Memphis City Council Meeting - December 16, 2025

The Memphis City Council convened on December 16, 2025, for its regular meeting, featuring community recognitions, zoning approvals, and a significant debate regarding the FY2026 operating budget and fire department compensation. The meeting opened with a prayer by Rajhan Zed, Chaplain of the Day, and proceeded with the unanimous approval of meeting minutes and resolutions honoring local youth programs and leadership graduates.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Resolution recognizing the Memphis Parks "Literacy Meets Recreation" (Lit Meets Rec) program and its ten young published authors.
• Item 2: Resolution honoring the graduating class of the South City Leeds (SCORE) Resident Leadership Academy.
• Item 3: Resolution honoring the graduating class of the Memphis Academy of Civil Engagement.
• Item 5: Resolution (PD 25-14) approving a plan development at 7913 Dexter Road (Unanimous Vote: 13-0).
• Item 6: Resolution (SUP 25-24) approving a special use permit at 577 East Rains Road (Unanimous Vote: 13-0).
• Item 7: Resolution (SUP 25-27) approving a special use permit at 1032 Hell Road (Unanimous Vote: 13-0).
• Item 8: Resolution (SUP 25-32) approving a special use permit at 5133 Park Avenue (Unanimous Vote: 13-0).
• Item 35: Appointment of Brett Ragsdale as Planning and Development Director.
• Item 36: Reappointment of Darius Jones and appointments of Nick Kwan and Andy Kizzie to the Solid Waste Municipal Planning Board.
• Item 37: Allocation of $2.6 million in City Council community grant funds to nonprofit agencies for FY26.
• Item 38: Allocation of $3.92 million from the Leftwich Tennis Center funds to the Audubon Court Clubhouse and Jesse Turner Park improvements (Unanimous Vote: 13-0).
• Item 39: Final payment and distribution of the FY2026 tax equivalent payment from MLGW Electric System.
• Item 40: Final payment and distribution of the FY2026 tax equivalent payment from MLGW Gas System.
• MLGW Fiscal Consent Items (12-24): Approval of various contracts and salary hikes for MLGW personnel.
• Item 25: Establishment of Memphis City Council meeting dates for 2026 (Adopted with amendments following debate).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Talesa Franklin: Expressed a position of prayerful support and spiritual unity, urging the council to prioritize collective needs over personal gain and acknowledging the responsibility to the city's direction.
• Nehemiah Hardaway: Expressed concern regarding a gas station expansion application (Item 8), suggesting spiritual connections to issues and requesting a closer look at property ownership, though he did not explicitly state opposition before the vote.
• Amber Sherman: Expressed full opposition to the budget resolution for fire department raises (Item 34), characterizing the move as fiscally irresponsible. She argued the city lacks the funds, the fire chief stated firefighters are not underpaid, and citizens would suffer if resources are diverted. She requested a detailed list of charges for jail inmates.
• Dr. Carnita Atwater: Expressed strong opposition and disrespect regarding the process for Jail/Pretrial reform ordinances (Item 10), requesting a for-profit and accounting investigation into specific city organizations.
• Sammy Hunter & Johnny Mosley: Expressed frustration and opposition regarding the aggressive behavior of security guards at the William Hudson Transit Center. They called for a board for bus riders to address these concerns and a change in security companies.
• Iwana Brown (We Fed Up): Expressed that the council is on notice regarding unconstitutional policing patterns. She stated that failure to act converts knowledge into municipal liability under federal law and warned that accountability is inevitable.
• Joe Kent: Expressed strong criticism of the Chamber of Commerce and EDGE economic development strategies, attributing job losses and revenue deficiencies to excessive tax incentives.
• Ewainer Brown & Others (Library Support): Expressed full support for library workers, citing low wages ($44,000) and the need for civil service status and security.
• Lisa Bennett: Expressed frustration at being denied the opportunity to speak on MLGW emergency protocols (Items 12-24) and the budget (Item 34), arguing there was "dissembling" by the council regarding her request for transparency.
• Brandy Price: Expressed deep opposition and disrespect towards the council for allegedly calling fire department members "raping the city," while also raising concerns about water rights, arsenic levels, and job security due to AI.

Discussion Items

• Item 34 (Fiscal Year 2026 Budget & Fire Department Raises):
  • Councilman Carlisle: Expressed deep concern regarding the city's financial health, stating the city is on an "unsustainable path." He argued that while cash exists, the unassigned fund balance of $91 million is net liabilities. He opposed the $2 million raise, calling it a "fiscal irresponsibility" and noted that if the city cannot manage its finances, it is effectively "broke." He explicitly stated he would not be called a "liar" or "thief" regarding his position on two-year deals, emphasizing that the council must not agree to deals that jeopardize long-term credit ratings.
  • Chief Adams: Stated that the $2 million would come from a $15 million reimbursement for training costs received in FY26 rather than new revenue. He clarified that delaying classes (training) was not a viable option as it would exacerbate staffing shortages, and utilizing the overtime line would create operational risks due to seasonal spikes.
  • Councilwoman Walker: Expressed disappointment and confusion regarding why a lawsuit was filed against the city over the promise of a raise, noting that the council supports the raise but is unclear on funding sources. She emphasized that "faith and fear cannot occupy the same space."
  • Councilman Ford: Urged the council to proceed with the vote, stating there is money available, asserting that credit ratings would not be affected, and criticizing the city across the street (County) for similar inaction. He characterized further debate as "wasting time."
  • Councilman Smiley: Noted that full-time employees indicated they could find the money within the budget and suggested deferring to employee consensus.
  • Councilwoman Green: Recused herself from discussing Item 10 (Jail) but supported the budget item.

Key Outcomes

• Item 34 Passed: The resolution to amend the FY2026 operating budget to provide a raise for fire employees passed with a vote of 8 Yes, 2 No, 2 Abstain (Logan abstained, White abstained). The funding source was identified as a reimbursement for training costs.
• Item 25 Passed: The ordinance establishing meeting dates for 2026 passed unanimously (13-0), despite a suggestion from Councilman Warren to avoid the second week of January.
• Item 10 (Jail Ordinance) Passed: The ordinance regarding correctional facilities passed with Councilwoman White recusing herself and Councilwoman Cooper Sutton abstaining (10 Yes, 1 Abstain, 1 Recusal).
• Adjournment: The meeting concluded with Councilwoman Cooper Sutton (Chairman Emerita) passing the gavel to the Vice Chair (Councilwoman Smiley) for the next meeting.