Presentation of Mayor's FY2027 Proposed Budget – Memphis City Council – April 21, 2026
Presentation of Mayor's FY2027 Proposed Budget – Memphis City Council Special Called Meeting – April 21, 2026
On April 21, 2026, the Memphis City Council held a special called meeting at 3:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The sole agenda item was the presentation of Mayor Paul Young's Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget. The meeting began with an invocation and pledge, followed by the mayor's detailed budget presentation and public comments. No council votes or deliberations occurred; the meeting adjourned after public testimony.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Liana Venezia (Step Ahead Foundation) asked about the status of the Memphis Ambassador Program (MAP) for youth, inquiring whether it remains funded or is being replaced.
- Amber Sherman expressed that the budget lacked funding for youth mental health services, requested $2 million for that purpose, and urged the council to amend the budget.
- Sandra Barrett (self-identified U.S. military veteran) criticized Memphis Police Department actions at the "No Kings 3" protest, describing those actions as fascist and calling for accountability beyond paid suspensions. She referenced Tyree Nichols and stated that police officers displayed “characteristics we have served against.”
- Jason Montoya (Indivisible Memphis, safety marshal at No Kings 3) demanded release of unedited body camera footage and further disciplinary measures, calling the suspension with pay a “slap in the face.”
- Dennis Lynch (SHARE Club, Better Transit for Better Memphis) argued that transit funding has been underfunded for years at $30 million, calling for an increase of $20–$30 million to improve service frequency, operator pay, and infrastructure. He noted Memphis transit budget is half that of comparable cities.
- Jessica Miller stated that budgets are moral documents and criticized increases for the city attorney's office (16%) while the city is under the Kendrick consent decree. She questioned why funding for legal defense is rising while housing, fire services, and compliance systems are cut, and expressed concerns about immigration enforcement transparency.
- LJ Abraham yielded time to Luci Chambliss, who described being kicked and assaulted by police at the No Kings protest, stated she no longer feels safe around uniformed officers, and criticized continued police funding while schools and infrastructure crumble. She referenced federal judge remarks about MPD infiltration.
- LeAndre Key (South Memphis resident) proposed an actionable plan to revitalize the city's economy, recalling past attractions (FedEx World Hub, Mid-South Fair, Pyramid events) and arguing that lifelong Memphians have suffered economic betrayal.
Discussion Items
Mayor Paul Young presented the FY2027 budget, which was developed over several months with University of Memphis revenue estimates and division-level scrutiny. Key points:
- Total proposed operating budget: $897 million, with 72% ($652 million) allocated to personnel.
- Employee compensation: 2% across-the-board increase for all city employees, with union agreements reached for all but one union.
- Public safety, anti-blight, and infrastructure: 88% of personnel spending goes to Fire, Police, Community Enhancement, Public Works, and Engineering.
- Crime reduction: 40% reduction in serious crime over two years (a goal set for four years). The mayor showed charts comparing monthly serious crimes from 2023 (highest) to 2026 (lowest).
- Key FY26 achievements: 600+ tons of debris collected, 86,000 bags of trash, 25,000 tires, 1,700 expungements, 326 driver’s license reinstatements, 95% of emergency calls answered within 20 seconds, 1,800 summer jobs, 800 housing units delivered.
- Strategic investments: $3 million for Housing Trust Fund (up from $2.65 million), $1.5 million for opportunity youth workforce training, 3,000 summer jobs planned, $825,000 increase for Office of Creative and Cultural Economy, $10 million in federal housing funds.
- Revenue changes: Additional $15 million from new XAI facility (total ~$26 million), auto registration fees reset to actual collection levels.
- Capital budget: $106 million for CIP, including $36 million for critical neighborhood infrastructure, $20 million for paving/potholes, design for Glenview pool, new library in Parkway Village, police station at Southwest Twin, upgrades to parks and community centers, and $7 million for early childhood education.
- Fiscal discipline: The budget is balanced with zero contribution from reserves; FY25 ended $1.9 million under, FY26 expected $2 million surplus. No tax increase proposed.
- Cost pressures addressed: $150 million in pressures evaluated, $38.2 million in division requests reviewed; unfilled vacancy funding was removed across departments to balance without eliminating positions.
Key Outcomes
- No votes or formal actions were taken. The mayor's proposed budget was presented and public comments were received. The council will conduct further deliberation in subsequent meetings as part of the budget season. The budget books were delivered to council offices.
- Adjournment was moved by Councilman Canale and seconded by Vice Chair Carlisle.
Meeting Transcript
Are we doing comic parts? Sergeant Arms, please call our April twenty first, twenty twenty six meeting to order. We will be laid in prayer by Reverend Dr. Reginald Boy, Pastor of Riverside Baptist Church. And if you're kind enough, can you hold the hand of the person next to you? Gracious and sovereign God, we come before you today with gratitude for the city of Memphis. We thank you for her history, her culture, its resilience, and the people. Thank you for every neighborhood and every family, every worker, every dreamer, and every leader who calls this city home. Today, as this budget is presented, we pause to recognize that this is more than numbers. This is about people, about opportunity, and about the future we're shaping together. Today, God, we ask for your wisdom over our mayor, Paul Young, over this city council, over every chief, every director, every public servant, every officer, every person serving on Memphis Fire, and every leader entrusted with the responsibility to guide this city forward. Today, God, we ask for clarity in complex decisions, courage when the weight is heavy, and compassion that keeps people at the center of every choice. Lord, we anchor ourselves in your word, just as the Prophet Jeremiah declared to seek the welfare of the city to pray for it. Because as the city prospers, so does or so do its people. So today we pray for the welfare of Memphis. We pray for its peace, for its prosperity, and for unity. Lord, let this budget reflect shared prosperity, not just growth, but growth that touches every zip code. Let it reflect social justice that is active, not passive. Let it open doors for the justice impact that strengthen pathways for opportunity youth and build systems that honor dignity and equity for all. Bless every department, every initiative, and every effort represented here. Strengthen collaboration among leaders, remove division and replace it with alignment, purpose, and a shared commitment to the greater good. And God, we pray for every person who calls Memphis home. Cover them, keep them, provide for them. Let this be a city where people don't just live but thrive. We declare today that Memphis is rising, not in words, but in action, not just in plans, but in progress, not just in promise, but in people, and we are rising because of your resurrection power. And we clear we declare that today. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Maybe seated. Thank you, Reverend Dr. Boyce, for that beautiful prayer. Thank you so much. Madam Comptroller, will you please call item number one? Or call the roll first, please. Thank you. Please call the roll. Thank you. Councilmember Canale. Carlisle. Present. Cooper Sutton. Easter Thomas. Ford. Green. Logan, present. Smiley. Spinoza.
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