With one foot out the door, a who’s-who of outgoing Shelby County elected officials were honored by the Shelby County Commission during their final meeting on Monday, Aug. 24.
The honor roll includes the Shelby County mayor, sheriff, property tax assessor, county clerk, trustee and the majority of the commission. Moreover, several represent “firsts” in Shelby County government. Most entered office following the 2018 election.
Along with the county officials, seven members of the commission are leaving via term limits — including Shelby County Mayor-elect Mickell Lowery. Another member, Britney Thornton, is leaving after a failed bid for the county clerk’s office.
Their successors will be sworn into office on Monday. Aug 31 at the Cannon Convention Center in Downtown Memphis. Only five incumbents will return.
One of the quintet, Chairwoman Shante Avant, kicked off the presentation by honoring Mayor Lee Harris. First elected in 2018, the two-term executive prioritized poverty reduction, reforming the public safety and justice systems, along with investments in healthcare and infrastructure projects. The latter two include the Regional One Hospital and a new high school in Frayser.
During Harris’ tenure, county workers received annual pay increases. This includes raising the minimum wage to $16 per hour, with a goal of a $40,000 annual starting salary. The federal minimum wage is $7.25. Avant thanked Harris for the “holistic” ways he sought to support workers and their families.
“I wanted to be sure to recognize him for his many years of service, culminating in mayor of Shelby County is no small feat. As a lifelong Memphian who has dedicated so many years to the betterment of both Memphis and Shelby County …” said Avant.
Harris also aggressively pursued property tax cuts during his time in office. Starting in 2018, the rate fell from $3.39 to a low of $2.69 in FY2026. The current rate is $2.70. He was not present to accept the honor.
One of the first resolutions likely under consideration by the new commission will be to reverse his decision to cap funding on pre-k for all.
Harris set the mark at 2026 levels — just short of the 100% goal — after the City of Memphis capped their share of the funding. Moreover, the joint resolution would be nullified unless the county opted to make up the difference not covered by the city.
Lowery vowed to address pre-k funding during his victory speech on Aug. 7.
Another recipient of recognition was Shelby Sheriff Floyd Bonner. After working his way up through the ranks of the sheriff’s office, he was elected to the top post in 2018. Bonner is the first African American elected Shelby County Sheriff. Deputy chief Anthony Buckner was elected Aug. 6 to succeed him.
“Sheriff Floyd Bonner made history when he was sworn in as the 47th sheriff of Shelby County,” said Avant. “Breaking a historic barrier and opening a new chapter in the history of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.”
Bonner began his career over 40 years ago as a deputy with the Shelby County Jail Division. Over the decades, he served in numerous other divisions including uniform patrol, narcotics, domestic violence and sex crimes and internal affairs.
“Throughout his career, Sheriff Bonner served in numerous divisions and was put in progressively responsible positions,” said Avant. “Floyd Bonner Jr., rose through every supervisory rank within the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, serving as sergeant, lieutenant, captain, inspector, assistant deputy and ultimately chief deputy.”
Bonner said it was an “honor” to serve the county. He also wished Lowery “good luck.”
“There’s a lot of challenges coming your way,” said Bonner.
Avant also honored outgoing tax assessor Melvin Burgess. It will be the “second retirement” for the former Shelby County commissioner. The former Memphis-Shelby County educator entered politics in 2010, after retiring from the school system. Burgess was elected property tax assessor, after his time on the commission expired in 2018.
In 2021, Burgess was the first African American to receive Assessor of the Year by the Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers. He is the first African American to receive the award.
“I remember my 30 years going in the school system, “my mentor always said to me, ‘Burgess, you get out of here because you don’t want to die on this job and miss your retirement. Because all you’re going to do is die on a job and leave your retirement to your wife and her boyfriend.’ So I got out of there,” joked Burgess.
He will be replaced by Javier Bailey.
Trustee Regina Newman was the next to be honored. After being appointed to the post by the commission in 2009, she became the first woman elected to the position in 2018. During her eight years in office, Newman has reduced property tax delinquencies by $23 million.
“Under Trustee Newman’s leadership, the county has undergone annual audits with no findings, ensuring every dollar entrusted to the office is properly accounted for and responsibly managed,” said Avant.
Newman’s successor is Joseph Lee.
Outgoing county clerk Wanda Halbert was also honored. During her two terms, the former FedEx employee was a recurring lightning rod for controversies. Starting in 2018, the clerk’s office experienced operation delays and financial irregularities along with several attempts to remove Halbert from office. All failed.
“Thank you to Ms. Halbert for her years of service,” said Avant succinctly.
Halbert was not on hand to accept the distinction. Former Shelby County Administrator LaSonya Hall was elected to the post.
Eight members of the commission were also recognized. In addition to Lowery and Thornton, they include David Bradford, Amber Mills, Mick Wright, Brandon Morrison, Matthew Szalaj, and Michael Whaley.
Avant is one of five incumbents that will return for a second term. She will also be one of a 9-4 majority of the Democrats who will wield on the commission. They will likely work closely with their former colleague turned mayor.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for what this body does. And I’ll continue to have that same respect in the next role I’m taking on as well. Even when we disagree, you’ll have my commitment,” said Lowery.
