County Commission - Regular Meeting

We can have the deputy sheriff call meeting to order. the invitation by Reverend Dr. K. Let us pray. Good and gracious God, we assemble here again this your hallowed halls to bear witness that the ideas of our democratic republic may prevail for your glory. We come from diverse backgrounds, interests, and associations in a glorious attempt to assure shared prosperity rooted in equity and inclusion for all citizens in Shelby County. We invoke your presence, oh God, as we touch and agree as our commissioners make decisions and policies pleasing to you for the blessed hope for all in our state and in our nation. We bear witness to those who want to serve. Pray oh God you may undergard them with your aim and intent. Be mindful that the grace and mercy still we all are holding to hands that pick cotton that we might be rooted in agriculture. Commerce that sold slaves but given us grace to continue to make

our nation civilized. be with us all day our God for your glory in your name justice peace and prosperity we say amen allegiance seated.

If you could call the role. Commissioner Commissioner Bibs Commissioner Commissioner Sugarman present. Commissioner Mills

Commissioner Thor Commissioner Brooks Commissioner Vice Chairwoman. We do have a We now move to presentation of mind. Could you do the honor presentation to Dr. Thank you, Madam Chair. It's my honor again. Thank you, uh, Pastor Brooks for all your great work in our community on behalf of, uh, the Sher County Commissioners. We uh we're presenting you with this appreciation for today as honor chap. Thank you. We'll now move to the approval of the minutes. This will be approval of the February 23rd, 2026 minutes. Can we do that without any objections?

I was going to make a motion that we I think what's in the system is not correct as far as I make a motion that we defercept. You are correct. They are not. reclain your motion.

Yes, madam chair. I move that we I'm sorry I don't know what the right motion is to consider these next without objection. So it's for the purposes of on the floor. I'd like to use a motion by us and then a motion by motion by Gordon. Now I'd like to say there are two ways possible for us to for you to join the meeting via the designated email account.gov and via phone at 90122 Members of the public address members of the public addressed

If you would like to express your pleasure or displeasure before members of the public in advance. We have two staff birthdays for the month of March. Happy birthday March 13. Happy birthday to you. We will now comment Joe and zip code for the record. Joe Kent 5111 Flamingo. Uh so I'd like to identify four redneck public outcomes starting with the matabotch and forensic audit, MSCS botch and forensic audit, the still unreported greater Memphis workforce development uh board botch and for forensic audit of the chambers physical agency and a systemic ripoff from pilots and the unreported policy failure through a massive 38,000 job loss K job loss coming under your FedEx Memphis tomorrow connected chairman of the economic development committee. In fact, most of the former redneck outcomes occur under your departing commissioners. You departing commissioners and many of you uh and the press chose to chase Wander Halbert Wanda Howard around town. Next, Madame Chair, please uh don't put the chamber on the commission agenda. only allow them to communicate to you via public comment.

Why? They are cowardly no-shows when asked by you and this commission to show up. They don't care about you, Madam Chair. They don't care about you. And they embarrassed your workforce chair by not showing up multiple times. In fact, the Mike Keaney Duncan William Chamber is chamber that chamber is a cowardly organization. Madam Chair, the Chamber is a redneck organization. As the punk families of so are the punk families of Memphis, you're dealing with a bunch of rednecks that owe taxpayers today about $2 billion. Next, I hope you saw my positive blog, which I do write on occasion on the Mayor Harris initiative to consolidate and reform pilots. While overdue, I commend the mayor for this initiative and creativity in identifying pilots as an and and debating boards as a funding source. I also commend the work of district 7 commissioner uh district 7 commissioner and her pallet pilot ad hoc committee. That concludes my marks. Thank you very much.

Thank you. We'll now move to agenda. I'm ask a p

Are there any items? I don't see anyone in queue. Are there any peg finance committee with commissioner as vice chair? Item two is a resolution approving the purchase of system mainten with the option to remove for two additional one periods where the list price shall not exceed prior year. This requires the expenditure of FY 2026 information technology services internal service in amount note three and four come from the law enforcement correction committee which is chaired by commission. Item three the 26 operating budget to expend grant funds from the Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. This item requires appropriation and expenditure of federal funds in the amount of 135,279 sponsored by Commissioner. Item four is a resolution to approve cooperative efforts between county sheriff's office and three municipe. contract with Nelson,000

to provide services for transis. This requires expendure of federal funds from Tennessee Department of Transportation DOT and Mississippi Department of Transport $150,000 sponsored by Commissioner Virginia. Item six is a resolution approving the contract to provide onestyear periods. This requires expendit Item seven to provide services with the options to renew for two additional periods. This requires expends sponsored by it contract to provide call services for air quality and travel. This requires expendit$455,258

with an extra work of $22,78,21 for engineering and installation of solar outlined. This requires expend. Item 10 comes from vice chair. It is a resolution conserving the election for appointment and reappoint for county sponsored by commissioner Brooks. Item 12 is a resolution approving the nomination of James for appointments. Items 13 neighborhoods committee chairs. Item 13 is a resolution that 27 properties for tax 2202 commencing April 7th, 2026 environmental risk and have financial liability so as to The county commissioner to not bid on such properties on behalf of Shelby County sponsored by Commissioner Henry. Item 14 is a resolution approving the conveyance of one county parcel acquired by Shelby

County Shelby County to the city of consideration maintion. 19 parcels acquired by Shelby County Shelby County, pursuant to Tennessee and authorizing Shelby County. Item 16 comes from audit commission as vice chair. Item 16 is a resolution of the Shelby County government6. Item 18 comes from community which is chaired by commissioner. Item 18 is a resolution funds from the FY26 to the amount of $20,000 to the Clarence Lash Firefighter Foundation authorized March 4th 2026. Thank you. Can I get a motion?

Did you report? We have from commissioner bibs bibs marsford chairwoman we have n Item 17,500 organizure I have a motion by commissioner second by commissioner recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair. For this I' like to add a motion by second by 2000,00

We do that without objection. We have eye from commissioner Caswell Sugarman Mills right Morrison Bradford Ayain we have nine eyes and one that motion passes regular I know that the appointment of district is one of the items that's on our agenda I did want to share that we are at the end of the agenda as soon as we will ceremony here directly following

Please read item number. Item 19 finance committee which was chaired by commission. Item 19 is a resolution to approve a one time nonrecurring grant to South Memphis renewal community excuse me renewal community development corporation in amount not exceed $250,000. This grant county commissioner strategic priorities directly serves citizens of Shelby County. This requires expend without a motion by commission by commission. Can I get a committee report? Commissioner recognized in order to resolve and we sponsor four of those Basically summer camps are we have the summer camps are camps whereby children they are not referred. They are not children in any children who are on the street do not have anywhere to go during the summer and we have all of our summer camps in churches. So our children if you want to call it selfre

this year it's going to be extremely important that we are up and running as soon as possible because the legis what we do in our summer events because we conjunction with our partners. So this year we can try to recruit more partners to help us be able to extremely district. So with that I would appreciate Thank you, Chair and thank you, Commissioner Brooks, for the explanation. Um, I would love to see this go through committee. Um, the sponsor of it wasn't present so we can have the discussion. Um, particularly just to just figure out um the source of the funding and just how we can ensure that access to these same dollars are shared across the county. Um I'm aware that this item didn't come through as a budget amendment and so um as we've been told that we have some fiscal constraints where this $250,000 is coming from is of interest to district. Thank you. So a motion I would like to make a motion to um defer this back to the upcoming committee. Have a motion by Commissioner Thordon. I have a motion by Commissioner Thordon. Is there a second by

now? Thank you. return back to just fact trying We're trying to give children a place to go and feed them and then give them extra food to take home because we know that this summer The source of the funding is indicated in the resolution. So if there's a question that's not on the table, thank you for the clarity. So when we think about children who are hungry walking the streets of the county, not just we to figure out what is the plan to be able

to support all children if that is the focus particular general fund. So these were not budgeted dollars and I'm just curious about the process of how one commissioner can tap into the general fund and others have not been given that um this is just about process clarity and fairness. $250,000 is a sizable allocation compared to other things that come across our desk and there are number of us that have different initiatives that we would love to be able to get the same support from the administration to be able to fund. So I just want to get more clarity to know um what is going on and because this is a multi-year investment into this initiative I'm not seeing any of the metrics I don't know how many serve what exactly the locations are and I have constituents reach out to ask questions about this particular allocation. So committees where we vet these things. I would love for the sponsor to be present so that we can have those robust conversations and I would just ask not to delay because this is something for the summer. It's March so it's not a time issue. I think that we can go to committee. Thank you. Okay. As far as all the metrics and everything involves more than just I have church leaders work with me as far as

let me just say those children in that district of that district So many others is going to enjoy Thank you, Madam Chair. I think Commissioner Brooks does good work with this program. So, my my question is not related to the program itself, but the county attorney's office can just clarify that county attorney's office review this resolution. Just to confirm that it is proper for either this is a prior budgeted amount contract or we're amending the budget to create a new expenditure. And if so, we just need clarity on what we mean by the grant. funds. We're talking about balance or the format of the resolution itself because I think that will tell us whether or not we're approving an already budgeted expenditure or we are aing the budget to add a new county attorney's office that

Just a point of information. I see director coming down. I received different information. So we can just clarify. Is this a budget item or is this an amendment? That' be helpful. Good afternoon and finance. This is not coming out of fund. We do have the $250,000 already budgeted in the FY26 general fund budget. So it will not be coming out balance. [clears throat]

All right. So, would you like what I wanted to do in reference to $250 comes from4 and it has a budget. We're now voting on vote to committee. March 25th referring it to committee and no vote means no item. Please prepare the screen for a vote. Please report the vote.

We have votes from Commissioner Mills right. We have no votes from Commissioner Wley. Bibsman rights chairwoman from Commissioner Mills Thor. We have no votes from Commissioner Clay Bibs. Brooks we have eight and three. Now we'll go back to the item. Thank you chair and thank you commissioner Brooks for the clarity on the account number. Um to my colleagues I support whatever commission is thinking is best for her district. I would just like to see included in this particular item some of the documents. Commissioner Brooks reference, we have no metrics. So $250,000, nobody here can tell me how many children have been served, who the partners are. And so that specific information needs to be included so that the public can know how the dollars are being invested in this particular district. And so um you know, it would just be great for us to be consistent for some items. required evidence and proof when people come in and they do their reports for this particular item. It's just going through without any additional information. So, I've looked at the documents that are attached. Um if we can get into home base additional documents that Commissioner Brooks has and we give the public at least due diligence on this item. Thank you.

I can appreciate my colleagues interest because there's always room and need for So again, public We have the information. We will put the information on the website for the beginning up to the present. So you will be aware that's interesting for vote. Just report. We have from Commissioner Wheel Sugarman Morrison.

We have two abstain from Commissioner Mills. We have to the motion passes. Please read it. Item 20 comes from the general government committee which is chaired by Commissioner Brooks. Item 20 is a resolution in support and Senate Bill 2389 requesting the Shelby County delegation to support members of the Tennessee. Governor Charlie have a motion by Commissioner Sugarman by Vice Bradford. Thank you, Madam Chair. I like to be added as a motion by Commissioner by a second by Commission. Without a motion by Commissioner, second by Commissioner Brooks, second by Commissioner Sugarman. Without prepare for the vote.

We have eyeballs from Commissioner Wheell, Sugarman, Mills, Wright, Thortton, Morrison, Brooks, Bradford, AAC. We have 11 votes. That motion passes. We could get it to support compute.

Item 21 comes from the general government. by Commissioner Brooks. Item 21 is a resolution in support of Tennessee House Bill 1482 and Tennessee Senate Bill 1699 which prohibits federal agents from assembling on school campus and certain religious or publicly owned properties civil sponsored by Commissioner Eric and Commissioner March 4th 2026 committee meeting motion by vice chair and as an educator it's very important that we keep our children safe and this is what this bill does it supports what they're doing at the state um and it was asked about who are the sponsors at the state level and it's um senator and representative and again we have to children safe. Um, it breaks my heart when I hear stories about, you know, kids going home and their parents been picked up by ICE and they have no idea where they're taking. Um, we have to put these families together, whether they're immigrants or citizens. Um, everybody has a right to live a dignified manner and we need to follow the constitution and allow everybody due process. But society is by how they treat the least of us. We have to take pride and support these babies who are being terrorized by ICE. I don't know how many emails and text messages my colleagues are getting, but it's horrific. I have people for example who are business owners and talking about they're thinking about taking their business elsewhere because of

what's going on here and their kids are going to school and be called all kinds of names and we are the adults. We have to set the example for our young people. You know, I've been working at the end of the school system for 27 years, and it breaks my heart when kids have conversations with me. And I really don't have the answers. But this is one thing we can do. Make churches a safe place, places where these kids can go and feel protected. and urge my colleagues to support um the Tennessee General Assembly who want to support the people who are being terrorized in our city and our actually commissioners in the queue. Please report We have votes from commissioner bibs chairwoman. We have no votes from commissioner Mills right Marson Bradford. We have seven eyes. That motion passes. Please read item.

Item 22 comes from the general government committee which is chaired by commissioner Brooks. Item 22 is a resolution electing blank to serve as interim county commissioner for district 9 until successor elected and qualified in accordance with state law at the next general election set for August 626. Sponsored by Chairwoman Shant without recommendation March 4th 2026 committee meeting once you allow me to read the summary of this procedure for application we have a motion by vice chair Bradford by go there's one comment card butler your name.

Good afternoon. I'm Nick Butler. Zip code 38106. You can go go forward with your comments. Okay. I know that we have an uh action item number 22. I just want to speak on my support of and the work that is being done by Rashita Jones. I'm aware of several things that she does. She does everything from youth mentoring and support stabilization through housing and adequate amenities in the community as well as helping our marginalized uh population from different demographics. And I just wanted to make that be known. Thank you.

Thank you.

All right. If you could read the rules, the applicable procedure read as it pertains to nominations. The chairman of the county commission shall request a roll call for nominations and each commissioner present shall have the opportunity to place nomination one name. The first selection shall begin the nomination process with the commissioner of district one commissioner Amber Mills with the other commissioners following in numerical order. The chairwoman of the county commission however shall make the last nomination in each subsequent election. The roll call for nomination shall begin with the next nolog. basis for every election which shall be repeated when all district members have had an opportunity to make the initial nomination. Nominations may be taken from the floor as it pertains to speeches at the close of nominations. Each nominee shall be entitled to a minute speech to be given by the candidate or his willing speeches at its voting. Upon conclusion of the speeches, the woman shall request a roll call for selection and each commissioner present shall have the opportunity to select one nominee by name to fill the vacancy. The roll call vote shall be conducted in the same numerical sequence as the nomination process. The nominee selected to fill the vacancy shall receive the majority vote of the membership of the county commission. If no receives a majority first vote, the county commission shall hold subsequent votes considering only those nominees as follows. After the first vote, only those nominees who receive two or more votes shall be eligible to continue the process. After the second vote, only those nominees who receive the top two numerical votes shall be eligible to continue the process. After the third

vote, the commissioner may either move to defer the selection until the next meeting or move to reopen nominations. If nominations are reopened, the nomination and voting procedure shall be repeated in their entirety. Also note that that rule, that portion of the rule has also been suspended so that this body can adopt another manner in which to move forward with the nominations today. Colleagues, [clears throat] thank you again. I would like to thank all of the candidates who have offered themselves for public service. Please know and understand we know this is not a small for you to take the initiative to support the appointment of position of the county commission for district 9. very grateful to each of you have come out for that reason because of the great interviews that we were able to have on Wednesday and I know I've spoken also an opportunity to listen to those interviews they were not present on Wednesday's meeting so appreciate that as well I'd like to ask for a motion to suspend the rule so that there's not a motion by vice Bradford, second by Commissioner Sugar. Can we do that without objection? We will start with Commissioner Mills.

I'd like to nominate Dr. Commissioner nominate Matthew Commissioner Morrison,

Commissioner Caswell,

Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Commissioner Thornton. Nomination. Commissioner. Nominations. Commissioner Sugarman. Commissioner,

I'll nominate Williams nominations. Ready for a vote? Okay, so we're now moving forward with the nominations are Sharon Web, Matthew, James Harvey, Shalah, I'm sorry, my apologies, James Harvey, Patrice Robinson, Jones, Pearson and Adriana Williams. Those are the names of the nominees that we are voting on. Yes. And with this round, in order for a nominee to move forward, you have to have the first First vote the nominees if there's a majority vote then there will only be one vote after this first vote

will need to receive two or more votes to move on to the second round we could have a majority rule vote for one of the nominees if there is not then we'll move to the second round where the nominees will need at least two votes We're going to do a roll call. Commissioner Mills, Dr. Commissioner Bradford, Commissioner James,

Commissioner Marrison, Commissioner Caswell, Commissioner Brooks.

Commissioner So you got to have two. Okay. So that there's not a majority vote. with two votes or more. So after this no receives majority first vote county commission shall hold those nominees as follows. After that first vote only two or more votes shall continue to process. So only there's Not a majority winner.

That's the least of our worries. We're trying to get it right. So long as it takes how long Thank you. Commissioner Thorson, Commissioner, Commissioner Sugarman, Commissioner Chairwoman So those candidates that receive two or more votes to the second round, Matthew Shal and colleagues are three candidates Matthew Robinson. So now we candidates to receive the top two candidates to receive voter

Robinson, Commissioner Bradford, Commissioner Right, Commissioner Morrison,

Commissioner Caswell, Commissioner Brooks, Commission, Commissioner Thoron Robinson, Commissioner, Commissioner Sugarman. Commissioner

Jones. So we have two candidates that will move on. Two top natal. All right. So the two candidates before us are Matthew Shal and It Two candidates again,

Commissioner Mills, Commissioner Bradford, Commissioner Wright Commissioner Marrison, Commissioner Caswell, Commissioner Brooks, Commissioner Li, Commissioner Thornton. Commissioner Clay Bibs,

Commissioner Sugarman, Commissioner, Commissioner Chairwoman. Madam Chair, Madam Chair. [applause]

So, so at this time I have Commissioner Lowry.

Yes. Chairman, thank you for all for your efforts here as well. A lot of great folks. I move that this be done. I have a motion by Commissioner Lowry, second by Vice Bradford to move this person to be appointed by acclamation. Can we do that without objection? Seeing none. So moved. Mr. Shalot, you'd like to come forward. I again would like to thank all of the candidates who put themselves up for service. Uh we appreciate your and your effort and hope that you will continue to work with Mr. Shalah on behalf of District 9 and the great work that can be done. [applause]

I'll be very brief in just saying that I really appreciate all of your consideration and your support in this and I'm very excited to work alongside you all and learn from you all. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Shal. Colleagues, as I stated, um, we will adjourn our meeting and then we'll have a swearing in ceremony that I'd like to ask all of you to stay around for us to attend on behalf of swearing in Mr. Shal. Um, now we'll move to if there are any announcements or statements. Seeing none, this meeting is adjourned until the March 30th meeting at 3 p.m.

I know. Yes. Okay. Take care So, Commissioner, right?

They're on the on Wednesday. Oh, y'all got a long time for that. I'm good. How about you? Foreign

Hallelujah. We made it. Which one?

[laughter]

Slide out. That kick.

Good afternoon. What's up? What's up? How do we get this on? Hello. Hello. You guys can hear me. Testing, testing, test.

Testing one, too. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. I can have commission Yeah, I need to get If we could have our the county commissioners to come and sit on the first couple of rows, please. Commissioner Clay Bibs Caswell anyone Commissioner Sugarman why [snorts] Commissioner Thornton. Well, I am very pleased today uh at 4:28 on a Monday afternoon to start our oath of office ceremony for our newest appointee and our colleague Matthew Shalock. U it is no small feat to offer yourself up for public service. And so we are so grateful not only that he has so willingly desired to do so but his willingness to support us at a very critical time uh in our year as we

prepare for the budget. So um before tell you to buckle up and get ready. We'd like to do the formalities of doing an an official swearing in of our newest colleague. I am so grateful to each of you um for being here today and hopefully Mr. Shalah will see the most uh committed and dedicated group of public officials who really do have the best interest of our county uh at heart. And so it will be our pleasure to not only welcome you but also support you um as we do the work and business of this county. And so I'd like to ask if our vice chair would come forward and lead us in the pledge of allegiance.

Everyone please stand. I pledge allegiance to the flag. Now we'll move forward with our oath of office. I will now have uh the honorable Marcy Ingram come forward. Oh, I'm sorry. Invocation. We don't do anything without having a little prayer. My apologies to Pastor Brooks if you could come lead us in a prayer. Good and gracious God, we thank you for those hearts who are willing to serve. Thank you, God, that you brought forth a servant leader for such a time as this. consecrate all our continued decisions that we indeed might advance this county for in you for all. Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Now I'd like to ask the honorable Marcy Ingram to come forward to administer the oath of office. Good afternoon. If you will come and stand with me, say your oath. You want to be

I I doly swear swear that I will perform that I will perform with fidelity to duties with fidelity with fidelity to duties of the office to which of the office to which I have been appointed I have been appointed in which I am about to assume in which I'm about to assume and that I will support and that I will support obey obey and defend and defend the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the State of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee and the Charter of Shelby County. the Charter of Shelby County. And that I will faithfully and that I will faithfully discharge the duties

discharge the duties of the office of Shelby County Commissioner of the Office of Shelby County Commissioner representing District 9 representing District 9 of Shelby County, Tennessee. of Shelby County, Tennessee. To the best of my ability. to the best of my ability. [applause]

I'm going to sign this for you. You know, I'll just be very brief and just say that I I am really excited for this opportunity to work and learn aside alongside you all. You know, for me, this is um I'm very appreciative to be here. Most definitely very appreciative to be here. I think that this is a very important moment for Shelby County and District 9 as a whole. And so I really appreciate you all for entrusting me to come in at this moment to be able to serve the community and Shelby County as all. Thank you all. [applause] Commissioner Shal, we're excited to have you on board. Uh we are excited that we now are a full compliment, a full commission again at this time and um we are excited about the work ahead of us. Uh I would now like to ask if Pastor Brooks would come and close us out in a prayer. Um short but sweet. Um but Commissioner Shalah, we're excited to have you here with us today. So uh Reverend Brooks, if you would come and close us out. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, you brought us this far by faith. Our God is prepared to leave your place but never your presence. Be with us as we do the work of the people for your glory in your name. Amen.

If we could if I could have all the commissioners come, let's just do a quick picture.