Fresh off budget season, Shelby County Commissioners elected new leadership during the Monday, July 22 meeting.

Whaley nabbed the top spot after pulling out a one vote margin during the third round of voting. The second-term Democrat won 6-2, after Brandon Morrison and Mick Wright – both Republicans – switched their votes. Edmund Ford, Jr. also added his name to the total, after not voting during the first two rounds. He was one of several members that were reticent to cast a vote – or proffer a nomination.

During post-vote remarks, chair-elect Mark Whaley agreed with fellow-nominee David Bradford’s pledge to improve the efficiency of meetings, along with the commission itself.

“I think it’s a challenge, certainly when we have incredibly long meetings — not just for ourselves,” Whaley said. “I think it’s also a challenge to our staff and to the public, whom we ask to be here with us for items that they’re waiting on.

“I think there are certainly ways where we can temper the importance of the work we do and the commitment to the county. But also doing it in a way that’s respectful and efficient,” said Whaley.

Whaley, who represents East Memphis and Cordova, was nominated by Charlie Caswell. Bradford was pitched by Amber Mills. They were the only members nominated.

Both nominees are White. There were no Black members proposed by a peer, despite holding a seven-member majority. There are four Republicans on the 13-member body.

Voting for Whaley were commissioners Charlie Caswell, Mick Wright, Brandon Morrison, Miska Clay-Bibbs, Edmund Ford Jr. and Whaley. Voting for Bradford were Amber Mills and Bradford. Meanwhile, Mickell Lowery, Henri Brooks, Britney Thornton and Erika Sugarmon did not vote. Commissioner Shante Avant was not present.

During pre-vote comments, the political makeup of the commission was of more importance. While the commission is dominated by Democrats, the state legislature is dominated by the other side of the aisle.

“We are split that way, unfortunately. Of course, at the state level there is a very big R contingency, as we saw previously this term. They don’t like us very much and I think having an R to help support Whaley when we’re going to the state would be very helpful to this body,” said Bradford.

Bradford fell short again, after he was nominated for the vice chair position during a third round of voting. Once again, he was nominated by Mills.

Instead, Vice Chair-elect Shante Avant was voted second in command, after receiving Whaley’s nomination. According to Whaley, she approved the nod.

“I think she would certainly serve as a great vice chair…has a lot of experience from before, with her work on the school board. I think we’ve worked well together because she’s been able to take on a lot of the constituents that I work with. So I’ve been able to see some of the work she’s done out in the community in some of the areas I used to represent,” said Whaley.

Avant also topped Britney Thornton, who nominated herself for the post as a representative of a “new generation of leaders.”

“I am a firm believer in you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” quipped Thorton. “I am excited to grow as a young leader.”

Thornton was eliminated after the second round, after coming up third in the vote. Commission rules limit the third vote to the top two vote-getters.

Voting in favor of Avant were Brooks, Lowery, Thornton, Sugarmon, Caswell, Clay-Bibbs and Whaley. Voting for Bradford were Mills, Wright, Morrison and Mills. Ford and Thornton passed.

Earlier in the meeting, commissioners opted to send a proposal to reallocate a six-percent pay raise for county employees back to committee. It was originally approved on July 17, as a part of Shelby County’s FY2025 budget.

Under Sugarmon’s equity-based proposal, the county’s 163 top-paid employees – including division directors and managers – would receive a smaller percentage than rank-and-file county workers.

“We’re always taking care of those who have and very seldom those who have not. This is a chance to make things right,” said Sugarmon. “Instead of giving a flat rate, which is regressive, give a dollar amount increase for people who are making below a living wage to give them a more livable wage because it’s still not a living wage.”

An administration compensation study requested by the commissioners is underway.

A recently vetoed ordinance to create a Shelby County Real Estate Department to offload tax delinquent properties may have never passed the Shelby County Commission as first assumed.

Members were informed of the confusion during the Wednesday, July 17 committee meetings.

Commissioners voted 8-4 to create the institution on June 17, after they were informed the ordinance would only require a simple majority to pass. However, because the ordinance would change the county’s purchasing polices, it requires a nine-vote super majority.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris vetoed the ordinance on June 20, to avoid added expenditures to the nearly revenue-neutral FY2025 budget. The ordinance would have added $389,575 to the total, to cover the cost of four full-time positions in the proposed department.

“The document is not structured as an ordinance, the phrasing is unclear and ultimately, the sponsor’s intent is more appropriately accomplished in a resolution format,” read Harris’ veto letter.

Currently, the exact status of the ordinance is still being scrutinized by county attorneys. On the one hand, it could remain a vetoed ordinance – or an ordinance that failed to meet the vote requirement.

Another option could be in play during the upcoming Monday, July 22 meeting.

Commissioners are scheduled to vote on the minutes from Wednesday’s committee meetings. A motion to reconsider the ordinance could be introduced before the minutes are voted on. To succeed, the vote would require a change of heart from at least one member who previously voted “no” to gain nine votes.

The county charter provides 30 days for commissioners to override a veto. Since Mayor Harris vetoed the ordinance on June 20, the upcoming meeting is the deadline to request a motion to override his veto.

County attorney Megan Smith is expected to inform members of the status of the ordinance before a decision is made.

If the veto stands – or if a motion to override fails – the ordinance can be reintroduced in 90 days.

Commissioners Britney Thornton and Erika Sugarmon are the sponsors.

A special committee meeting to override the veto was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at 1 p.m., but it was scuttled after only five members appeared. A quorum – the number of members needed to do business – requires seven members.

Along with improved marketing to encourage sales, the proposed department would require bidders to submit plans for purchased properties – and could revoke the sales if the property is left undeveloped. Another idea under consideration is a threshold for winning bids, instead of properties going to the highest bidder.

A fee would also be added for nonprofits to partake in the bidding process. Residential properties would require $500 up front, while $1,000 would be needed to submit an offer on commercial properties.

Thornton began working on the ordinance shortly after she took office in September 2022, with an ad hoc committee making recommendations. The commissioner owns numerous pieces of the property she has bought through land bank sales.

The ordinance was introduced in 2023, following the recommendations of the Delinquent Tax Property Ad Hoc Committee. The proposal has been a familiar topic of discussion while bouncing between committee and full commission meetings.