County Commission - Regular Meeting

Good morning. Welcome to our new commissioners to your first committee meeting on September 9th, 2026. Welcome aboard. We're going to call to order the first committee, committee one, budget and finance. Parliamentarian, please read item one.

I have a motion by Commissioner Sugarman, a second by Commissioner Billingsley. Trustee Lee, how are you? Welcome to your first presentation as our new trustee.

Thank you, Mr. Lee. Commissioner Sugarman?

Thank you, Madam Chair. So I just have a few questions. I was going through the documents and this was out for bid, is that correct? Okay. And so I guess this is maybe a question for the purchasing department because I was going through here and I did not see a scorecard.

Okay. And so a question for Parliamentary. Isn't it part of our rules that the scorecards be in our system so we can look at it for ourselves? And the next question, there were any nonresponsive... Were there any non-responsive vendors? I guess that's for the purchasing department. Is there anybody from purchasing here?

Okay. And whose responsibility is it to put in Granicus or on board, on base, the scorecards and all the documents necessary?

Okay. Can you please provide that for all the commissioners?

Okay. Thank you. I see it now. Okay. And so the next question, is there an urgency? I'm just wondering, okay, as far as the contract goes, is there a sense of urgency? And if so, what is that urgency?

Okay, and so I don't know if my time is expired or not. I don't see the time, but I have one last question. And this is for the banker. The question is, as far as community service and giving back to our communities, I know that the former trustees sent us a list, and I just want to know going forward, what is the banker, as far as community service, give back, especially since they're the only banker for the Shelby County government?

Thank you so much. I just sent us a copy. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. Thank you.

Thank you, and good morning. Just a couple of questions, and congratulations, Mr. Trustee Lee. I am happy to be a co-sponsor on this piece of legislation. Just a couple of questions here, and I appreciate you sharing your community benefit contribution. We appreciate that, I'm sure. One of the things that concerns me The first thing has to do with small business lending. So I'm not sure if that was on the scorecard or do you have a separate scorecard for that? Can you share some information about your small business lending? Just so that we'll know whether or not you are doing small business l

Can we be just a little bit more specific? I understand commitment and I understand working on, but can we be more specific in terms of numbers? Can you just take the last year or maybe the last two years and focus in on the number of small business loans that you have have actually been executed?

So if we could share that with the entire body, that would be great. And if you could share that in terms of you can break it down by commission district. or you can break it down by address, but some ways that we can focus in on those demographics. And so let me go back up and say this. I'm not picking on you. No, you're fine. But you all have billions of dollars, right, Mr. Lee? And we've had a long relationship. Sure. And so what I'm looking for, I'm looking for a benefit for the community. If we're going to continue this partnership, I think it should be a win-win for both sides. Okay. Sur

I'm out of time. I'll get back in queue and we can come back. Okay. Thank you.

And just so it's clear for the team and new commissioners, because we are in transition, those that were a part of leading committees, I'm serving as ex officio for the committees until the new officers have been named, just so that it's clear for everyone. Okay. Commissioner Brooks, would you like to be recognized again?

Thank you. So, when we talk about friendly, consumer-friendly financial products, again, maybe no fee checking accounts in certain areas that we know have been historically poverty-stricken, those kinds of things. And then free checking accounts, low banking fees, just a benefit for the community as a whole, which, on the banking side, which would lower the taxes and increase... money for us. And then I just provide goodwill for the bank and then show that we have a two-way working partnership.

Consumer checking accounts for residents in Shelby County. Right. That's where you're located. Yes, ma'am. Okay. You have all of our money. Yes. Sure, absolutely. All of our accounts are deposited with your bank. So again, we go back, we have consumer checking accounts, looking at small business loans and incentives, particularly in Shelby County. And I'm focusing in on, I know you know how there's a struggle with small businesses here in Shelby County. So what are we doing, Regents, to number one, comply with CRA. Yes, ma'am. And then number two, just be a good partner.

That does, and I'm out of time, so maybe we can talk offline because I want to see how some of the other community benefits show up. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. I'd like to call the question.

Can we do that without objection? Seeing none, please prepare the screen for a vote. Please report the tally.

This item goes down with a favorable recommendation. Parliamentary in item two.

I have a motion by Commissioner Sugarman and a second by Commissioner O'Dell. Trustee Lee?

Seeing no commissioners in the queue, please prepare this. Commissioner Sugarman.

Thank you so much, Madam Chair. I just have a few questions again for Persing. I see the RFP and I was wondering if there were any non-responsive.

And I'll be asking you throughout this session, so stick around. Okay, thank you so much. Thank you, Madam Chair. Please prepare the screen for a vote.

This item goes down with a favorable recommendation. Parliamentarian, please read item three.

We have a pretty lengthy agenda with the interviews today, so if we could schedule that for part of our discussion at the next meeting.

I have a motion by Commissioner Sugarman, a second by Commissioner Hewitt-Garcia. We will need a motion to suspend the rule. So moved. I have a motion by Commissioner Sugarman. Second. A second by Commissioner O'Dell. Can we do that without objection? Okay. I think there's a substitute before us for this item. Parliamentarian?

Okay. Is there a motion to accept, well, is there, does the substitute meet the permit rules?

I'll make a motion to suspend the rules.

I have a motion by Commissioner Sugarman. Second. A second by Commissioner O'Dell. Can we do that without objection? Is there a way that we can have the marked-up coffee?

And you can email that to commissioners so they can see the change. Done without objection.

Commissioner O'Dell. Good morning, Chief Lindsay. Thank you. Do we need to push this to the heel of the meeting? No, we're good?

Seeing no other commissioners in the queue, please prepare the screen for a vote. Please report the vote.

That item goes down with a favorable recommendation. Parliamentarian, please read Item 4, which is an add-on.

I have a motion by Commissioner Sugarman, second by myself, Chair Avant. Dr. Hall, would you like to present on this item, please? Good morning, Commissioners.

Thank you, Dr. Hall. A lot to absorb for one week of work. Appreciate you taking the time to explain in detail. We do have commissioners in queue. Commissioner Sugarman.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And congratulations on your win, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Commissioner. And I'm excited about this Chick-fil-A service. Yes, ma'am. And so as you went through and saw all the antiquated systems and processes that we've seen, as well as commissioners who visit on a regular basis. address complaints. I think it's a breath of fresh air. I have a few questions. With the $6 billion that you're going to assess the process, the procedures, and look at the outcomes, I was just wondering also, are you going to look at the kiosk? Because a lot of people have been saying, we would

Claire Call. I stepped out of the room for a minute, so I'm not sure if we've already addressed this, but happy birthday. Oh, thank you.

Dr. Hall, thank you so much for your report today. Typically, I would object to an add-on, especially for $6.1 million. But what you are addressing is an emergency that this county has had for eight years. And I just want to make a couple observations. Your report was led with transparency, candor, passion. addressing a systemic issue that has really hurt our taxpayers. And as someone who recently bought a car, the frustration of having to go back and go back to the auto dealer because they weren't being processed. I'm very sad and disappointed to hear you're dealing with the amount of back is

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Dr. Hall. Happy birthday. Thank you. And I just, again, congratulations on the win. Again, appreciate your expedience to get in there and found out what we need to do to move the clerk's office forward. I know I spoke with you, and that's one of the things, just all what we have done, we've dealt with the last few years to talk about just that office in and of itself. I was just wondering, as a new clerk there, are you looking to do a financial audit of that office to see where you are?

Thank you. And I appreciate that. And just thinking about how we're moving forward with this, I know you made it pretty clear. I thank you for what you just addressed about where the dollars come from because the people out there, they hear $6 million and they know where we are in trying to make sure this cash flow is where we need to go. Could you just say again like the fees, where these dollars came from and how they just connected to your office and this is not money that can just come to the general fund. Absolutely.

Commissioner Clay Bibbs. Thank you, Madam Chair. Welcome, Dr. Hall. Thank you, Commissioner. I'm so excited to be able to see you in this role. I know the wealth of knowledge you bring to this role. My question today is, because it wasn't addressed, but I know that you're looking at all of the things. For me, it's also... We had a lot of chatter and fodder around locations and what your offices look like. So can you kind of walk us through what you're going to do regarding locations? Like, you know, there was a lot of back and forth around rent being paid, all of the things.

Thank you for that. In my last 20 seconds, just when you come back, when you mentioned staffing, that always was another question that we often had around what was the number of people who have been hired, what was the number of openings, and really paying attention to what's the hiring cycle around that. We'd love to. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and congratulations. I know everybody said it, but it's always good to hear that when You worked so hard to get to where you are. Thank you. And I remember on the campaign trail when we were talking about the importance of really dealing with the issues that we had before us. Yes. And to see that you're here today with a lot of those issues already being addressed and having a game plan that addresses those issues is truly exciting. And I know it gives the constituents really a lot of relief knowing they voted for the right person to be in this position in this season.

That's very refreshing. And, you know, like I said, I'm super excited to be working with you. And, yeah, happy birthday.

Thank you. Good morning. Welcome. My first comment is welcome and congratulations. Thank you. From the 11th floor, the 6th floor. Thank you. Looking forward to working with you. Everybody has praised you in the way that I'd like to praise you for this effort. I do have one specific question. Sure. In that audit, you mentioned consultants. and that controls piece, is it going to be, is part of that process, is there going to be an official audit and will you have any estimate of what recovered funds are, whether it's people who have delayed getting tags or maybe been charged something, maybe th

I appreciate that. And for you and the rest of the listening public, urgency is my love language. So thank you. Absolutely.

Dr. Hall, I think that's all of the commissioners in the queue. I want to echo what others have said, which is we're really excited that you are in the position because any of us who have been on this body, know well your body of work and that usually when people need something cleaned up, you're the person that they call. And so I'm glad that the citizens of Shelby County have realized what a jewel they'll have in you in this position. I think my one, if anyone has their microphone. if you could turn it off. Dr. Hall, just if you could share maybe even in the next 180-day plan because you hav

Thank you. Like Commissioner Dow, I'll patiently wait for my tag that's somewhere in that crate. for the car that I purchased also in June as I went to go get another drive-out tag the other day. So appreciate. I'm patiently waiting because I know it's going to get done. So we appreciate the diligence that you've taken in one week on the job to assess the needs of the county. So, Commissioner Caswell?

Yes, I would like to be added as a sponsor. Second.

I have a motion by Commissioner Caswell, a second by Commissioner Sugarman. Can I do that without objection? Seeing none, so moved. Please prepare the screen for a vote. Please report the vote.

This item goes down with a favorable recommendation. Thank you, Commissioners. Thank you. Commissioner Sugarman, if you'd like to call to order law enforcement.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I thought you were going to do all of them. We're sharing. Okay. Let's call and order the next committee, law enforcement.

Chair, may I have a moment of personal privilege? Yes, you may. Thank you. Good morning, everyone. Before we start our committee, I just wanted to remind everyone that this Friday, September 11th, we will take a few moments to remember the events of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center Towers 1 and 2, the Pentagon, and the heroes on board Flight 93. This is 25 years later. We should realize that anyone younger than about 26 or 27 years old don't get teary-eyed and get that feeling in the pit of your stomach. or have ever heard the unusual sound of no planes in the air. Many citizens

Thank you, Commissioner O'Dell. And I'm sure we can all remember where we were. I was in the classroom. I had 30-something kids looking at me and didn't know what to say. And so I'm sure all of us can remember where we were at that time. And so thank you, Commissioner, for remembrance, especially those that are locally but throughout who experienced individuals who have been impacted. And that is something that we shall never forget. Thank you. Okay, so again, I would like to call the order. Committee number four, law enforcement. Parliamentarian, please read number one into the record.

Thank you so much. And we have a comment card, but if you would like to speak before, state your name and position for the record. This item has been moved by myself and is seconded by Commissioner O'Dell. Would you like to speak first or would you like to wait after this comment card?

Okay, and we have Wheeler. Okay. Spickler? Two? Okay. Thank you so much. Okay. Thank you. Please state your name and position for the record, and you may begin.

Thank you. And we have Commissioner O'Dell in the queue. Commissioner.

Good morning. I would like to make a motion to amend this resolution as a scribbler's error. In the caption, we need to remove the words, the purchase of. We don't purchase individuals, so if we can just remove that error in our caption so that this can remain on the consent agenda if it's approved. Thank you.

And to the commissioners and the public, I would like to transparently disclose that I work for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office very proudly. I've been advised by the county attorney staff that it's okay for me to vote on this item. Thank you.

Thank you, and that was one of my questions, but I see Commissioner Richardson in the queue. Commissioner Richardson.

Thank you, Chairwoman. Will Richardson. I just wanted to ask the question about the actual cost. It's $117,000, and that's for two welders over 12 weeks, which roughly breaks down to about $2,400 a week in pay. Did we look at other avenues or... Was there a lower cost available in this matter, or how did we come up to the agreement of adherence to this amount?

I know we also have a maintenance team on staff. Is our maintenance team not equipped to do welding at all? And if not, then can we look further to getting those people in that building who are willing to be certified to do these jobs that may lower our costs as well?

So this person that's a welder on staff will be in conjunction with the other two welders to assist in this matter? Yes, sir. Okay.

Thank you, Commissioner. And that's a good point is to maybe we have, you know, tuition reimbursement available. I know the Sheriff's Department also looks at helping individuals with not only tuition but as well as trade. And maybe that's something that we can do, expand certification on our staff. As we go forward, as people know, we are in a situation where we have a tight budget. We have a lot of people on payroll. We're top heavy, so maybe that's something you all can consider going forward. Thank you, Commissioner, for pointing that out. Next, we have Commissioner Mills.

Good morning. I am Commissioner Mills. I am also an employee of the Sheriff's Office and have been authorized to vote on this for disclosure.

Thank you so much. And seeing no other Commissioners in the queue, let's take this item down for a vote. Can we have a tally?

Thank you. This item goes down with the recommendation. Parliamentarian, please read item number 2 into the record.

Thank you. And this item has been moved by myself and seconded by Commissioner Caswell. And juvenile court judge Tarek Sugarman is my brother. And I have been informed that I can and I will be voting on this item as well. We do have a speaker. Please state your name and position for the record and you may begin.

Before they begin, can I, Chairwoman Sugarman, I want to recuse myself on this item out of an abundance of caution. I feel like I should recuse myself. I am the executive director of the Alliance Foundation. While I do not work for Alliance Healthcare Services, and I have a separate board of directors, a separate 501c3, my work day-to-day is to raise money for people with mental health issues. I believe at some point, over the next couple of years, Alliance Healthcare Services may contract with this group potentially as they did with WellPath. So again, Chairman, out of abundance of caution, I

Thank you so much for that. Commissioner Caswell, would you like to speak before or after the speaker? Thank you so much. Okay. Thank you. Good morning. Please state your name and position for the record.

Thank you so much. I'm going to go to the appearance cards first. I have Wheeler, if you come before us and just state your name and zip code for the commission and you may begin.

Thank you so much, and thank you for the work that you do. Again, those same sentiments and concerns, I also have those same concerns as well, so thank you. Next up, we have an appearance card from Josh Spickler. Please state your name and zip code for the record.

Thank you so much. Commissioner Caswell?

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Josh, for sharing that as well. I have the pleasure of serving on the Justice Transition Team for Mayor Lowry to look at things like this in our systems. I know yesterday in our meeting we went deep into how do we correct some of these issues that's happening. Directly, if I may ask, I do have a couple of questions just thinking about First of all, is this for 201 Poplar as well or just the correction center?

Okay, and I know that we have had some of our constituents come throughout the year to talk about issues both in 201 Poplar and that jail. My other question is, when we look at the penalty form, could you tell me how many deaths we may have experienced in the last, I guess, three years thereof? and if they were connected to mental health issues that you may know of.

And so I also know that one of the concerns, and it is a very concern when we talk about the ratio, I think at 201 Poplar, I don't know if this is what you deal with at the Pentafolk, two is like one therapist to 1,400 ratio. Is that what we're looking at in this contract?

If you get that, I appreciate it. And I appreciate that it is being that that was something that was looked at in this matter. When you when we look at the ideal and I'm sorry to it, I couldn't pull my documents up for some reason, because I wanted to point out something that I thought I saw here. You might can help me that is stated that it was going to be a focus on small businesses. organizations to offer the therapies or therapy, not big, it wasn't something to the effect of a big organization. So I was focused on smaller organizations, which I'm okay with thinking about those small therap

Thank you, and I just got back in the queue.

Thank you. And so I just want to put this out before going to the next commissioner. I'm looking at concerns as far as the low number of individuals that responded to this RFP. And so the question is for, well, it's a directive, rather, to... I would like for you all to submit. We do have some non-responsives. And I would like, let's see, two non-responsives. If you could give me the reason why they're not responsive by Friday, this Friday, so I can look at that. And then I'm going to go to the commissioners in the queue. We have Commissioner Richardson.

Thank you, Chairwoman. Good morning. A couple of questions that I have as it relates to the overall contract is I know we spoke and I know Commissioner Caswell asked a question about how many people you have on staff to facilitate these services, but we did not get the answer that was actually asked, which is what are the required physician, nursing, behavioral, and dental staffing ratios per inmate that we have in our facility currently. And I'm hoping that you do have that information.

What is the required ratio for physician, nurses, behavioral and dental staffing for our inmates? Now, I don't know.

But I know, because I'm in health care, and so I know there's a set ratio that has to be met, and I need to know what that number is, and making sure that we're following protocol with that and seeing if we need to change that ratio based upon the actual events that are occurring in our jail and the response times that's required to get those people in need of help.

Okay. Who audits the deaths and the serious injuries and hospital transfers, and do we have access to that information?

Thank you. I'm out of time, but I'd like to have a report or some kind of relationship where we can have communication on what those findings are.

Thank you. And also make sure that you send it to all the commissioners as well. Commissioner Caswell?

Thank you so much. And Commissioner Castle, I'm going to go on to the other speakers first and then come back to you since you've already spoken once. Commissioner Garcia, the other floor.

Thank you. I have a very long list of questions, but something that was just stated honestly surprised me, that there is no ratio. When we think about health care professionals or mental health professionals for children, that every state has that, right? We know it's hard to staff. There's a lack of humanity and no ratio is that we do not care how many people you have to serve. I know we are all operating under fiscal constraints, but that was actually shocking to me. Have you looked at what other counties maybe similar to Shelby have done in terms of staffing or low number of mishandled case

I appreciate that. I'm trying to pick up my next best question. A comment similar to Commissioner Sugarman. You sent this to 110 vendors and you had two responses with four We did not respond. That is, was there a cap on our contract limit? What do you think the reason for that was with the direct solicitation to 110 vendors?

Do you have any concept of what the average contract similar to this is for counties? What do other counties typically pay for these services that are doing well? I think I'm going back to like, do we understand what we really need to spend in order to deliver high quality care? And is this part of it? I don't know if there was a threshold in the RFP in terms of finance or...

I know I'm out of time, so I'll get back to you.

Yes, good morning. Ms. Palmer, I've got a quick question for you. So I don't know if, because I'm not an expert in this field at all, So is there a difference between intake for 201 and intake for the corrections? And I'm specifically asking because I believe there's a federal law or a state law that says how soon after an inmate is taken into intake that they receive a full physical. Is there a time frame on that?

You're welcome. So for the public, when their inmates come in, they are addressed by a doctor for these, and these are very, in-depth physicals from what I understand. The intermediate care step-down, that is a great idea. I don't know who came up with that. And the sheriff's office is on board for the 201 side. That is fabulous. I love it. Telehealth, I love it. Is there a way to track the telehealth to see how many are requested, how many are fulfilled, how many are handled over telehealth versus actually have to go physically in with a doctor?

Wonderful. That's fabulous. That will be really, really good for transparency with our public. So I like that. My only other question is... The, the contract is going through the, the mayor's administration. How does the Wexford contract deal with the sheriff's office in that they're not the oversight for, or, or are they, or how does that work? Because if the sheriff doesn't have authority to direct them to do whatever, how does that work?

Thank you so much. And this question is for the entire team. Was there any consideration given to kind of sectioning out this contract like for making it different for juveniles and for adults or taking out the behavioral health part in order to attract more qualified bidders in this process?

Can you further explain why you believe that, that only one, having one supplier would make it better?

Is there any chance that you may consider that in the future or even for this contract since there was such a small number of qualified bidders? Yes. Thank you so much. I appreciate you.

Thank you so much. And this is the second round for these commissioners. Commissioner Caswell.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I appreciate the questions asked by my colleague because that answers some of the questions that I had kind of going forward. I was just wondering why no one from Wexford Health was here today to speak.

Monday, okay. And so when we look at, Director, some of the things that we had that happened over the past few years that bring up a lot of concern about what happened with WellPath, have we taken that into consideration? How do we correct? It's been said, again, to my colleague, Commissioner Richardson, about the audit. Have we seen where those mistakes were made? How can we correct it? Do this new company have that vision in place going forward?

I appreciate that. I appreciate this last body commission that pushed forward with the Mental Health Justice Center that's getting built out there. And I'm hoping that that would help mitigate a lot of this as well as we make sure these individuals get the full care that they need because many of them, as you said, don't deserve to be in there. They need to be getting the help that they need. With that being said, I was just wondering around the protocol when it comes to providing a medicine to those individuals who just coming into the system. They got diabetes, they got, because I know, and

Okay, and I'm going to get these two in so I won't have to get back in. Just one, Director, when it comes to all of your officers, are they trained in CIT, the deal addressed that you know what I'm talking about, the CIT training, one. And two, especially around our youth that's at the educational center, are your officers there trained in adverse childhood experience and understanding that level of trauma that many of these children are coming into that system with and how are we addressing those issues?

Thank you, Commissioner. And Commissioner Clayton has not spoken yet, so I'm going to let her go first.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Good morning. I want to talk the numbers and sense of this. I think this may be a question for Sean Baum or maybe Mr. Collins, because I think we talked about this. as we closed out last fiscal year around the main difference of cost and what do we have as a line item moving into this year's budget and what are we paying for as the difference. I do recognize that this is significantly more, but I just want to make sure and then back to Director Alexander about what's the difference of what we're paying for. I know there's kind of a loaded question, but I am asking becau

Okay. That does answer my question. I wanted to be on record regarding that, though. I think, you know, coming here today, I heard the number mentioned quite often on the news as to this is what we're going to be talking about. But sometimes that can be sensationalized without understanding as to why things cost more than what they used to cost. So I wanted to be very clear that we put that on the record. as well as if there are some things that we are getting different. Sounds like we are, but I want us to be very clear to the listening public, as well as to my brand-new colleagues here aroun

Thank you. And I see Chair Avens in the queue, so she has not had an opportunity to speak, so I'll allow her to speak first. Chief Collins, I'm sorry.

I wasn't quick enough on the draw before you had to switch seats. I just want to piggyback on a very important point that my colleague Commissioner Clay Bibbs was making about where we are as a budget line item. We have a balanced budget. That balanced budget unfortunately included a tax increase this past year in order for us to balance that budget. And now we're talking about an additional 10 million possibly annually for the inmate contract. And so I just think it's really important for us all to understand where we are as a county, the fiscal responsibility that we have, and that as we're

Thank you. And so on that note, Chief Collins, I would just like to say that we would also like an update on the mental health facility, number one. And then also, Chief Alexander, I'm going to send you a list of questions, and I'm going to copy all of my colleagues so that you can address, because we're looking at the expense side, but the revenue side has not even addressed about what we're getting per federal inmate, et cetera, prisoner, et cetera. And so I have a list of questions. If you could get that back to us prior to Monday's meeting, like Friday, that would be very helpful because t

Good morning, Director Alexander. Looking at this contract, Well, Pat, if you can refresh the memory here, was it a three-year contract that we had prior to this?

Okay. I'm glad we have the option here. I know time is of the essence with the October 1st deadline on having medical care. I do hope, and if you can tell this body, Director Alexander, I know you're going to constantly reevaluate this, and I'm sure if we're going to change this in the future, you'll have several reasons why And we can plan on that earlier than having such a tight crunch right here to make a decision. I'm sure your staff is going to be on top of this because this is a huge issue for Shelby County. Thank you.

Thank you. Commissioner Richardson, this is your second time in the queue.

Thank you, Chairwoman. I just wanted to address a few things further before we make a decision on this, because this is something that is impacting so many lives, and so I want to make sure that I'm confident in the vote that I'm going to give. I know in 2023, MediCo also did a bid for $36 million, which was $8 million higher than WellPath, but we turned it down, even though they had the highest score. And now here we are looking at Wexforth, for 37 million, which is a million more than the current bid from Medeco. I also know that WellPAP is willing to stay and assist until we get this thing

Thank you for that. I guess that answers my question on how we need to move or how I'm going to move, rather. Thank you.

Thank you. And so I'm going to go to Commissioner Brooks. This is her first time speaking.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Director Alexander, I have a couple of concerns. And I appreciate my colleague, Commissioner Streeter, and her mentioning the bifurcation, particularly about mental health. But this last round of questioning really, you know, just kind of has me a little concerned. Well, just a lot of concern. The fact that we are moving fast on this, and I know it's not fast in that we have a contract that's about to close out. But we have an issue here that is very important. I mean, this is an important issue. And I'm thinking back now to, you know, back in the old days, there was a

A point of order, no, point of information to the county attorney through the chair. Megan Smith, could you help us out? Attorney Smith, I'm just wondering, I'm not sure, I'm just wondering, since we have a situation here where we already come in with a load of conditions, a load of things that need to be taken care of, is there a provision that we could exercise that would allow us in this existing contract with WellPan to put them on an interim for a certain period of time? Well, for an indefinite period of time.

Because the vendor does not want to participate anymore. That's correct. So in that same space, in that same space, is there an opportunity because of that from the procurement side and the legal side to have another vendor, healthcare vendor serve until we can resolve this on a permanent basis?

Okay, just to the attorney. Madam Chair, if you would indulge me, I didn't get an answer. I'm asking the attorney for legality. So would we be in violation of the contract if we went to another attorney healthcare vendor since a wealth path is not willing to participate. I'm trying to find an opportunity for us to continue to provide inmate healthcare and then, of course, give us an opportunity to do a better, put out a better RFP.

Thank you. Chief Collins, do you have a comment? And I have a question before you make that comment, okay? So along the lines of Commissioner Brooks, is there an opportunity for us, since there's a one-year renewal at that point in time, or prior to that point in time, Can we, number one, can we either delete, just have one-year renewal, or can we reassess at that time and maybe put it back out for bid? Is there any other opportunity if we go forward with this contract to, number one, to determine whether or not we want to keep this vendor, or, number two, just to put this out to bid after a y

Thank you. And so, Chief Alexander, I would just like to request on record that after, if it's voted out, this contract for a year, if you could give us a quarterly report on your findings, and therefore we won't be in a situation like we are today, if this body decides to go and solicit other vendors, if you could just give us a quarterly report on your findings, that would be much appreciated to all the commissioners, not just the mayor. I appreciate that.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you. I'm going on to the commissioners. This is your second time as well. Commissioner Hewitt-Garcia, you have the floor.

Thank you. I've heard a lot of comments about us pausing this and rebidding it. I'm very clear that we need to vote on what is before us. If we do not have health care services for inmates starting October 1st, that will be catastrophic, that is. Coming from a previous body of not approving even a cleaning contract for 200 buildings. We went without cleaning services, which are health and safety related, but not as high as stakes of this. It devolved pretty quickly. And you're talking about taking trash out and cleaning up buildings without medical care. It's not an option. We have to negotiat

How does that compare to what we've done?

I just want to look at... That I would like, that is what I want to see as well because then I think we need to, we need some flexibility to adjust. What is the, I want to disincentivize bad behavior and if they're going to stand up to the quality of care, they should not worry about this, right? That having backup protocols in place because that is what we can hold them accountable to. So that will be where my questions center is. As we were for but it is very clear to me that we need to get this in place.

Thank you Thank you and Commissioner Mills. It's your second time as well. I

Yes. Thank you, chairman. Let me make this recommendation to all the County people who are involved in this process going forward in the future. You've heard from our body, you've heard from our audience. What we have here is several different facilities. You've got two Oh one poplar, which is people with 2,800 inmates fresh off the streets. It's a whole different kind of medical care. You've got your facility where it's more veteran seasoned inmates that have been in the system for years. It's a little different. And then you have the juvenile facility dealing with our youth. So maybe instead

Thank you so much. Okay, let's take this item down for vote. Okay, we have a tally, please.

Thank you. This item goes down to a fair recommendation. Thank you all. Thank you, Commissioners. Thank you. And I see no add-ons, so this concludes committee number four.

All right, I'd like to call to order committee number five. Again, I'll serve as acting since the previous chairs of this committee are no longer on the commission. And as we go through our transition, Commissioner Caswell will do committee eight. Chair of Core City Neighborhoods and Housing, which is Commissioner Brooks, will take care of committee 11 and committee 10. just for clarification. So I'm calling to order Committee 5, Land Use Planning Training Transportation and Codes.

Is there a motion? Motion by Commissioner O'Dell, a second by Commissioner Mills. Is there a presentation?

This is the preliminary site plan that was submitted by the applicant.

Thank you. A couple of questions before we go to other commissioners in the queue. This is in my district. And one of the concerns that I have is the number of hotels that we are allowing to pop up in these areas. and how constituents were notified. I know that there is in the code a certain mile radius where we need to inform residents because so much of that is industrial and you have other what is zoned employment and other hotels, my fear is that we did not give enough notice to people who actually live in the approximate area to where you're now wanting to put an additional hotel. We've s

So let me give you some pushback. If I don't know that there's a listserv to sign up for in order to get notification, how would I get notification?

Okay, so I'm going to tell you that that is insufficient. It is obviously by the Unified Development Code that provides a very basic level of what we should be informing our citizens about. So my question is, how can this particular case and you all as an office go back to go a little bit beyond what's the basic requirements? in order for us to be able to provide notification for people who would be directly impacted by this development being pushed forward.

Okay, so I'll follow up with Mr. Ragsdale because obviously, you know, we did some modifications to Unified Development Code, but what I'm telling you is if the people who are living in these communities are not getting the notification, then obviously we're not doing everything that we need to do. Commissioner Bellingsley?

Thank you, Chairwoman, and I appreciate the Chairwoman's comments. Many of the new commissioners just attended a CTAS meeting to try to do our very, very best and do our due diligence. One of the things they talked about at CTAS is social media is not an adequate form of informing the general public. I find Nextdoor to be pretty hit and miss and so little participation. I, if, if it requires a revisit of the code but we've been appropriately notifying people for many, many years in a good way. So I don't know where this fell off. I also can only speak for myself, but I, I give tremendous defer

You know, I think what we're doing, and I will speak to this, we're substituting, if you will, a commission meeting, which is a public meeting, but it's not a meeting regarding the development, a particular development by four and four impacted the impacted community. So that's what we need to focus on. And I will speak to that. This is a committee public meeting, so you can present to the County commission. And if there are some residents who are impacted by that particular development just happened to be off or not working and show up that day or morning. finding good. However, our rules spe

Okay. And you can look at our rules. I don't have the rule, but I'll give it to you before you leave. That says makes a distinction between kind of commission meeting and public community meeting.

Colleagues, I'd like to make a motion for deferral of this matter to the second committee meeting in October. Second. I have a second. I have a motion by myself, a second by Commissioner Billingsley. Can we do that without objection? This is based on the permanent rule. Because this is a land use control, we do have, if there is no objection from the body, an opportunity to defer this issue, and so I'd like to work with the staff based on that. Appreciate your support. I'd like to adjourn. It was a second by Commissioner Billingsley. The second meeting in October. The calendar hasn't been set,

Madam Chairman, can I ask you for a point of privilege? Mm-hmm. And I understand why we're behind today, especially with the lengthy health care discussion. Today, Madam Chairman, as you know, under general government, we've got quite a few attorneys in front of us that actually have to go to court today. They were set to start at 10 o'clock. Is there any way you'd consider moving up general government and going to item number three, just so some of our candidates... can be heard by this body without having to leave, without being heard. I just ask that for your kind consideration. Thank you,

Yes, so I'm going to, before we get to that, I'm going to adjourn our current committee, which is we're now adjourning Committee 5, which is Land Use Planning Transportation Codes. I'm happy to defer to Chair of General Government to see if she would like so obliged.

Yes, ma'am. I'll make a motion to move up general government for item number three. Second.

Okay. Can we do that without objection? So moved. All right. We will now call to order committee 10, general government. Madam Parliamentarian, please read the first item. Oh, excuse me. Yeah, I like things in order. We will move to item number three to accommodate any attorneys that may be in the office and the audience that may need to run to court. Madam Parliamentarian, would you please read item number three?

Thank you, Madam Parliamentarian. Let's see. This item has been moved by Commissioner Sugarman, seconded by Commissioner Billison. We have it properly before us. Let's call the first candidate. Our first candidate will be Attorney James Blunt. Attorney Blunt. Good morning. If you'll give us your name, did you press that button on your mic so that we can hear you?

That's wonderful. Give us your name and a zip code, please.

Second, Madam Clerk, how much time does he have? You set the clock, three minutes? Okay. Thank you.

Ms. Boulogne, you really had me going when you said you were an attorney with school board. I'm a former teacher, retired teacher, but my heart's still there. You said that you enjoyed it, okay, and you thought that you would need it, and I'm just, whoa, whoa, whoa, I'm your cheerleader. So, but... Now you say you think you want to do this position. Would you like to go ahead and try to see if you're needed here? And I'm trying to align the two.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And my question would be to each and every one of the candidates. Again, I appreciate everyone that applied for this position and every one of you all were very well qualified in your roles and capacity that you have brought to the table. And you pretty much answered in your response. But my question would be to everyone, why this position and why now? And I know you just shared in part because you would love to be a judge and And if you was to choose anything else, it would be going there. But that would be my question just going forward. Why this position and why now?

Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Commissioner Aban.

Yes. This will just be a question for each of the applicants in just your experience. You mentioned a little bit about your experience specifically with this particular court, and if you could just elaborate on that. That's for every applicant so that I don't have to repeat myself. You can just know that that should be a part of either what you share in your opening remarks but really specifically the kind of trial experience and or experience you have for this particular division.

And are there any specific improvements that you think would be helpful?

Commissioner O'Dell. Good morning, if it still is morning, yes. Attorney Blunt. All right. I'm going to take this a little lighthearted. I love the questions that they have asked you, and they are all very appropriate, but I've got one for you. If you could wave a magic wand in the state of Tennessee and change or create any criminal or civil law, what would it be?

All right, one more question. If you could choose one song to play every time you walk in a room, what would you choose?

Just the courtroom. We'll stick with the courtroom.

Thank you. Thank you for your willingness to serve. Thank you.

Okay, thank you. Mr. Guansi and all the members in the queue, would you like to take a minute to give a wrap-up?

Thank you so much. Thank you. Our next candidate is Attorney John Cameron. Attorney Cameron, come forward, please. Good morning. Good morning. Would you press the button so that your microphone is on?

Madam Chair, if he could just cut the other mic off next to him.

How about now? Okay, I'm on. If you could give us your name and then a zip code for the record, please.

Okay. Mr. Cameron, Commissioner, are you banned? Thank you for that.

Thank you, Mr. Cameron, for sharing. Thank you for offering yourself up for public service, not an easy feat. And you shared a lot about really building momentum and really running for these positions. But if you could share more specificity, just your experience with civil law enforcement.

Okay, thank you for that. Commissioner O'Dell. Good morning.

Good morning. Attorney Cameron. Before I forget, thank you for your willingness to serve. And I love your last comment. Okay. So here's your question. Because of your work in environmental court and your yappy hour animal law class with Memphis PD, if you had a magic wand, what law would you change or create to help animal control in Shelby County and or Memphis?

Yes, I understand that. All right. One last question. Cause we got to keep it cool around here. If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?

All right. O'Connor? Is that the right name? I'm sorry, Mr. Cameron. Attorney Cameron. Yes, ma'am. Seeing there are other members in the queue, would you like to take a minute and give you a wrap-up?

Our next candidate is, I hope I get your name right, Davinus Foster? Attorney Davinus Foster? Is that correct? Oh, good. Good morning. Good morning. I think it's morning. Is the other microphone off over there? It's off. It's off. Okay. If you'll give us your name and a zip code for the record, please.

Attorney Foster, I've got to get this right. Seeing no other members in the queue. Yes, we do. Commissioner O'Dell, you're recognized.

Good morning, Attorney Foster. Thank you so much for your willingness to serve, and I love your passion and your character. And I believe me and you have telepathy. Wait for my question because it's bizarre that you said what you said. Okay. What did you do for Memphis City Schools, and how will that experience help you in this position?

Okay, last question. I'm sorry. This is where I think we have telepathy. If I gave you $50,000 right now to start up a nonprofit, who or what would you do to help? What direction would that nonprofit go in?

Well, thank you, Attorney Foster. Would you like to take a minute and give you a wrap-up?

Okay, our next candidate is Attorney Marcy Ingram. Attorney Ingram.

If you'll give us your name and a zip code, please.

I'm trying to get out of here. Commissioner O'Dell, you're recognized.

Attorney Ingram. Good to see you again. Good to see you as well. And thank you for your service to this body for so many years. We really did appreciate that. Okay. So while you've been a judge, you have heard 12,894 cases. What change would you make to hear even more? Well

Okay, next question. What actor would play you in a movie about your life?

Thank you. Thank you for offering your service. My pleasure.

Judge Ingram, just one question. I was reading an article the other day about civil court and it was made some interesting observations. And so I think I will ask you this question. Having served in General Sessions Civil Court, you have gotten that experience. You have got 12,000 cases, case experiences. Tell me, what would you recommend as new partnerships, changes, and advice for nonprofits that work with individuals, Shelby County residents, taxpayers that come before you with these civil court issues?

Okay. Any further? Seeing no other members in the court, would you take a few minutes and give us your thoughts? Final remarks, please. Yes, ma'am.

Thank you. All right. Our next candidate is Attorney William Larcher. Ms. Attorney Larcher. All right. All right.

Thank you. Thank you, Attorney LaCher. I'll tell you what, I like a person who has that really, really strong self-confidence, and you exude that.

I'm impressed by the length of experience, the amount of experience. Thank you for all your service. I guess my question is with the amount of time that you've been doing this work, what perspective on what community members are facing that come before this court? has changed the most? Is there any point of view that has changed from doing this work most dramatically over the last few decades for you?

Commissioner O'Dell. Attorney Larsha, thank you so much for your service. I, like Commissioner Hewitt-Garcia, am impressed with your resume. I do have a question for you. Your experience with the Fourth Amendment, what do you think our founding fathers would think about the technology and the Fourth Amendment?

Okay. What type of music do you listen to or podcast or books while driving to work?

Well, I do thank you for your willingness to serve and for what you've done in the past. Thank you so much.

All right. Thank you, Commissioner O'Dell. Mr. Lachey, would you like to take a minute and give you a wrap-up?

Okay. Thank you, Attorney Larcher. Our next candidate. is Attorney Aurelia McBride.

All right. You have three minutes. Thank you.

Commissioner O'Dell. Thank you, Chairwoman. Okay. Thank you, Attorney McBride, so much for your willingness to serve. Your resume is impeccable. With your experience with the Tennessee Department of Children's Services, if you had a magic wand and you could create a program to help children, what would it be?

Attorney McBride, that is my passion and my heart. Not a lot of people know this, but my grandparents were killed on a trip to Florida, and I was in the vehicle. I was actually placed in foster care for a couple of days until my family could get to us. So thank you for that, and thank you for what you've done for the children. Okay, now let's have fun. If you had to pick one song that describes your family, what would it be and why?

Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Ma'am, you have a very interesting career from foster care to Homeland Security, charter school, so very interesting.

Well, thank you so much. Thank you. Attorney? Thank you. Thank you very much. And our next candidate is attorney Mitzi Pollard.

Okay, so if you'll give us, you just said it. Okay, three minutes, please.

Thank you, Attorney Pollard. Commissioner O'Dell.

Okay, your service within the juvenile court. What, if anything, frustrates you about the juvenile court and why?

Oh, I'm so glad to hear about that. Thank you for sharing that with us. Okay. Your family's business is A&R Barbecue. It is. Give us a quick commercial. Oh, boy.

There you go. Good job. Thank you so much for your willingness to serve us. Thank you.

Thank you. Commissioner Garcia. Hugh Garcia.

Thank you. I'm very impressed with the range of experience that you have and similar to your background of working with youth and juveniles and knowing families. Is there anything within Shelby County, you have decision makers in front of you, what sort of supports or community need have you seen increase over time that is impacting the courts? What do you think the most significant challenges in our community that is not improving that you would give us advice on?

Thank you, Chair. Just a quick question. I know you ran recently. And, of course, you'll have to run if you're appointed in the next two years and then another. What did you learn from the campaign trail that's going to give you the opportunity to get over the hump if you're appointed?

Well, I'm glad to see that you want to continue to fight for it. Yes.

All right. Thank you, Commissioner Richardson. Attorney Parler, would you like to take a minute and wrap up? All right.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Push for Pollard. There you go. Our next candidate is Attorney Steven Townsend. Did I get that right? Townsend, yes. Townsend, okay. Come on up. Thank you, Commissioner. You're welcome.

Commissioner O'Dell. Thank you, Chairwoman. First of all, thank you for being an adoptive parent. We need so many more of them. Thank you so much. Touches my heart. Can you, Attorney Townsend, briefly tell us about one case you argued before the Tennessee Court of Appeals?

Thank you. Thank you. All right. What would your title of your autobiography be?

Thank you so much for your willingness to serve and how you've already served. Thank you.

Mr. Townsend, would you like to take a minute and wrap up?

Oh, I didn't see. I apologize. Just one second. I didn't see Commissioner Garcia. You're Garcia in queue.

Thank you. And thank you very much for being here and for submitting your name. I'm sorry, my voice. And submitting your name for consideration here. And the varying experience that you have is what strikes me the most. When you think about your... You talked a lot about your values sort of compartmentalize how you think about everything and who you are shows up. What is the... From all of the places that you've... served, what would you recommend to county commissioners in supporting our community in terms of resources that would impact this court?

Mr. Townsend, would you like to take a minute and wrap up?

Thank you. And we have one more candidate. Our candidate is attorney Martin Zuma. Let me know if I got that right.

Good afternoon, I think. Good afternoon. If you'll give us your name and a zip code, please.

Thank you. We do have two commissioners in the queue. We'll start with Commissioner O'Dell.

Yes, I know. It's tricky that way. First, thank you for your service with the Army. Thank you very much. Okay. Please tell us your American Jurisprudence Award. What is that and how did you get that?

Okay. What is your favorite sports team?

Well, thank you. Thank you so much for your service and willingness to serve in this position.

Thank you. Thank you. Commissioner Billingsley?

Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you so much, Commissioner Brooks, Madam Chairman. I appreciate you, Mr. Zuma, sharing that you will not seek re-election if you were to be appointed to this. I think the power of incumbency is significant. As many of us know, it's hard to beat an incumbent. Also, your reputation does precede you. And I've been in this community for 59 years. and have never heard an unkind word, an unprofessional word about you, and similar to some other candidates today. Also, thank you for your service, and thank you for your 23 years of service to the military. As a lieutenant colonel an

All right, Ben. Thank you so much. Now, Mr. Zuma, would you like to take a minute and give us your wrap-up?

Thank you so much. And that will conclude item number three on general government.

Yes, sir, you may. Thank you. Thank you so much. Do we need to recess and go back to the community services? Okay. What we'll do is send this item, I'll move to send this item down without recommendation. Second.

So Madam Parliamentarian, would you... Well, the chair, what's the wish of the chair to go back to community service or would you like to continue?

Madam chair, I don't think the other items are going to take very long. Okay. If you'd like to finish up general government.

All right. Madam parliamentarian, please read item one.

Thank you. That item has been moved by Commissioner Richardson and seconded by Commissioner Caswell. Do we have a report from the County Attorney's Office?

Thank you so much. Seeing that we have no members in the queue, can we do that? I'm sorry, did I move this? I record that's the mover and the second.

Madam Clerk, would you please prepare the screen for our votes? Every member cast your vote. Madam Clark, may we have a tally?

Thank you, Madam Clerk. That item goes down with a favorable recommendation. Madam Parliamentarian, item number two, please.

Thank you, Madam Parliamentarian. That item is properly before us. It was moved by Commissioner Billingsley and second by Commissioner Richardson.

Madam Clerk, please prepare the screen. Every member cast your vote. Any member desiring to change your vote Madam Clerk, may we have a tally?

That item goes down with a favorable recommendation. Madam Parliamentarian, item number four, please.

Thank you. This item has been moved by Commissioner Avant and seconded by Commissioner Caswell.

Commissioner O'Dell. Chair, what is the current salary for the chair?

So I think the commissioner's salary is $34,804, and the chair's salary is usually $1,000 more than that. Thank you. Thank you. I think it was $34,804.08, something like that. But we'll get the staff to email the exact amount.

Okay, I'm going to ask the county attorney. Oh, I'm sorry, Commissioner Bell is on.

I just asked a county attorney about what those salary levels are. Can we go ahead and proceed and just get what regular commissioners currently make and what the current chair currently makes?

Okay, do we need to move this to the Hill in order to get information from Mr. Perry? Okay, let's move this to the Hill while we're waiting for Mr. Perry. Let's see, we're on four.

And that item has been moved by Commissioner O'Dell and second by Commissioner Richardson. Commissioner O'Dell.

I'd like to make a motion to move this down to commission without a recommendation.

Second. It's been moved and properly seconded at this item. Second. Commissioner Caswell, I'm sorry. I always get those names. Moved by Commissioner O'Dell and seconded by Commissioner Caswell that this item will go downstairs without a recommendation. Can we do that without objection? So moved. Item number six.

Thank you. This item has been moved by Commissioner Sugarman and seconded by Commissioner O'Dell. Commissioner Avant.

I'd like to make a motion to move down without recommendation.

Second. Commissioner Avan has moved and Commissioner Caswell has seconded the motion to move this item number six to downstairs without recommendation. Can we do that without objection? So moved. Thank you. All right. We're moving this right along here. And Mr. Peer is not here. We already have one attorney back there looking for him.

We're going to lose all of our attorneys looking for him.

Well, let's see. It would appear, and I'm not an attorney and I don't play one on TV, but it seems to me that we could get an answer from the attorney, the county attorney, in reference to Commissioner Billersley's question.

I'll tell you what we'll do because since we do not have information if Mr. Perry is in the building. Thank you. Commissioner Billings, if you would be willing to restate your question for Mr. Perry.

Thank you so much. Hey, Mr. Perry. What is the current salary of Shelby County Commissioners, and what is the current salary for the chairperson?

So it's a $2,000 variance. Yes. Okay. That's what I thought. All right. I just wanted to be sure we knew what we were voting on. Yes, sir.

Okay. Thank you for that. Thank you, Ms. Perry and Commissioner Billson. I have a question in reference to this item. I received this. I was here late last night. However. Oh, yeah. Do you want me? Thank you, Madam Clerk, for advising me. We will move this back. We'll go back to item number four, resolution to approve setting the salary. Are there any? Commissioner Avant? Are you in the queue for that? Okay. Who is the motion? All right. Item number four. was moved by Commissioner Avon and second by Commissioner Caswell. Are there any members wishing to speak on item number four? Seeing no mem

Right now the way I understand the rules and if you'll stay at the mic, maybe you can help me educate me about that because The rules state that whenever an agenda is first published subsequent publications Would make any item an add-on and would have to be labeled as such I can go to the rule if you want to wait a few minutes and

No, I'm speaking about the 446 public republication of this agenda to add four new items.

Okay. Right, and the rules require that it be not on this item, not on this agenda, which is the first meeting of the county commission. However, my question is, according to the rules, if it is republished. So I'm just trying to understand, do we need to change the rule, amend the rule, or delete the rule? Because you're talking precedence, and I'm talking the existing rule. as of March 2026. That's all I, I just need to know what we need to do.

Well, I just want to be clear, and I appreciate that, Madam Parliamentarian. Thank you. Because we have new members, and I know new members have not read these rules yet. In fact, I have to go back ever so often and look at them myself. So I just want to make sure that we're clear and that there's no conflict between what we're seeing as precedent and then rules. But your example in terms of having these rules on the agenda, it says it should be on the first meeting of the county commission agenda or soon thereafter. So you got an option. But you do not have an option if you read the rules reg

Thank you for that. Thank you so much, Chairman Brooks. In this document, we are to fill in the blank. It says beginning September 14th, 2026 to August 31st, 2027 to be hereby and set at a blank amount. So I know I asked the question about what is the current salary now someone needs to fill in the blank about what that amount is going to be, if it's going to stay the same or whatever it's going to be. But someone needs to make a motion to make what that amount is because we have a blank in there.

Okay. I'm going to defer to the parliamentarians to find out if we need to fill that in now or would that be done on Monday?

Parliamentarian, there's a blank in the caption. We're supposed to fill it in. On number four? We are in number four. I don't see a blank. If you pull up the document, second page, it says Chairman of Shelby County Commission for 2026-27, the term beginning on September 14, 2026 to August 31st, be and is hereby approved and set at dollar sign blank, blank, blank, period, period. Okay. Commissioner Brooks has said, is that an amount we put in on Monday, or should we...

Okay. Commissioner Billingsley, did you get your answer? If you did...

I think we're just filling the blank. We can. Or we can wait until Monday. I want to be sure that we know that there's a blank. And to your point, maybe, respectfully, to your point, Commissioner Brooks, for transparency, maybe it's good that we go ahead and set it today. That way the public knows what it is.

Motion to go ahead and fill in that blank today.

Second. It's been moved by Commissioner Richardson and second by Commissioner Sugarman to set the salary $2,000 today.

Madam Chair, if we could have the CAO just give the amount if the body is wanting to keep the amount the same as in past years. So what was the amount?

I don't believe we're saying the same as past years. We want to know what the increase is so we can have that.

Well, we're saying the same thing. Yes. $36,900.24. $24,900.

Mr. Perry, I'm not questioning you. Commissioner Bell, you recognize. I'm sorry. You recognize. I'm so sorry, Chair Wolf. I'm out of practice. So sorry, Clay, to ask this. The only reason it looks like it came up recently is we all just had to sign employment agreements, and I swear commissioners make like $34,999 in some odd sense. Is that correct or not correct? Okay. Okay. Okay, thank you so much.

Okay, so the $2,000 is the amount that will go in the blank.

Madam Chair, point of information, I know.

Commissioner Billings, I'm sorry, Commissioner Bibbs.

C.L. Perry just did make a statement, but unfortunately your microphone was not on. And if you can, please, for the record, repeat that because the microphone was not on. And I want Madam Palminterian to be able to get the numbers exactly how she needs them. in order for this to happen?

And again, what is the commissioner's salary so we can subtract?

All right, so Commissioner Bill, did you get your $2,000.16?

What was the question, Madam Chairman? I don't even know who's on first or second at this point.

I think the game's over. Okay. No, we were at the point of filling in the blank here, and we wanted to get, according to Commissioner Bibb's question, the exact amount for the parliamentarian. Okay. So, Commissioner O'Dell, are you in the queue for this item? Okay. You're recognized.

Thank you, Chair. Not to belabor what you brought up regarding the add-on on this item, but I do want to state we really need to amend and clarify in our permanent rules exactly how this happens because I, like you, did not realize that this was on the agenda. And I know that citizens didn't know. As a matter of fact, you can go back even further. I tried to find the agenda through Granicus, which is how the citizens would find it. It didn't pop up until, what's today? It popped up yesterday. So they were not even able to see everything that was on there before that we were able to see. So thi

Right. And again, with new members, we need to do it as soon as possible because we have a meeting on Monday and then we have a meeting on the 23rd. So we could do a committee as a whole to fix this, but it definitely has to be taken care of. Commissioner Avant. Thank you. Are you in the queue for this item, Commissioner Avent?

So just, I want to make sure that I give some clarification to new commissioners and to the body as a whole. There were, if you look at our permanent rules, the voting of the chair is to happen on the first meeting, commission meeting of the new elected body. In past years, and we went back to 2022, we went back to 2018, this was not on committee, but in order to be able to provide a opportunity for folks to see this is why we republished the agenda with this item. It didn't have to be on this committee, but it did need to be on Monday's meeting. In order to provide clarity for new members, we

Thank you, Madam Chair. And on the topic of the rules, And I just want to make sure that the rules have been updated. So, Parliamentarian, for the orientation on Saturday, has anybody gone through to make sure that they've been updated? To show everything that we have changed through the last term or last...

Okay, not just that particular one, but there are other rules that we passed.

Okay, so I want to make sure, because I've got several I could not find, to make sure that they're in the rules so that when everybody gets it on Saturday, they'll be up to date. For example, the zip code one, the scorecards one, and then there's some others that I was looking for and I did not see them. Yes. There's several. I'll send them to you.

The rules are important. This is huge. That's how we govern ourselves.

Okay. Well, I don't want to belabor this, but again, the rules are important. That's how we govern ourselves. You've got to have rules, guardrails, guidelines. And I don't know when these were adopted, but one says 2024. One... cover sheet and I have another cover sheet says 2026. However, there are some items that need to be deleted such as the language, the MWBE language.

Let me finish my sentence. Yes, ma'am. What I wanted to say is that, again, because the rules are so important, We need to go through it so that the new commissioners will get the updated information. However, I didn't get the memo about the training until late. I already had things going. So I'm letting you know that so you'll know I won't be at the training on Saturday because I'm committed to the training.

Okay. Okay. Thank you so much. Commissioner Avent, you recognized? Yes.

Thank you, Chair. Just to clarify, when any changes are made to the rules, those have to be signed by the mayor. and submitted by the minutes clerk. So the minutes clerk has done that. Mayor Harris has signed. There was one change that happened prior to the transition of the last commission and so the rules now have to be updated. Once those have been accepted by the parliamentarian, you will have on the next agenda a in order to accept the permanent rules. That's part of what our permanent rules say. We need to accept as a new body the permanent rules in the first meeting or sometime thereaft

All right, seeing no other members in the queue, we will now take this item to a vote. Where are we?

Oh, I'm sorry, yeah. We will take this item to a vote as amended. Madam Clerk? To fill in the blank.

Madam Parliamentarian, would you restate the amended language?

Okay. So moved. We had a motion. Okay. We'll state the motion.

So you just have to state it in your motion.

Motion to fill in the blank for The amount stated by Mr. Perry, which gave a $2,000 above board of what the commissioners made. What is the amount?

It's been moved by Commissioner Richardson and seconded by Commissioner Sugarman that the item Sugarman, that the chairs, what is it, the blank amount be amended to $2,000.16.

The amount is $36,900.24. $36,900.24. Yes, ma'am. It says specific amount of the chair, so I was going to the very detail, which is $2,000. Okay, so we've done that. Can we do that without objection? So moved. We'll send this down without objection.

Just so we're clear, that was a motion to amend the resolution that has been approved, and now I think the chair is going to call for a vote on the resolution. There was an amendment to the resolution, and now we're going to vote on the actual resolution. Okay.

If I wanted to send it down without recommendation as amended, that was the motion. That's your motion? Yes, ma'am. And it was second by Commissioner Sugarman.

Just for clarity, Commissioner Sugarman seconded the motion of the amount. So now we're doing the actual motion for the resolution if you're wanting to send it down without recommendation or as amended.

All right. I'm going to make the motion to send it down without recommendation. I'm sorry, as amended. And Commissioner Caswell has just seconded it. And can we do that without objection? So moved. All right. So we've conquered that. The next item. I think we're done with general government. I believe that concludes general government. And we need to, right, we will conclude general government and go back to community service. Committee eight.

All right. We call in committee number eight, item number one, community service. I thought it was.

I know, Director, we got you here. I appreciate your patience with us today as we get this going. But, Director, I thought we did this in the last meeting. What happened? Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It was moved by Commissioner Richardson and seconded by myself. Director.

All right. Thank you, Director. Seeing no others in the queue, I just want to say, and I appreciate the work with the park that you did, the A through Z with the book. And so that's something, if y'all haven't had the opportunity to see it down at Tom Lee Park, you can take a walk, and they got the book all the way through the park, A through Z. So awesome. Awesome job. Let's take this item to vote. All right, tethered the votes. And

All right. That item goes down with a favor recommendation. That concludes Committee Number 8.

You've been here so long, so I know how it is.

Well, since, I don't know if that, well, if I can just make a general comment. I understand that there's a list, so maybe we can sit down with the list and go through it as soon as possible so that we, the new members can have access to it. Thank you. We will now convene Committee Number 11, Core City Neighborhoods and Housing. Let's get it properly before us. It has been moved by myself and seconded by Commissioner O'Dell.

Thank you, and we do have a presentation. Ms. Sykes-Wood.

I'm sorry. Could you just pause for one moment? Yes, ma'am. We need to get this on the record. Yes, ma'am. The mover was Commissioner Brooks and seconded by Commissioner Caswell. Thank you. Thank you.

So, Ms. Saxwood, are we doing any better in terms of making sure that any potential buyers have absolute clear knowledge that these are environmental risks?

Okay, and that's good. And so we've had that done, but we still run into some problems. And we have a new trustee now. So it may be worth having a conversation with Trustee Lee before we decide to do a resolution requiring that at Texel, that notice at Texel that these properties have environmental risks.

I just feel like we need to do everything we can to prevent a lawsuit. Now, I'm not afraid of a lawsuit. I'm on the eager side. But in this case, I just think that since that's the last step, let's just make sure that we've dotted our I's and crossed our T's by showing another notice that this may be an environmental risk. I mean, it couldn't hurt.

Yes, ma'am. Okay. Oh, let me look at... Hold on one second. Let me... Okay, Commissioner Mills.

Yes, ma'am. For my clarification... All these properties, they are county-owned at this time, or are they still held by the private citizen?

Okay. Seeing no other members in the queue, we will move this item to a vote. Madam Clerk, please prepare the screen. Every member cast your vote. Any member desiring to change the vote? Every member voted. Madam Clerk, may we have a tally?

That item goes down with a favorable recommendation. Madam Parliamentarian, next item, please. Yes, Madam Chair.

Thank you. This item has been moved by Commissioner O'Dell and seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Ms. Esther Sykes-Wood, you're recognized.

Thank you, Chairwoman. A couple questions. Is there a spreadsheet that's available that will give us a breakdown of each parcel, the neighborhood, the purchaser, the purchase price, the appraised value, and the proposed use?

All right, seeing no other members in the queue, we'll move to the vote. Madam Clerk, please prepare the screen for the vote. Every member cast your vote. Every member voted. Madam Clerk, may we have a tally?

Madam Clerk, that item goes down with a favorable recommendation. And thank you, Ms. Sykes-Wood.

Thank you, Madam Parliamentarian. This item has been moved by Commissioner Caswell and second by myself. Ms. Sykes-Wood, you're recognized.

Thank you. If you all could come up, I would like to let the committee have some idea of what we're doing with these delinquent properties and the benefit, potential, present and potential benefit to Shelby County. Not too long. Maybe three minutes. So what is this High Park Small Area Plan? Give us your name and a zip code, please.

Okay. Did you want to add something to it? Oh, I'm sorry, Commissioner Caswell.

Thank you, Chair Wildman. And I know this is Commissioner Richardson District, but yet I know that in the past we did something where, and it was the county, they conveyed to Klondike CDC, I believe, 100 and some properties, and really didn't ever see much of that going forward. I was wondering, what's the difference from that project to this project, and how do we measure Did this development going forward if something ever gonna be done with those properties?

Okay. Is it any grant dollars or anything given to the developers to do this project from the city?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Commissioner Mills?

Yes, Mr. Hodge, is that it? So right now, these 246 properties, they're owned by the county, so we're not getting tax dollars for it. We're going to give them to the city. Are they going to a non-profit or will eventually these 246 properties be tax-paying property tax citizens so they'll be productive again? Is that where they're going or are they going to a non-profit? Can you explain that further to me?

Thank you. You've answered that. I know the board here definitely wants to see, and I know you're here every month, these delinquent properties become tax paying properties again, which help our government. And that's what we want to see. I just want to make sure that was possibly going to happen with these. And I believe it is. Thank you.

So thank you. Let me just add one other thing in reference to the incentives. for these emerging developers is what they are called. They are not like your big uptown developers or your big MGTs and all of those new luxury apartment developers. Those are not that group. They are not in that group. These are small developers who have just a small amount of money and they can do one or two homes. And the incentives are nothing like pilots, okay? The incentives they get are spread all over planning and development. It may be $2,500 here, $20,000 here throughout the department, but it's not even c

You're welcome. Commissioner Richardson.

Thank you, Chairwoman. That answered most of my questions, but is there a timeline that's given for this project to be taken, or what are we looking at as far as the length of time that it takes to build?

Second question I have is if this project is not fulfilled, does this land revert back to the county?

Thank you, Commissioner Richardson. Commissioner Streeter.

Thank you. So individual citizens are not able to purchase any of this. It would have to be a builder or some type of company.

So how will they be notified of this program and their ability to acquire these lots?

So how are we able to hear that information, like more about that? Because we just talked earlier about social media not being enough. to really inform the community about opportunities. So, because that really, it sounds like a great program, but only if everybody gets a chance to really benefit from it and understand what they need to do in order to participate in it. Thank you.

Great. I'd love to hear about it whenever it happens. So if you can send us that information, that'd be great. Thank you.

So let me try and add a little bit more to that because this is, Commissioner Streeter, a community-driven process, and I attended a couple of those meetings that were in. This happened to overlap in my district with Seth Tucker, who was also here to testify or not testify. my goodness, to present. I'm thinking I'm in the State House, okay. But there were community engagement meetings starting on June 3rd, July 29th, August 27th, 2025, March 12th, 26th, March 24th. And this plan was developed by South Tucker Architects in guidance and with support and input from the, what is the name of the co

Okay. Would you record, Commissioner Billers? Yes, aye. Aye. You're working on my screen. Madam Clerk, may we have a tally?

Thank you, Madam Clerk. And this item goes down with the favorable recommendation. And this concludes Core City Neighborhoods and Housing. Thank you all so very much for being here. This is the most we've ever had to be in Core City Neighborhoods and Housing. This is wonderful. Now, I hope you all continue to come. We're adjourned.