With a week to spare, Shelby County commissioners passed a $1.7 billion fiscal year 2026 budget and set a property tax rate of $2.69 for the upcoming fiscal year during a protracted meeting Monday, June 23.
It was the last full meeting before the beginning of the new fiscal year. Both ordinances take effect July 1.
Members settled on the state-set property tax rate after numerous bites at the apple. Before opting for Commissioner Mick Wright’s proposed rate, several tax hikes were rejected during roll call votes. All ranged between two and four cents. The new rate was also initially rejected on its first vote.
The tax has been adjusted down from fiscal 2025’s $3.39 rate because of increased property tax assessments. The state sets the county’s certified property tax rate to prevent a windfall. The county is legally required to pass a balanced budget.
Prior to its passage, members approved a pair of amendments to the final budget total that will be covered by revenue from the tax. The first pared down a series of amendments totaling more than $100 million that were brought up during the June 18 committee meetings. It achieved more than $21 million in savings by perusing “actuals,” or hard numbers, from three categories across all county divisions. They include supplies and materials; services and expenses; and professional and contracted services.
“I used those savings to provide a new funding source for a selection of our previously adopted amendments,” Wright said.
If an agency runs out of funding for any of the listed items, the money will be given back through adjusted dollars.
The newly funded items include: another $10 million to the Shelby County Sheriff’s budget; a $3 million property tax relief program for seniors; $2 million dedicated to universal pre-K education; $1 million to Hospitality Hub; along with money to expand free offerings at the zoo and to fund the establishment of a county-run crime lab. The latter item would ultimately be reduced to $1.5 million, but it will be enough to get the facility off the ground in its first year.
Wright’s amendment passed unanimously after members brushed aside concerns from Shelby County Budget Director Michael Thompson that the “funding source” would “significantly impair” the county’s ability to “provide services to our citizens.”
Furthermore, unintended expenses typically arise. And if the past is precedent, “That funding source is not going to be there,” Thompson cautioned. “They need to be covered and paid for.”
The agenda item was followed by a “starting point amendment” offered by Ford that “strikes his cuts” offered during earlier discussions and replaces them with the cuts from Wright’s amendment. An additional $1.6 million was trimmed by cutting the county’s district connector program, which connects people in need with essential services.
It also funds 3% raises for county employees and sets the base salary at $45,500.
“It’s essentially a substitute of the original proposed budget,” said Chairman Michael Whaley.
However, it was another item tucked away in the budget sausage that drew the most attention. Ford’s proposal included funding for police cameras in District 9. Yet, unlike the other items included in both amendments, it was not introduced during previous discussions.
Moreover, it supplanted items that were discussed and bumped aside others that weren’t brought up during the eight hours of sausage making on June 18.
“Obviously, there are items that we did not vet or talk about in committee that have been added to this particular resolution,” Commissioner Shante Avant said. “We haven’t voted on them.”
Ford defended the decision.
“My thing is, if you find the money you should have the full courtesy to be able to add whatever … Trust me, if someone wants to take the cameras out, I will be glad to have that meeting in District 9.”
Avant opted not to challenge the amendment.
During the eight-plus hour meeting, members also overrode a veto of a $177,000 grant to filmmaker Marie Pizano’s MVP3 Foundation with a 9-0 vote. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris announced the veto May 30, in response to Ford’s February indictment for fraud and money laundering.
The embattled commissioner allegedly awarded grants to nonprofits in exchange for patronage at businesses he owns. Ford has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our Commissioners, and I hold Mayor Harris in the highest regard. This matter was unrelated to our organization, and I wish everyone boundless success,” said MVP3 founder Marie Pizano.
Members previously approved the MVP3 grant with a 12-0 vote.
