He argued this is “fundamentally backwards” and questioned whether the city administrator’s role (salary ~$230,000) would be restructured, warning of potential cost redundancy.
• Teresa Holliman (2691 Scarlet Road) spoke against Resolution 25R09’s increase in the debt management policy, noting an “in 25% increase” (likely referring to the increase in debt capacity). She found it odd that the city is raising debt limits while also seeking a 25–45% property tax increase from residents, comparing it to Shelby County’s fiscal challenges.
• During the public hearing on Ordinance 2026-5, Ms. Holliman commended staff for their work but raised concerns about fence height atop retaining walls (page 13 of the draft) and the increased discretion given to the director in the code. She requested clearer qualifiers in residential sections about neighborhood ordinances that may supersede city code.

Special Recognition

• Teacher of the Month – January 2026: Leanne Bailey, a 5th grade English Language Arts teacher at Riverdale School, was recognized by the Germantown Education Commission for her student engagement, leadership, and community involvement. She serves as a PLC leader, student council coordinator, and Biz Town Coordinator, and holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction plus an educational specialist degree in reading.

Discussion Items

• Ordinance 2026-5 – Zoning Code Amendments (Second Reading & Public Hearing): Director Cameron Ross presented the amendments to Chapters 2, 6, 17, and 23, aimed at clarity, consistency, and efficiency. Key changes include: simplified use tables and bulk tables in Chapter 23; adding modern uses (e.g., electric vehicle charging stations); allowing conditional use permits (replacing “use on appeal” for institutional users like Madonna Learning Center); clarifying fence height measurement on retaining walls; and limiting accessory structure sizes to prevent them from exceeding the principal structure. The amendments align with Germantown Forward 2030 goals. The public hearing was held, and Ms. Holliman’s comments were noted. Alderman Salvaggio (liaison to the Planning Commission) confirmed that the BZA process remains available for extraordinary circumstances. The ordinance passed unanimously on second reading.
• Ordinance 2026-6 – Occupational Safety and Health Program (First Reading): Director Chris Purdue explained the amendments to Division 2, updating the city’s safety program to comply with TOSHA standards. The city administrator may designate a safety director, and future plan revisions may be adopted by resolution. A public hearing was set for March 9, 2026. The ordinance was approved on first reading unanimously.
• Resolution 25R09 – Debt Management Policy Update: Director Carolyn Royals presented the first major revision since 2015. Changes include: replacing net debt to governmental fund expenditures with debt service to general fund expenditures (not to exceed 12%); adding net debt service to general fund expenditures (not to exceed 15% including self-supporting debt); increasing net direct debt per capita from $2,000 to $2,500 (remains within AAA rating criteria); and removing debt per capita income as a metric. The estimated debt capacity for general fund-supported debt would rise from $82.6 million to approximately $100 million. The policy was developed with PFM, a subcommittee of the Financial Advisory Commission (including GMSD representation), and the full FAC unanimously recommended approval. Alderman Ulicky noted that the city’s current outstanding debt is about $50 million. Aldermen assured residents that the increase does not authorize new spending; any debt issuance requires a public hearing and board vote. The resolution passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 2026-5 (zoning code amendments) adopted on second reading (5-0 vote).
• Ordinance 2026-6 (occupational safety program) approved on first reading (5-0); public hearing set for March 9, 2026.
• Resolution 25R09 (debt management policy) adopted (5-0).
• The meeting adjourned following closing remarks from Vice Mayor Gibson, who thanked residents and first responders for their efforts during the recent severe ice storm that brought 4–6 inches of ice to the area.