MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris presented his $1.6 billion proposed budget to the County Commission on Wednesday.

For the sixth year in a row, he does not plan to ask for a property tax increase. The county’s property tax will remain steady at $3.39 per $100 of assessed value.

All employees would receive a 6% raise under the proposed budget. The raise for law enforcement will position Shelby County’s law enforcement officers to be amongst the highest
paid in the region, according to the mayor’s office.

In addition to this, there is a proposed $28.4 million included for teacher raises. About $427 million will go into school operations to help maintain funding levels. They are also asking for a $250K grant to Pure Academy, hoping to develop a new boarding school in Memphis’ urban core.

Harris stated the tax could remain the same and they would still be able to rebuild Regional One. They also plan to add a new mental health facility.

An estimated $500 million would go towards construction. Roughly $24 million will go to Regional One to care for those who can’t pay.

Public safety programs will receive full-year funding increases, with $2.3 million for Juvenile Cour, $2.2 million to the Public Defender, and $2.9 million to the District Attorney.

Over $1 million will be invested into public transit/MATA.

The budget contains no new employees, as the government cannot afford to grow, he said.

“This is our toughest budget year,” said Mayor Harri. “Shelby County has faced high inflation and loss of stimulus funds. When faced with those challenges we identified cost-saving measures to redirect resources towards our community’s needs. Our investments in lifting the wages of working people, education, public transit, and healthcare, including mental healthcare, will be transformative.”

Last week, Memphis Mayor Paul Young presented his budget proposal to the Memphis City Council. He proposed a 75-cent tax increase for city property owners.