MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On Tuesday, the City Council delved over the budget for hours but were unable to pass it before the meeting was officially adjourned.
They said they couldn’t vote on the budget until Mayor A C Wharton’s administration gives them answers they’ve been asking for weeks.
Council members said they were asking simple questions, but were shocked when the administration didn’t have answers.
City attorneys scrambled to get facts and figures straight.
At one point, they even had to take a break to give them time to get everything together.
Council members were trying to find funding for raises for city workers including firefighters and police.
One suggestion made was to take the money from vacant yet funded positions in the Memphis Police Department that realistically the department said wouldn’t be filled next year.
However, they couldn’t figure out if their ideas would work, because the administration didn’t have the numbers.
“I was surprised at some of the questions that were asked were very basic. What were the numbers last year? What were the numbers this year? I was surprised they didn’t have those answers and were ready and had to take breaks to find out the answers to some of those questions,” said Council member Alan Crone.
“It is an election year. There were definitely some theatrics that we dealt with tonight. What any serious question they have we are going to enthusiastically find and answers to that,” said Chief Administrative Officer Jack Sammons.
Some City Council members that WREG spoke to said they have been emailing the administration with questions they asked tonight for weeks, but never got a clear response.
CAO Sammons said he answers every email sent to him and will continue to do so.
The council will pick up the budget discussion June 23 at 8:30 a.m.
Before the council took a recess, they did agree on some amendments to the budget like giving the Hospitality Hub $100,000 to help the homeless.
They will also give the Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board $200,000. That will become final when the entire budget is passed.
The council also voted on some impassee committee decisions.
Memphis Animal Shelter workers who have been there at least a year were given a $1 per hour raise.
They will also be getting bullet proof vests to be used in situations where they have to rescue animals from dangerous situations.
The council voted to give dispatchers a 6% pay raise.
Memphis firefighters also got what they asked for. They will get 3% combined raise with 1% being given next June and the additional 2% next July.
All of the other departments, like police, were not discussed, so they’ll have to wait just a little bit longer to find out if they’ll be seeing a raise next year.
Despite all of the raises granted by the council, they also shut down Council member Harold Collins’ proposal to reinstate pre-65 retiree’s benefits.
His motion called for it to be 60% employer and 40% employee, and pull the money from OPEB material and supplies.
A budget has to be worked out by July 1.
