Memphis City Council Regular Meeting – June 10, 2025

The Memphis City Council held its regular meeting on June 10, 2025, beginning over an hour late. The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for Councilman J.B. Smiley Jr.'s father and nephew who died in a tragic incident. The council approved a consent agenda with several routine items, adopted the fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget after debate, and voted on multiple amendments regarding employee compensation and MATA funding. Public comment featured strong opposition to reductions in transit funding and concerns over impacts from the xAI data center, as well as calls for honoring union impasse agreements and improving youth programs.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from the May 20, 2025 meeting (unanimous).
• Item 1 (PD 25-05): Nine‑unit single‑family development at 751 South Willette Street – approved.
• Item 2 (SAC 25-01): Street closure for MLGW North Service Center – approved.
• Item 3 (SUP 25-09): Special use permit at 422 James Road – approved.
• Item 5: Rezoning 15 acres at 5433 Malone Road from Conservation Agriculture to Employment use – approved after a brief presentation from the applicant.
• MLGW Fiscal Consent (items 12‑23): Approved as a block, including change orders, new contracts, and purchase orders (e.g., $2,578,887 for property and boiler insurance with FM Global).
• Consent Agenda (items 6,7,8,9,38): Included second readings of ordinances on youth programs, blight remediation, and other matters. Councilwoman White recused on item 8; Dr. Easter Thomas noted a potential interest (child in program). Item 38 (blight ordinance) was introduced for first reading. Approved.
• Fiscal Consent item 11: Accepted a donated vehicle and trailer ($179,647) from the Department of Energy for police operations.
• Appointments: Scott Beerup and Tanya Fry to the Memphis Alcohol Commission; Eric Ingram to the Land Use Control Board; Kim Cherry, Austin Harrison, and Brandon Ingram to the Land Bank Authority – all approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 39 and MATA Funding: Several speakers urged full funding of MATA at $45 million or more, arguing that the proposed $30 million (with $15 million in reserve) would leave routes unfilled, hurt hourly workers, and increase poverty and pollution. Speakers included Dorothy Connor, Leo Arnold, Christine Todd, Paul Klein, O’Rion Overstreet (Tigers Against Pollution), Glenabah (indigenous representative), Connor Duckworth, and Carter Jurgen. During this period an outburst led to a brief recess. Council later allowed the speakers to address the body.
• General Public Comment: Tony Jackson and Winnie Hardaway criticized Councilman Ford for missing a June 7 community meeting and for repeated delays in reopening the Westwood pool. Dr. Kimberly Pearson and Azana Bruce spoke against the xAI data center, citing pollution and health risks. William Edwards called for more city investment in youth programs, noting a 30% unemployment rate among Black youth. Glenda Hicks urged council to ensure checks and balances in budget execution.

Discussion Items

• Special Item 1 (Group Life & Long‑Term Disability): Amendment to correct tax rates, resulting in $95,000 net savings to the general fund. Passed (unanimous).
• Special Item 2 (Animal Services): Unfunded three vacant positions (savings $162,106). Passed (unanimous).
• Special Item 3 (MATA Funding): Amendment to move $15,335,000 from MATA’s operating line to a restricted reserve, released only after MATA provides a full financial audit, budget, and operational plan. Passed 10‑1 (Councilwoman Easter Thomas voted no).
• Special Item 4 (Employee Minimum Wage): Motion to raise all city employees making less than $40,000/year to that level, effective January 2026, at a half‑year cost of $1.2 million. Failed (2‑9; yes: Green, Spinoza).
• Item 39 (FY26 Operating & CIP Budget): After extensive debate and multiple amendments, the substitute resolution for the fiscal year 2026 operating and capital improvement budget was adopted. Key provisions: a 3% salary increase for all employees (effective second half of the year), no tax increase, a task force to study wages and fund balance, and establishment of a restricted reserve for public transit. Vote: 9‑2 (no: Green, Spinoza).
• Item 25 (Tax Levy Ordinance): Third reading of the annual appropriation ordinance. Firefighters union representative Thomas Malone urged council to honor the impasse agreement from the previous year that provided 5% raises. Councilman Ford delivered a passionate response criticizing union leadership. The ordinance passed (unanimous).
• Item 27 (Tax Bills for State‑Assessed Properties): Approved (unanimous).

Key Outcomes

• Approved fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget with a 3% employee salary increase, no tax increase, and a task force to examine wage equity and fund balance.
• MATA receives $30 million total: $15 million in operating funds and $15 million in a restricted reserve, with release conditioned on an audit and operational plan.
• Motion to immediately raise minimum city salary to $40,000 failed; council committed to revisit the issue in the fall after tax revenue collections.
• Councilman Ford pledged to follow up with the Parks Division on the Westwood pool repair timeline.
• All same‑night minute items (9,10,11,25,27,32‑37,39) were approved.