New County Budget Approved Including Jobs in Sheriff’s Office
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After a lengthy session that extended past midnight, Shelby County Commissioners have approved a new county budget that includes a consistent property tax rate, 6% increased pay for county employees, and the retention of several positions in the Sheriff’s department. This endorsement served as a significant victory for Sheriff Floyd Bonner, who fought a vigorous campaign to save these posts.
Sheriff’s Office Jobs in Jeopardy
Initially, under Mayor Lee Harris’ proposal, the budget suggested slashing 441 vacancies from the Sheriff’s office that had remained unfilled for over a year. Sheriff Bonner, however, was prepared for a legal confrontation over this matter, arguing that a state law prevented such budget cuts to the Sheriff’s office. He had assembled a legal team and was ready to take the issue to court.
In the words of Bonner, “I was very serious about suing. We had our attorney. We had everything lined up. The state law requires, in other words, the state law says that the sheriff’s budget cannot be cut.”
Compromise Reached
The new county budget involved difficult choices as the county balanced increased spending on schools and the rebuilding of the Regional One hospital against the desirability of avoiding a property tax increase. The property tax rate remains unaltered at $3.39 per $100 of assessed value. However, Sheriff Bonner was unwavering in his stance on maintaining public safety.
According to Bonner, more potential employees are applying for positions within the sheriff’s office. “We started a new jail class this morning with 22. We’re starting to see numbers that we hadn’t seen in years,” he said. “We are hiring as quickly and best as we can. Things are really going well.”
Other Budget Cuts Approved
Commissioner Mick Wright pushed through several cuts, including eliminating funding for the county clerk’s office in Poplar Plaza, which was closed following the eviction of the county clerk. However, amid the significant decisions, the headline news is the protection of the sheriff’s office positions. The fiscal year 2025 budget takes effect on July 1.
