New Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and the 13 members of the Shelby County Commission were sworn in together – to show unity between the two bodies of government – Thursday afternoon at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.

2. Former MPD Director Melvin Burgess Dies - Saturday, June 30, 2018

Former Memphis Police Director Melvin Burgess Sr. died Thursday, June 28.

Burgess, the father of Shelby County commissioner Melvin Burgess Jr., served as police director from January 1992 to May 1994. He was appointed by then-Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton in one of his first actions as mayor.

3. Former MPD Director Melvin Burgess Dies - Friday, June 29, 2018

Former Memphis Police Director Melvin Burgess Sr. died Thursday, June 28.

Burgess, the father of Shelby County commissioner Melvin Burgess Jr., served as police director from January 1992 to May 1994. He was appointed by then-Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton in one of his first actions as mayor.

4. Commission Approves Graceland Resolution in Forum Non-Compete Controversy - Tuesday, June 5, 2018

The Shelby County commission dipped its toes in the roiling waters of the Graceland-Grizzlies arena flap with a vote Monday, June 4, to conditionally endorse the idea of a 6,200-seat Whitehaven arena built by Elvis Presley Enterprises on the Graceland campus.

5. Commission Races Feature Basar Upset, Lowery is Newest Commissioner - Thursday, May 3, 2018

The 13-member Shelby County Commission will have eight new faces when all of the votes are counted in the Aug. 2 county general election.

Five of the current incumbent commissioners are term-limited from seeking re-election this year and two other incumbents chose not to seek a second term.

6. Harris, Lenoir to Battle for County Mayor - Thursday, May 3, 2018

Republican David Lenoir and Democrat Lee Harris will meet in the Aug. 2 county general election to decide who will be the next Shelby County mayor. Lenoir and Harris won their respective primaries easily Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

7. Commission Races Feature Basar Upset - Wednesday, May 2, 2018

The Shelby County Commission will have eight new faces when all of the votes are counted in the Aug. 2 county general election.

Five of the current incumbent county commissioners are term-limited from seeking re-election this year and two other incumbents chose not to seek a second term on the 13-member body.

8. Lenoir and Harris Advance in County Mayor's Race - Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Republican David Lenoir and Democrat Lee Harris will meet in the Aug. 2 county general election to decide who will be the next Shelby County Mayor. Lenoir and Harris won their respective primaries easily Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

9. County Commission Urges Haslam to Veto Immigration Bill - Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Shelby County commissioners approved a resolution Monday, April 30, urging Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam to veto a bill that would require local and state law enforcement agencies to work with federal immigration and customs enforcement agents on immigration matters.

10. County Commission Urges Haslam Veto of Immigration Bill - Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Shelby County commissioners approved a resolution Monday, April 30, urging Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam to veto a bill that would require local and state law enforcement agencies to work with federal immigration agents on immigration matters.

11. Four County Commissioners Unopposed As May Ballot Filing Deadline Approaches - Thursday, February 15, 2018

With a noon deadline Thursday, Feb. 15, to make the May 1 Shelby County primary ballot, four incumbent county commissioners had no opposition filed in their re-election bids.

Five Republican primary races on the ballot for 23 county offices, including the 13 commission seats, were one-candidate affairs with two or more Democrats running in the competing primaries as of Tuesday. Two Democratic primary races were also one-candidate races against a field of multiple Republican contenders in the companion primary.

12. County Commission Gets New Majority in September - Saturday, January 20, 2018

Shelby County commissioner George Chism will not be seeking a second term on the commission in the 2018 county elections.

13. Last Word: Snow Week, Liberal Arts and Their Critics and Tunica Casinos - Thursday, January 18, 2018

Snow Day 3 as this becomes a snow week for many of us. Granted one of those days was a federal holiday in which the temperature was above freezing and the sun was out. During the second consecutive snow day Wednesday for Shelby County Schools students, Candous Brown, a teacher at Raleigh Egypt High School held class anyway via Facebook.

14. Shelby County Commission to Have New Majority in September - Monday, January 15, 2018

District 2 Shelby County commissioner George Chism will not be seeking a second term in the 2018 county elections.

15. Roland Pulls Petition For Mayor, Running As ‘Uniter’ - Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Shelby County commissioner Terry Roland has been campaigning for Shelby County mayor since last year.

When he pulled his qualifying petition Thursday, Jan. 11, to formally enter the May Republican primary for mayor, Roland did so with a slogan of bringing “positive change to Shelby County.”

16. Shelby County Commission To Have New Majority in September - Friday, January 12, 2018

District 2 Shelby County commissioner George Chism will not be seeking a second term on the commission in the 2018 county elections.

17. Battling Opioids - Friday, January 5, 2018

Later this month, Shelby County government will roll out a public health effort led by the Shelby County Health Department to battle opioid addiction. “We’re taking a very long view of this. It’s not going to be a quick fix,” Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell told Shelby County Commission members Wednesday, Jan. 3, during committee sessions.

18. Sawyer, Goff Kick Off Commission Campaigns - Thursday, November 30, 2017

Tami Sawyer and Sam Goff may be seeing each other on the August county general election ballot. But between now and May, they have separate primary races for the District 7 seat on the Shelby County Commission.

19. County Primary Filing Opens With Paperwork Flurry - Monday, November 20, 2017

A total of 37 prospective candidates in the May 2018 county primaries pulled qualifying petitions last week on the first day of the filing period Friday, Nov. 17.

And the first contenders through the doors at the Shelby County Election Commission in a period that extends to a February deadline confirms a few trends.

20. The Next Four Years - Saturday, November 18, 2017

A week before candidates for the 2018 Shelby County elections could pull qualifying petitions to run, Shelby County Commissioner David Reaves was thinking out loud on Facebook.

“Next four years,” was how it began.

21. Last Word: Fincher in Autumn, Brooks and Mud Island and 115 Years of Chocolate - Wednesday, October 18, 2017

This is a very autumnal part of the political season. Leaves falling and moving toward the end of the calendar year. But before you get too into the year-end holidays, candidates are making their declarations about what they will be running for in the new year. It’s a light touch when it’s done right – just a way of letting you know they will be around once the holiday trappings are put back in the closet on the other side of New Year’s.

22. Last Word: The Brooks Question, Boyd's Answer and Tigers In the Polls - Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Art as a real estate consideration. One of the more unusual of many considerations as the Brooks search for a new site – a possible new site, I should add, becomes the city’s favorite topic. So from the CRE vantage point – here are two more possible sites to think about if you haven’t already – Cossitt Library and the Fairgrounds, as well as right where it has been for the last century.

23. Commission Votes Down Health Coverage Change - Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners voted down a switch Monday, Aug, 28, of the county’s health insurance administration contract from Cigna to an $11 million, two-year contract with two one-year renewal options with Aetna.

24. County Commission Votes Down Health Coverage Change - Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners voted down a switch Monday, Aug, 28, of the county’s health insurance administration contract from Cigna to Aetna in an $11 million two-year contract with two renewals of one year each.

25. County Budget Talks Reveal Political Divide - Friday, July 14, 2017

When Shelby County Commissioners convene Monday, July 17, it will be their third meeting in a week – following committee sessions Wednesday and the special meeting to approve a county operating budget two days before that.

26. County Budget Vote Delayed But Government Continues To Operate - Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Shelby County government’s fiscal year begins Saturday, July 1, but the county won’t have a new operating budget at least until July 10.

That’s when the Shelby County Commission meets in special session to take up an estimated $13 million in amendments various commissioners are proposing to the budget proposal of county mayor Mark Luttrell.

27. County Commission Opposes End To Juvenile Court Oversight, Delays Budget Vote - Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners approved a resolution Monday, June 26, opposing an end to the Justice Department memorandum governing conditions at Memphis-Shelby County Juvenile Court. And Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell said he will veto it.

28. County Commission Debates 3-Cent Tax Rate Cut - Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners approved a 3-cent reduction in the county property tax rate Monday, June 12, on the first of three readings but delayed a vote on the operating budget resolution for more discussion about how to account for the tax-rate cut.

29. County Commission Continues Tax Cut Calculations - Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners approved a three-cent reduction in the county property tax rate Monday, June 12, on the first of three readings but delayed a vote on the operating budget resolution for more discussion about how to account for a cut in the tax rate.

30. 2,700 Vote Early, 3 Election Day Polls Move in House District 95 - Tuesday, June 13, 2017

A total of 2,700 citizens cast early votes ahead Thursday’s special state House District 95 election in eastern Shelby County. And on election day, three of the 14 polling places – two in Collierville and one in Germantown – will move from their regular locations.

31. Last Word: Game Day In San Antonio, Gas Tax Compromise and Democrats Talk - Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Shelby County Commissioner Justin Ford is out on bond after being charged Monday with domestic violence assault and false imprisonment. And the Shelby County Commission does not appear to have a precedent for taking any kind of action until the charges are resolved one way or another although commission chairman Melvin Burgess is exploring that with attorneys.

32. County Commissioner Justin Ford Charged With Domestic Violence - Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Shelby County Commissioner Justin Ford was arrested by Memphis Police Sunday, April 24, on a felony charge of domestic violence assault and a false imprisonment charge.

33. County Commission Backs Medical Marijuana, Opposes School Vouchers - Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners endorsed state legislation Monday, Feb. 20, that would legalize marijuana for medical purposes, came out against a school voucher bill by state Senator Brian Kelsey of Germantown and turned away a social media use policy for county employees.

34. Luttrell Says Amendments Coming To Gov. Haslam’s Gas Tax Proposal - Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell says he supports Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam’s proposed gas-tax hike coupled with a roll back of other taxes.

35. Last Word: Valero Protest Arrests, Anticipating Trump's Impact & Saving Booksellers - Tuesday, January 17, 2017

A busy King holiday weekend that reflects what the week as a whole will probably be like at least politically. The weather is anyone’s guess. A group of about 40 people protested at the entrance to the Valero refinery in South Memphis Monday afternoon and a dozen were arrested by Memphis police.

36. Burgess Suggests Fewer Deputies In Courtroom - Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Shelby County Commission chairman Melvin Burgess wants to see a broader use of Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies within the city working with Memphis Police.

37. Last Word: Humes Next, Top ZIPs in Residential and Payback in the Legislature - Friday, January 13, 2017

Add Dave & Buster’s to the list of "it" retail hot spots. The restaurant-arcade has inked a lease in Cordova by Wolfchase Galeria with plans to open later this year, probably fourth quarter.

38. County Commission Renews Bolton Contract - Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners voted Monday, Jan. 9, to renew a contract with attorney Julian Bolton after some debate about whether Bolton’s position is necessary.

39. County Commission Continues Bolton Contract, Approves Legislative Wish List - Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Shelby County Commissioners voted Monday, Jan 9, to renew its contract with attorney Julian Bolton after some debate about whether Bolton’s position in necessary.

40. Shelby County Commission Votes Down Pot Ordinance - Wednesday, December 7, 2016

The Shelby County Commission voted down Monday, Dec. 5, an ordinance that would have matched a city of Memphis ordinance allowing police the option of writing a civil summons or ticket with a $50 fine for possession of half an ounce or less of marijuana.

41. Commission Votes Down Pot Ordinance - Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Shelby County Commissioners voted down Monday, Dec. 5, an ordinance that would have matched the city of Memphis ordinance allowing police the option of writing a civil summons or ticket with a $50 fine for possession of half an ounce or less or marijuana.

42. Commissioners Clash on Pot and PILOT - Wednesday, November 2, 2016

A pot ordinance for unincorporated areas of Shelby County got only four votes Monday, Oct. 31, from the county commission but still advanced to second reading, and commissioners could not agree on a resolution opposing a Nov. 8 ballot question that would shift MLGW funds to the city of Memphis.

43. County Commission Split on MLGW PILOT Referendum - Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Shelby County Commissioners couldn’t come up with seven votes, much less a unanimous vote, Monday. Oct. 31, on a resolution opposing the November ballot question that would change the balance of in lieu of tax payments by Memphis Light Gas and Water Division in favor of the city of Memphis.

44. The Week Ahead: September 26-October 2 - Monday, September 26, 2016

Hello, Memphis! This week kicks off with a presidential debate on the national stage. It wraps up with a hefty dose of bona fide blues, played on several stages much closer to home. And that’s just a taste of what you need to know about in The Week Ahead…

45. Commission Eyes Bolton High as Ag Career Center - Friday, September 23, 2016

When Wade Bolton was shot and fatally wounded in Court Square in 1869 by a former partner in a slave trading firm, it continued a long-running feud across several years in which eight people altogether would die violently.

46. Last Word: Heart of the Park, Tigers Opener Preview and Memphis In May Numbers - Thursday, September 1, 2016

“Try to remember the kind of September when life was slow and oh, so mellow. Try to remember the kind of September when grass was green and grain was yellow.”

It would appear this is that kind of September you would otherwise be remembering.

47. Burgess New Chairman Of County Commission - Saturday, August 20, 2016

Melvin Burgess is the new chairman of the Shelby County Commission.

The second-term Democratic commissioner ran unopposed for the leadership post and was elected by the body at its Monday, Aug. 15, session.

48. Last Word: One Beale Delay, Memphis Banks and The Other Anniversary - Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Changing the city’s skyline comes with some challenges. That’s a reflection of ever-changing economic conditions and the terrain by the Mississippi River on which the city’s skyline is built.

49. Burgess New Chairman Of County Commission - Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Melvin Burgess is the new chairman of the Shelby County Commission.

The second-term Democratic commissioner ran unopposed for the leadership post and was elected by the body at its Monday, Aug. 15, session.

50. Commission Sets Tax Rate, Debate Remains - Friday, July 29, 2016

Shelby County Commissioners made it official Wednesday, July 27, keeping the county property tax rate the same – at $4.37 per $100 of assessed value.

But the vote didn’t end the debate among commissioners about the future trajectory of the tax rate.

51. Commission, Shelby County Schools Leaders Talk Funding - Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Shelby County Commissioners set the stage for a Wednesday, May 25, budget committee session on school funding by holding up $2.8 million in redirected Shelby County Schools funding at its Monday meeting.

52. Events - Thursday, April 7, 2016

Metal Museum will host Whet Thursday on April 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 374 Metal Museum Drive. Attendees can participate in a foundry class, tour the galleries, and enjoy food trucks, cash bar and live music. Cost is free. Visit metalmuseum.org.

53. Strickland Names 26 to Eight Transition Committees - Thursday, October 22, 2015

Memphis Mayor-elect Jim Strickland announced Wednesday, Oct. 21, that he has named 26 people to eight committees that are the structure of his transition committee.

The transition committee members were chosen by Strickland along with the three co-chairs of the transition committee.

54. Shelby County Commission to Resolve Budget Loose Ends - Wednesday, June 17, 2015

The last time Shelby County Commissioners talked as a group about a county budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, the consensus they thought they had reached was falling apart.

That was two weeks ago and as commissioners began to part company, the body approved a stable $4.37 county property tax rate on the first of three readings.

55. County Commission Tax-Rate Debate Picks Up Volume - Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Shelby County Commissioners hit a big political divide Monday, June 1, and as a result will discuss in two weeks that most volatile of political topics – the property tax rate.

Commissioners approved on the first of three readings an ordinance to keep the property tax rate at the current $4.37.

56. Aramark Corrections Center Food Contract Approved - Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Aramark Correctional Services Inc. will take over food service at the Shelby County Corrections Center, four years after the private company did the same at the Shelby County Jail and Jail East.

57. Funeral Services Set for Former Police Director - Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Walter Winfrey was part of a wave of Memphis Police officers who got their badges and hit the streets of Memphis in 1968.

58. Commission Chair Sued by Seven Members - Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Seven Shelby County Commissioners are suing commission chairman Justin Ford for stopping them from adding items to the body’s agenda.

59. County Commission Starts School Bond Process - Monday, September 22, 2014

Shelby County Commissioners vote Monday, Sept. 22, on a resolution that is the first step in issuing $120 million in general obligation bonds over the next two years to finance “public works projects, including schools,” according to the resolution.

60. Competition Calls - Friday, September 5, 2014

Economic development and the quality of jobs coming to Shelby County are the dominant issues as county elected leaders begin a new four-year term of office this month.

And there are plenty of indications the local strategy is about to change, or at least shift, in response to the resurgence in manufacturing and distribution in North Mississippi.

61. County Commissioners Bid Final Farewells - Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Shelby County Commission Chairman James Harvey began the group’s Monday, Aug. 18, meeting on a hopeful note.

62. Democratic Sample Ballot Omits Some Names - Friday, July 25, 2014

Not every candidate who claimed the Democratic nomination in the May county primaries is on the Shelby County Democratic Party’s endorsement ballot that hits the streets this week.

With early voting underway in advance of the Aug. 7 election day, the sample ballot does not include Juvenile Court clerk candidate Henri Brooks, Circuit Court clerk nominee Rhonda Banks, Probate Court clerk candidate William Chism and County Clerk nominee Charlotte Draper.

63. Malone to Challenge Luttrell In August Mayoral Showdown - Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Former Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone will challenge incumbent Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell in the August county general election after winning the Tuesday, May 6, Democratic mayoral primary.

64. Malone Takes Early Vote In Mayoral Primary - Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Former Shelby County Commissioner Deidre Malone took the early vote in the three-way Democratic primary for Shelby County Mayor.

The first results of the Tuesday, May 6, election night showed Malone leading rivals county commissioner Steve Mulroy and former Shelby County Schools board member Kenneth Whalum Jr.

65. Obama Backs Cohen, Brooks Charges ‘Voter Suppression’ - Wednesday, April 23, 2014

U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen is touting the endorsement of President Barack Obama in his current re-election bid.

66. Commission Votes Down Family Planning Services Rebid Resolution - Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Shelby County Commissioners voted down a bid Monday, March 24, to rebid the county’s contract for federally-funded family planning services with Christ Community Health Services.

And the commission rejected an August referendum item on eliminating any residency requirement from the Shelby County Charter for county government employees as well as Shelby County Schools teachers.

67. Roland ReElected At Filing Deadline, Two Countywide Races Set For August - Friday, February 21, 2014

One of the six Shelby County Commission incumbents seeking re-election this year was effectively elected to a new four-year term in a new district with the noon Thursday, Feb. 20, filing deadline for candidates in the May county primaries.

68. Ethics Complaint Against Chism Dismissed - Monday, February 3, 2014

It was commissioner against commissioner in the highest profile use so far of Shelby County government’s current ethics policy.

And the dispute that affected the commission’s deliberations on a county property tax rate ended last week with a three-citizen panel dismissing County Commissioner Terry Roland’s complaint against fellow Commissioner Sidney Chism.

69. Ethics Panel Dismisses Roland Complaint Against Chism - Friday, January 31, 2014

The highest profile use of Shelby County government’s ethics policy since it was implemented in 2008 has ended with the three-citizen panel hearing a complaint by County Commissioner Terry Roland against fellow Commissioner Sidney Chism dismissing Roland’s claim.

70. Ethics Panel Dismisses Roland Complaint Against Chism - Friday, January 31, 2014

The highest profile use of Shelby County government’s ethics policy since it was implemented in 2008 has ended with the three-citizen panel hearing a complaint by County Commissioner Terry Roland against fellow Commissioner Sidney Chism dismissing Roland’s claim.

71. Whalum, Harvey Pull Petitions for Mayor’s Race - Saturday, January 25, 2014

Shelby County Commission Chairman James Harvey and former Shelby County Schools board member Kenneth Whalum Jr. have pulled qualifying petitions to run in the May Democratic primary for Shelby County Mayor.

72. Whalum, Harvey Pull Petitions for Mayor’s Race - Friday, January 24, 2014

Shelby County Commission Chairman James Harvey and former Shelby County Schools board member Kenneth Whalum Jr. have pulled qualifying petitions to run in the May Democratic primary for Shelby County Mayor.

73. Commission to Have New Faces in 2014 - Friday, December 20, 2013

When Shelby County Commissioners said farewell to one of their own this week at the commission’s last meeting of 2013, it was the latest in a series of changes that will remake the 13-member body by this time next year.

74. Commission Votes Down School Board Pay Raise - Wednesday, December 18, 2013

The issue of how much to pay elected officials was settled Monday, Dec. 16, by the Shelby County Commission on one front.

But the debate will still be around in another form in the new year.

75. Brown Launches County Commission Campaign - Tuesday, December 17, 2013

In a Midtown apartment last week, Jake Brown gathered his friends and friends of those friends to launch his campaign for a seat on the Shelby County Commission in the 2014 county elections.

76. Roland Calls for Probe of Missing Schools Inventory - Thursday, December 5, 2013

Shelby County Commissioner Terry Roland is calling for a special meeting of the Shelby County Commission this month to talk with Shelby County Schools officials about the recent external audit of the school system that couldn’t account for $48.4 million in school system property and equipment.

77. Commission Considers County Pay Raises - Monday, November 18, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners take up proposed pay raises Monday, Nov. 18, for the offices of Shelby County mayor, Shelby County sheriff and four other countywide elected officials.

The commission votes on the first of three readings, which also includes an ordinance to keep the pay of Shelby County Commissioners at $29,100 a year.

78. Schools Move Focus to Early Childhood - Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The date still isn’t firm for the Nov. 21 ballot. But the campaign for a half-cent hike in the city’s sales tax rate to fund an expansion of pre-kindergarten in the city of Memphis is underway.

So are the complications that have been a close companion of the idea since it was first proposed a year ago and approved by the Memphis City Council.

79. County Commission’s Partisan, Personal Divide Resurfaces - Wednesday, September 11, 2013

As Shelby County Commissioners were asking some pretty pointed questions Monday, Sept. 9, of those vying for an appointment to the countywide school board, Commissioner Heidi Shafer told Shante Avant, one of the contenders, “We’re not as scary as we seem.”

80. Commission Appoints Avant To School Board, Keeps Shafer As Budget Chair - Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners appointed Shante Avant, a mother who has worked for the Women’s Foundation and other local nonprofits for 17 years, as the newest members of the countywide school board.

81. Commission Appoints Avant To School Board, Keeps Shafer As Budget Chair - Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners appointed Shante Avant, a mother who has worked for the Women’s Foundation and other local nonprofits for 17 years, as the newest members of the countywide school board.

82. County Commission to Fill School Board Vacancy - Monday, September 9, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners bring the countywide school board up to its full strength of seven members Monday, Sept. 9, by appointing someone to the open District 6 seat.

The commission meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Vasco Smith County Administration Building, 160 N. Main St.

83. Tax Rate Delay Could Affect County Cash Flow - Thursday, July 11, 2013

Shelby County property taxes aren’t due until October, but the tax bills were to go out to taxpayers later this month.

And that could cause some cash flow problems if a new county property tax rate isn’t set soon.

84. Commission Votes Down $4.38 Tax Rate - Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners voted down a $4.38 county property tax rate Monday, July 8, in a decision that could reopen the county’s operating budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.

At the least, the commission vote means it will be mid August at the earliest before the commission sets a tax rate. But if the commission lowers the tax rate from $4.38, it would force reconsideration of a county operating budget that is based on that higher tax rate.

85. Commission to Vote on $4.38 Tax Rate - Monday, July 8, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners take a final vote Monday, July 8, on a new county property tax rate of $4.38.

The commission meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Vasco Smith County Administration Building, 160 N. Main St.

86. Commission Approves Budget and 1st Reading of Tax Rate - Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners approved an operating budget for Shelby County government Monday and approved on the first of three reading a $4.38 property tax rate to fund that budget.

The votes that signal the end of the county’s budget season came after a prolonged commission debate about the basic role of county government.

87. Schools Could Get Additional $4 Million - Wednesday, April 17, 2013

When Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell presented his consolidated county government budget proposal last week to county commissioners, he made an important change that may have upped the amount of new revenue available for the consolidated school district.

88. Commission Starts County Budget Season - Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Shelby County Commission opens its budget season Wednesday, April 10, starting down a road of pivotal decisions for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The process begins Wednesday with an overview of county finances from Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell.

89. Budget Deliberations - Friday, February 22, 2013

When Shelby County Commissioners get together Saturday, Feb. 23, at Memphis City Schools Central Nutrition Center for a county budget retreat, they will have a long menu of county financial matters to review.

90. Commission Debates Post-Hostess Bread Prices - Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners approved a $251,958 contract with a Batesville, Ark., bakery that at least for now has a perceived monopoly on baking and distributing large amounts of bread in the region.

91. County Wage Theft Ordinance Defeated - Wednesday, January 16, 2013

After weeks of discussion, talks between Shelby County Commissioner Steve Mulroy and leaders of the city’s hospitality industry broke down on Mulroy’s “wage theft” ordinance.

92. County Wage Theft Ordinance Defeated - Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners voted down a “wage theft” ordinance Monday, Jan. 14, on third and final reading.

The proposal failed on a 5-7 vote with very little debate among commissioners but a just about even split among 23 citizens who spoke on the issue before the commission voted.

93. County Wage Theft Ordinance Defeated - Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Shelby County Commissioners voted down a “wage theft” ordinance Monday, Jan. 14, on third and final reading.

The proposal failed on a 5-7 vote with very little debate among commissioners but a just about even split among 23 citizens who spoke on the issue before the commission voted.

94. Bartlett Zoning Case Tops Commission Agenda - Monday, November 5, 2012

Shelby County Commissioners take up a proposed assisted living facility at their meeting Monday, Nov. 5, that doesn’t yet require approval from the city of Bartlett but which is in an area Bartlett is seeking to annex.

95. Ritz Settles In as Commission Chairman - Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Shelby County Commissioners had some new seating arrangements and committee assignments Monday, Sept. 10, as commissioner Mike Ritz began his yearlong term as chairman of the body.

Former chairman and Democrat Sidney Chism was seated next to former chairman pro tempore and Republican Wyatt Bunker.

96. Love and Gibson Appointed To Countywide School Board - Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Shelby County Commissioners appointed Mary Anne Gibson and Oscar Love Monday, Sept. 10, to the countywide school board.

97. Commission to Vote on Overriding Veto - Monday, August 27, 2012

Shelby County Commissioners will probably vote Monday, Aug. 27, on whether to override a veto by County Mayor Mark Luttrell.

98. Basar Prepares for Commission Service - Friday, August 17, 2012

The newest Shelby County Commissioner will take the oath of office Sept. 5 at the Vasco Smith County Administration Building.

Steve Basar was elected to the District 1 Position 3 seat in the August elections.

99. County Sales Tax Hike Frustrates Wharton - Friday, August 17, 2012

The possibility of a countywide sales tax referendum on the Nov. 6 ballot has caused a scramble among political leaders.

When the Shelby County Commission approved the ballot question Monday, Aug. 13, some political leaders began reading up on state laws for competing sales tax hikes within the same county. And others began trying to change the minds of commissioners who voted for it.

100. Commission Approves Countywide Sales Tax Referendum - Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Shelby County Commissioners approved Monday, Aug. 13, a half cent sales tax hike ballot question that would go to voters in Memphis and the unincorporated county on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The item was added onto Monday’s commission agenda by Commissioner Mike Ritz who said he proposed the ballot question to check a planned citywide referendum on a half percent local sales tax hike.