Fast Facts:
(Memphis June 10, 2009) The trail of tail lights happens every evening.
They head south, or north, or east, heading out of Memphis to the great suburbia. Memphis is losing population, has been for years. But City Councilman Jim Strickland says it's funny, "As people flee this city to go to Northern Mississippi, Tipton and Fayette Counties, our city budget has been increasing."
This year, Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton said he could give police what they wanted, and fire what they wanted, and the blight squad what they wanted and all of it would simply mean a 57 cent tax increase. But that increase would be on top of the highest property taxes in the state of Tennessee.
City Council members have been trying to cut $57-million dollars from the budget, but so far, have ended up with just small cuts. Strickland says he has a plan that would not only balance the budget, but would give taxpayers an 8 cent tax decrease.
The Strickland plan really hits employees. Blue collar city employees had been promised a 3% pay raise this year. Strickland says, 'sorry, can't afford it.' But he's not just asking for them to take a hit. "Everyone in city government," Strickland says, "...who makes more than $90,000 a year would have to take a 10 percent cut in pay. That would include City Council members," Strickland says, "...even though they make only $30,000 a year." The plan also would force those employees making between $70,000 and $90,000 a year a 5% cut.
Public safety is a big issue in this budget. Memphis has a reputation that would scare Tony Soprano. Strickland says that's the reason his plan calls for very small cuts here and there in the police budget. Other departments would take larger cuts to make up the difference, he says. "I want people involved," he says, "...to voice their opinions because they're telling me, but I'm not sure they're telling the entire council in mass and I think they need to."
Now as Strickland was presenting his budget, City Council member Harold Collins was standing in the back and watching. He has his own plan. He won't ask for pay cuts from division directors and deputy directors, but he will propose not giving the other city employees a 3% raise. "The good news is we're not far apart from one another" Collins said, comparing his budget to Strickland's. "We both know that our city taxpayers cannot afford a pay increase, even though the city employees may deserve it."
The budget will be debated, discussed, and there will possibly be a vote at the next Memphis City Council meeting, Tuesday, June 16th at 3:30pm at Memphis City Hall. It is open to the public.
- Budget Must be approved by July 1
- Memphis Property Tax is Highest in State
- Shelby County will probably raise property taxes
(Memphis June 10, 2009) The trail of tail lights happens every evening.
They head south, or north, or east, heading out of Memphis to the great suburbia. Memphis is losing population, has been for years. But City Councilman Jim Strickland says it's funny, "As people flee this city to go to Northern Mississippi, Tipton and Fayette Counties, our city budget has been increasing."
This year, Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton said he could give police what they wanted, and fire what they wanted, and the blight squad what they wanted and all of it would simply mean a 57 cent tax increase. But that increase would be on top of the highest property taxes in the state of Tennessee.
City Council members have been trying to cut $57-million dollars from the budget, but so far, have ended up with just small cuts. Strickland says he has a plan that would not only balance the budget, but would give taxpayers an 8 cent tax decrease.
The Strickland plan really hits employees. Blue collar city employees had been promised a 3% pay raise this year. Strickland says, 'sorry, can't afford it.' But he's not just asking for them to take a hit. "Everyone in city government," Strickland says, "...who makes more than $90,000 a year would have to take a 10 percent cut in pay. That would include City Council members," Strickland says, "...even though they make only $30,000 a year." The plan also would force those employees making between $70,000 and $90,000 a year a 5% cut.
Public safety is a big issue in this budget. Memphis has a reputation that would scare Tony Soprano. Strickland says that's the reason his plan calls for very small cuts here and there in the police budget. Other departments would take larger cuts to make up the difference, he says. "I want people involved," he says, "...to voice their opinions because they're telling me, but I'm not sure they're telling the entire council in mass and I think they need to."
Now as Strickland was presenting his budget, City Council member Harold Collins was standing in the back and watching. He has his own plan. He won't ask for pay cuts from division directors and deputy directors, but he will propose not giving the other city employees a 3% raise. "The good news is we're not far apart from one another" Collins said, comparing his budget to Strickland's. "We both know that our city taxpayers cannot afford a pay increase, even though the city employees may deserve it."
The budget will be debated, discussed, and there will possibly be a vote at the next Memphis City Council meeting, Tuesday, June 16th at 3:30pm at Memphis City Hall. It is open to the public.
