Shelby County commissioners unanimously adopted a new rule governing the behavior of members and the public during the Monday, March 30, meeting.
The resolution allows a commissioner to call for the censure of another member for conduct deemed “disruptive.” The rule also allows commissioners to exclude members of the public from meetings for similar conduct.
A censure can be issued if a member fails to “come to order” after a motion has been ruled on by the chair. If approved, it can take the form of a public rebuke or removal from the chamber during deliberations. The offender may briefly return to cast votes.
Additional provisions include the loss of committee assignments, along with “any other lawful measures deemed to be appropriate by the commissioners.”
The chair is also empowered to speak first on a point of order and “decide questions of order subject to appeal by any commissioner.”
There was no discussion on the consent agenda item.
Commissioner Mickell Lowery originally introduced the resolution last year after former Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. referred to Chairwoman Shante Avant as Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ “political concubine” over a delay on a point of order during a previous meeting. However, Lowery’s proposal was pulled from the agenda following an objection by Ford.
During his outburst, Ford also derided Avant’s election to the body. He later filed a complaint with the county’s human resources department over the pause.
Avant did not have Ford removed from the chamber during the incident. At the time, members were considering a resolution to extend benefits to Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies. It passed unanimously.
Animosity between Ford and Harris had been building for months during the mayor’s attempt to revive a defunct county ethics board. The proposed reboot followed Ford’s arrest on charges of tax evasion and kickbacks early last year. Ford criticized the effort as an attempt to remove him from office. Harris later abandoned the effort.
Ford resigned from his District 9 seat on Feb. 2 as a condition of pleading guilty to five counts of federal tax evasion. He is also barred from running for office again. The kickback charges were dropped as part of the plea deal. A sentencing date is scheduled for June 26. Ford faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.
Monday also marked the first meeting of interim Commissioner Matthew Szalaj, who emerged from a field of 10 applicants to replace Ford on March 9. His term expires in August. Szalaj is currently employed as a special assistant for policy to Memphis Mayor Paul Young.
