County Commission - Regular Meeting

All right.

Good afternoon. Uh, Deputy, could you call us to order this afternoon, please? Thank you, sir. Is Reverend Dr. K. Andre Brooks here to give us an invitation?

Don't see Dr. Brooks. All right. All right. Uh Trell Monger, would you mind giving us an invitation? Thank you so much. Be ready. Father, we just thank you for this opportunity to come and stand in behalf of the great citizens of Memphis, God. We thank you for such great and dedicated leaders, God, that night and day put their efforts forward to make this a better, safer place, God. And we that are here, we just want to add what we can to this moment, God. That you'll be glorified in whatever we do. I pray that you would take our work, enhance it, and let it do what glorifies your kingdom. We thank you. We give you honor, glory, and praise. It's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen.

Amen. Thank you, sir. Thank you for filling in for us today. Uh, Commissioner Why, can you lead us in the pledge? Thank you. You may be seated.

As you likely can tell, I am not chairwoman Avent. She is traveling today, so I am filling in. So, I don't think the placards are right. But, uh, thank you. Um, Madame Clerk, could you do the roll call, please?

Commissioner Whe present. Commissioner Clay Bibs, present. Commissioner Caswell, present. Commissioner Sugarman. Commissioner Mills, present. Commissioner Shala, present. Commissioner Wright.

Commissioner Thoron, present.

Commissioner Morrison, present. Commissioner Brooks. Commissioner Lauri, present. Vice Chair Bradford, present. Chairwoman Ava, we have 10 present.

All right. Thank you. Uh, commissioners, we have several um sets of meetings uh to approve tonight. Um, can I get a motion to approve meeting minutes from the one, two, three, past three, four meetings? All right. If I don't hear any objections to those, uh, we'll state those. Commissioner, right?

Yeah, Mr. Bister Chair, I just want to, uh, make a note on that. They are still showing up for me kind of out of order when I look at them. They're sort of sideways and like flip-flopping. Um, so if we could just take a look at that. I'm sure they're good. It looked like the right dates at least when I was reviewing them, but something's happening with the formatting. Okay. So, more of a technical issue than Yes, sir.

Okay. All right. We'll try and get that corrected. Uh if nobody has uh any items, we will uh accept these without objection. All right. Minutes are accepted. All right. It is possible to join the meeting in two ways. via the designated email account vocelbyount.gov or via phone at 9012221234. Parliamentarian, would you read the rest of the rule?

Members of the public who desire to address the county commission shall request permission by completing an appearance card which will be given to the chair by a deputy. Members of the public shall be permitted to address the county commission unless ruled out of order by the chair or denied the opportunity to speak by a majority vote of the commissioner's present voting. Please note that as it pertains to public comment, our rules of order set a limit of no longer than three minutes when recognized by the chair. The chair may set a limit for discussion by the public of less than three minutes for each individual if circumstances require. Finally, to the members of the public, if you would like to express your pleasure or displeasure on a matter before the county commission, please do so by raising your thumb up or pointing it down as opposed to applause or other expressions of approval or disapproval. Disruptive members of the public are subject to removal from the commission chambers by the deputy sheriff. Thank you for your attention and in advance for your cooperation today.

All right. Thank you so much. All right. Uh commission birthdays. um celebrating birthdays in the month of March. Um Commissioner Lowry celebrated one on the 13th. Congratulations, sir. And Commissioner Wright is celebrating his birthday today. He decided to join us. So, thank you, Commissioner Wright. All right, Parliamentarian, we have a number of um resolutions of memorial sympathy and com commenation today. Uh if you would read the first one and then we'll probably split it out and uh do district by district.

Yes, sir. Item five is a resolution honoring extraordinary women who are making a difference in Shelby County in recognition of Women's History Month 2026. Sponsored by Chairwoman Shante Kavan. All right. Thank you so much. Um, Commissioner Mills, I'm going to let you take the lead on this if you're ready. Okay. My honory Tanya How had to leave town. Her father was put on hospice Friday, so she is with her father and we will recognize her at a later date. Thank you. Thank you. I'm so sorry to hear that. All right. Uh, Commissioner Wright, you're up next. Can you Can I skip for now? Pass and come back. Yeah, because I don't have my script yet. Certainly.

It's in

Let's see. Commissioner Caswell, I think you're next up. Are you ready, sir? All right. Thank you, chair, uh, for this opportunity today. Again, to all the women who will be honored on today. It's a great pleasure for us to be able to do this. But I'm truly honored for the recognition today of my very own daughter Tiara Caswell uh as she come up. Um I just thank God for my daughter. This is the one when I transition over I'm blessed to have six beautiful children. uh her and her twin sister was my first uh and but you know when I transitioned over to this body to become the exe the uh chair uh commissioner she took over the organization legacy of legend community development corporation when I tell you she took on a massive uh undertaking uh with the footprints that I was doing in the community for many years for her to continue to do that work she was a success coach proud to being on that body uh serving with us in the work that we do in the community but uh taking it to another level. We're working with the seven peace stakeholders in the Frasier and surrounding community. I thank her for not only being a leader in our family uh with her brothers with her s brother, one brother and five sisters uh but just thank her for being a leader in our community. Uh she this past weekend put on an awesome event at Bill Street Landing honoring leaders from around our city and community. Uh and just continue to just step up to be the daughter that I'm proud to have. uh and today and honor her and recognize her. I I can say so much more about her, but I just thank you all for this opportunity to recognize Tiara K as well uh my daughter.

Uh thank you to first off my dad, but you all know him as Shelby County Commissioner Dr. Charlie Casswell for being a mentor, being a leader, being a role model uh to not only the community but to our family. And thank you to each of you who I've had the opportunity to connect with at some uh venture or not. And I thank you all for your support, for your care, for your love. And a lot of people in the audience who I've had the chance to work with um and be mentored and supported by. I want to continue uh supporting the legacy of Legacy of Legends and the Kwell family. So, thank you. All right, Commissioner Lowry, are you ready?

Yep. Mr. Chair, members of the commission, uh, I like Caswell. This one was going to be easy for me. Um, this will be the last time I get to honor anyone for Women's Month as a county commissioner. And I'm proud of the body uh that we came within in 2018 because we weren't doing this prior to that. We also weren't recognizing people for Black History Month prior to this body being set in 2018. So, I'm proud of that. But with my last time to be able to honor someone for women's month, I will be honoring my wife, Chenise Lowry. And I'm glad I have my notes here so I won't take up too much time. But um I am truly proud and and honored uh to have her stand uh not only by my side but the mother that she is, but also the advocate that she is for autism awareness, the advocate that she doesn't like to play publicly. Uh being a cancer survivor herself. um all the things that uh she does to make sure our household um and our girls are thriving as best as they can, but also allows me to do things that I do. So, thank you, sweetheart. So, I'm going to make this official like I would do anybody else. All right. Whereas, Miss Chenise Lowry is an accomplished author and Mayo Clinic certified health and wellness specialist dedicated to improving the lives of others through education, wellness, and service.

Whereas, Miss Lowry is a breast cancer survivor who strength and perseverance serve as inspiration to many and she used her voice to advocate for children and young adults with autism bringing awareness to support and families in need. She's the wife to wife to Commissioner Muel Lowry and loving mother to three daughters Bon Mila and Milan exemplifying strength leadership in her family and her community. Now therefore, let it be resolved by Sherwood County Board of Commissioners that we do honor Miss Shamisa Lowry to a Women's History Month for her dedication to education, health advocacy, community service, and for inspiration that she provides through her resilience and leadership and nothing else for just being by my side. Thank you all.

Thank you. Thank you all so much. I really really appreciate I don't say much. I kind of work a lot behind the scenes, but I really appreciate just being recognized. Um, and again, thank you guys so much. I really appreciate it. All right. Uh, Commissioner Shalai Chair Commission, it is with great honor that I honor somebody that is very close and dear to my life, Miss Linda Hall, University of Memphis. You probably don't want me to read all your business out, but just to say a little bit, you know, you are truly a pillar at the University of Memphis when it comes to representing the usually unrepresented and the undersported at the University of Memphis. There are generations of students that have worked with you, that you have worked for and with. It's almost like anywhere I go as I talk to anybody that has been a former student of the University of Memphis, they all have high esteem for you and the work that you've done on campus and for them personally. And so it is a great honor for me to be able to come. This is I think the first thing I've done officially in this body. Um so I will read this out just a little bit. Miss whereas Miss Linda Hall has devoted more than 30 years of service to higher education at the University of Memphis where she's played a vital role in

supporting and developing generations of students. And whereas in 2014, Miss Hall made history as the first woman to serve as associate dean of multicultural affairs. A remarkable accomplishment that reflects her journey from beginning her career in the office as a secretary to becoming a respected and influential leader. And whereas throughout her career, Miss Hall has been a consistent advocate for underrepresented students, helping them grow as leaders, expand opportunities, strengthen their communication skills, and find their voice on important social and community issues. Whereas as a devoted mother of two sons who are both graduates of the University of Memphis, Hall's legacy of education, leadership, and service extends from family to the broader comm community. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Shelby County Board of Commissioners do hereby honors Miss Linda Hall during Women's History Month for our trailblating leadership, her steadfast advocacy for students, and her profound impact on higher education in the Memphis community. Thank you so much, Commissioner. I am so proud. I'm tiger proud uh to see you appointed to this particular position. I feel like I have a responsibility here. Uh I'm proud like you're my son and thank you for the work that you will do in the community. I saw what you did at the University of Memphis. So many accolades I cannot even repeat them. And so I know you will do a great job and thank you so much for this honor. Commissioner Brooks, you want to do your resolution

Mr. Good afternoon everyone. It is my very special pleasure to have the honor I'm recognizing someone that I've known and respected for quite some time. Uh, Mrs. Toan Style Mitchell in recognition of Women's History Month. I will read all of this because you need to know this. You you need to hear this. Whereas it is fitting for Shelby County Board of Commissioners to recognize outstanding women who have shaped Shelby County through their leadership and actions. And whereas Mrs. Towan Stout Mitchell is a trailblazing Memphis leader who helped build this city from the inside out through her service across public and nonprofit sectors. Whereas Mrs. Towan Style Mitchell is one of a few to have been elected to serve eight years both on the Memphis City Council and the Memphis City Schools Board where she served as chair of both bodies. Mrs. Mitchell led the development of Memphis Visitors Information Center, the White Haven Library, White Haven Goss Links. In addition, she supported Hickory Hills Community Center, Auburn Ridge, Diamond, Ruby, and Emerald Estates, the largest redevelopment of homes in White Haven. Mrs. Mitchell in her role as the intergovernmental relations director

secured state and federal funding for the Real Time Crime Center. She strived for minority and womenowned businesses to be included as well as a major capital improvements for Memphis neighborhoods. Whereas Mrs. Mitchell led regional operations for the American Cancer Society. Under her leadership, the American parent uh cancer society upgraded patient services and advanced diversity initiatives across the mids south in her continued commitment to cancer patient. Mrs. Stout Mitchell supported the development of the hope lodge which is a residential facility to provide temporary housing for cancer patients seeking treatment. And whereas Mrs. Stout Mitchell champion changes in education. She led the development of seven new school buildings in her time as chair of Memphis City Schools board and implemented the teaching of African-American history in curriculum. Furthermore, she promoted the school choice program that would allow all students to select the school they wanted to attend if space was available. Mrs. Mitchell is founding dean of the city of Memphis Academy of Civic Engagement and the career creator of the school for public service readiness where her passion for education and civic engagement intersect. And whereas Mrs. Mitchell is a woman of deep faith and service. Her life's mission to pass the torch hope and promise inspires others to stand for excellence in public service. Her

leadership has shaped education, government, community life for more than four decades now. Therefore, being resolved that the Shelby County Board of Commissioners hereby honors and recognizes Mrs. Tuan St. Mitchell for her lifelong commitment to public service, mentorship, and community leadership and celebrates her contributions across Shelby County. Sister, I want to thank each and every one of you, but especially Commissioner Brooks. I really consider it an honor to be recognized by her because she is a legend. A legend who never shies away from speaking up for her people. A legend who understands this community and loves every bit of it. and she knows like you know how humbling it is to serve others. And I want to thank everybody in district three whoever voted for me and thought that I could do some good for all of them. Finally, I want to thank my mom who stood outside of ICE department store four months passing out flyers asking people in the cold and the rain to vote for her baby girl. My mom is in hospice, but I know she is proud not only of me, but all three of her children. Thank you.

All right, Commissioner Thordon. How sweet it is to be in the presence of Principal Tally. Um, esteemed colleagues, this has been an honor to be able to um, work alongside Principal Thally, who we're going to learn about today. Um, I hear that Orange Mound is in the house, so I kind of figured that would happen. And, uh, Commissioner Lowry, when you just uh, reminded me that this is my last time being able to honor um, an honore for Women's History Month. And it's so befitting for me um coming from Orange Mound and having the honor to be able to represent my home community, to represent this living legend, this lady who is so dynamic and just you'll if you haven't heard about her, do your research because she's really um transforming not only a school but a community and I just can't thank her enough for her service. Andrea Thali is a proud native Memphian and distinguished honor student, graduating fifth in her class of 1992 at Merles High School. She returned to her alma mater to lead with passion, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to student success. As a Melrose Golden Wildcat, she demonstrated exceptional leadership and school spirit as senior class president and Miss Senior, earning numerous honors and participating in a broad range of academic and extracurricular activities. Her involvement in multiple sports, including National Honor Society, Student Council, band, and various student organizations, has shaped her character, leadership, and dedication to

excellence. Whereas principal Tally was inspired in college to pursue education in which she earned a bachelor's of arts at the University of Tennessee Tennessee in Knoxville, a master's degree in educational leadership from Jacksonville University, and a master of business administration from the University of Memphis. All these built a strong foundation in instructional and organizational leadership. Whereas grounded in her core values, God first, family second, and students always, Mrs. Tally returned home to Memphis in July 2025 to become the first the first female principal of Melrose High School,

arriving just one week before teachers returned for the 202526 school year after residing in Jacksonville, Florida for 27 years. Whereas Melro's alumni and the Orangem community have expressed great pride in the school's transformation, noting improved hallways, greater student accountability, and a renewed culture of excidence excellence. Under her leadership, Merles High School has restored structure, rebuilt culture, and refocus on teaching and learning, resulting in significant improvements during the 2025 2026 school year. So, I'm going to switch over here now. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the board of Shelby County Commissioners of Shelby County, Tennessee, that we here do by honor Andrea Thally for the being the first female principal of Melrose High School for her exceptional leadership and her continued dedication to ensuring that every student is equipped, empowered, and prepared for success. allow me to celebrate this dynamic leader and thank you so much for all that you do.

Thank you so much. Thank you uh Commissioner Thorne. Thank you to the rest of commissioners and Commissioner Avan's absence. Go Tennessee VS. We went to Tennessee um together. Must give a hand clap to my parents. Without them, I would not be here. my sister-in-law and niece, all my colleagues from V. Merose High School, and then constituents and residents of Orange Mound. Uh, this is truly a pleasure. It is an honor. Every day I walk around and, you know, people always say it's such a big thing, but I'm a humble person because I'm a servant leader and I'm here to serve the people and do the work. So I don't always think about what it means, but I what what I want to reflect on one day and what I want to be remembered for is how I instilled and changed the trajectory of lives of young people, a community as well as the city of Memphis. It takes hard work, it takes passion, it takes love, and it takes dedication. And we are breaking barriers and boundaries at the uh Meros High School. And then under the leadership of our own commissioner, Commissioner Thornton, and the work that she does alongside of us, it has equipped us to really make some big changes within the school, within the community, and also within the city. So, I am humbled. I am privileged. I am proud. And boy, boy, it's just more to come. So, thank you, Memphis. Thank you for having me back. Glad to be home. And glad to be in my home that I graduated from Merose High School. THANK YOU AGAIN.

I GOT IT. CONGRATULATIONS.

All right, Commissioner Clay Bibs. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair and colleagues for allowing me this opportunity to be able to stand in front of you to honor this person. And um this lady, she takes her time because really she hates doing things like this, but I told her I was going to do it. And this is an opportunity for me to highlight Miss Helen Collins. If you have spent any time in Hickory Hill, you know Helen Collins at the level on which she is, we consider her and call her the mayor of Hickory Hill. Um, as a side note, I stand here as I close out this particular term getting ready to go into my second term. She has been with me every step of the way. I remember I was um putting up signs uh in 22 and she didn't recognize the car. I was in my mother's car and I was moving the sign cuz it was falling down trying to put it back up. She was driving down the street. I saw her whip around the corner real fast and she came into the parking lot and she was like, "Excuse me, excuse me." Cuz she didn't recognize me because I had a hoodie on. She was like, "What are you doing with that sign?" And then I had to turn around and say, "Miss Collins, it's me. It's Ma. I'm moving my sign. She was like, "Okay, I just saw somebody tampering with a sign that, you know, in our area." So, I owe um a lot to her just for her belief in me um from the school board on now to the commission. So, I start off by saying whereas Miss Helen Collins, a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to strengthening families and uplifting the beloved community of Hickory Hill. And whereas born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Miss

Collins learned at an early age the importance of service, compassion, and giving back. Values that have guided her lifelong dedication to community empowerment. And whereas Miss Collins faithfully served her country for 10 years in the United States Army, swearing an oath to protect and defend the nation and carrying the same spirit and duty and discipline into her community advocacy. And whereas for more than 20 years, Miss Collins has been a tireless advocate for marginalized citizens living in poverty, vulnerable populations, and underserved communities, exemplifying servant leadership in Atlanta, Georgia, Washington, DC, and Dallas, Texas. And whereas since 2003, her faithful and enthusiastic service to the Hickory Hill community has earned her the affection and well-deserved moniker honorary mayor of Hickory Hill, reflecting the profound respect and admiration of those she serves. And whereas Miss Collins distinguished accomplishments include serving as chief executive off chief executive officer of the heart of Picker Hill Neighborhood Association, ambassador for the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, ambassador for the Memphis Police Department, and more than two decades parent ambassador for Memphis Shelby County Schools, consistently uplifting and empowering children, parents, and families throughout the community. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Shelby County Board of Commissioners does hereby honor and recognize Miss Helen Collins as a 2026 Women's History Month honore for her extraordinary service, steadfast steadfast leadership, continued dedication to public service, and her unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life for all of the citizens of Shelby County, especially in Hickory Hill. So y'all, that person that she was just

talking about, I don't know where she come from. I will only say that um it's been more than an honor to provide service to just not Hickory Hill, but Shelby County and Memphis City. I will tell you that my if I left tomorrow that my legacy I like to think that my legacy was serving the people of Shelby County including Hickory Hill. But if I had to ask one thing of the people of Memphis, Shelby County, Hickory Hill, that there's an impact that everybody here can make. I would say consider being an Oregon tissue donor. Thank you. All

right, Commissioner Sugarman. It's a special honor to be honoring um Janice Olaf for years of service. She reminds me of EF Hudson because when she talks, people listen. Um and so again, it's an honor to be recognizing your mother. Whereas Full Love is a proud Raised in the heart of South Memphis, she attended Brooky Washington High School of Excellence and became the first member of her family to go to college. Full of love, graduated with a bachelor of arts from Memphis State University, a master of arts and communication studies from the University of Memphis. Alongside her groundbreaking work in radio, she devoted herself to educating the next generation of communi communicators at Southwest Tennessee Community College, Northwest Community College, and the University of Memphis. and Noras Fula spent her life breaking barriers after barriers, including becoming the first African-American talk show host at WMC radio in 1994. She had her own talk show, What's on Your Mind line, on WDIA, the first black radio station in the country. Whether it was on television or radio, but love spent her years informing Shelby County residents on issues that matter.

She cares deeply about her community, the community that inspired her to begin the next phase of her career in public service. Whereas in October 2007, Bull Love was elected as the next member of the Memphis City Council for District 8, position two. And in August 2018, she became the first African-American woman elected as Shelby County's juvenile court clerk. During her term, she implemented the fully funded full initiative that gave her team welldeserved raises and established tiered positions for career advancement. And whereas foot love is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, she is grateful for the friends, supporters, and family members who stood by her side, yet is most grateful for greatest pride and joy, her children, Janine Gordon and Shamala Pace. Bula believes that her journey is not personal victory but rather a powerful testament to what is possible when tenacity meets a deep and abiding love for community. It is therefore resolved that the Shelby County Board of Commissioners recognize Janice Bulock in honor of Women's History Month 2026 to this body and of course to Commissioner Sugarman. Thank you on behalf of my mother who is watching right now on the live stream. My brother is here. My husband is here. And I would be remissed if I did not recognize all of the leaders who showed up for my mom today because as you all know, she has always shown up for her community. Janice Fully Love is Memphis. And what

that means is a woman who has a deep and compassionate love for doing everything right because it is the right thing to do. whether you call her at 2:00 in the morning. And I always tried to figure out why she gave her cell phone number out when she was on the city council. I never understood it. But if it was a woman in need, if it was a child in need, it did not matter. My mother was going to get to the bottom of it and find a resolution. And so this is an honor that I am going to accept on her behalf. But again, I want those who are here from the juvenile court clerk's office because each were leaders in my mother's administration. They're now leaders in my administration. So, if you all will please stand because it shows her deep commitment in finding the right people at the right time. And I want every every last one of them to come on down. My husband, come on. Everybody come on down, please. Thank you all. They wanted to be here to say thank you to my mother. I wanted them to be here because this is an honor that I know she is deserving of and she is deserving of so many others, but this one is special. And so I thank you, Commissioner Sugarman. And I thank each of the leaders who are here, my husband is here, that's her son-in-law, and of course my brother is here. Uh, and so I just want to say thank you to each of them. And thank you to each and every one of you for this honor and this recognition for a woman who is Memphis and has never given up on Memphis. And again, Mom, I know you're watching. I guess they got it on for you today. Uh, but thank you and thank you and thank you all again.

All right, Commissioner Whe All right. Good afternoon, chairman, commissioners. Uh it's a privilege this afternoon to honor uh Miss Trivia Chapman uh who's the president of the Bank of America Memphis. Uh, Trivia Chapman serves with distinction as president of Bank of America Memphis. Provides strategic leadership uh that aligns clients, teammates, and communities with the company's full capabilities across eight lines of business. As market executive for Memphis, uh, Travia leads the development and execution of a comprehensive strategic plan centered on responsible growth, organizational excellence, employee engagement, and strong corporate citizenship while overseeing critical community partnerships, sponsorships, and stakeholder relationships. Uh, whereas Trivia became the first female president of Bank of America Memphis in 2021. I I want to I want to make sure we all understand how rare that is to have such an accomplished black woman leader in finance in America. And to have her right here in Memphis, I think is a blessing to our community for not only those who live here now, but for future generations. Uh and so I want to make sure that that point is not um it cannot be overstated. Uh so very much appreciate your leadership uh here in Memphis. Uh she has helped drive significant regional economic impacts including $53 million in small business loans, $478 million in commercial loans, 18 million in home loans, and 7 million

in philanthropic investments. Uh whereas Shvia demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion through her role as executive sponsor of the Black Professional Group of Tennessee and her engagement in leadership development initiatives uh for women. She also serves the broader community through in involvement uh on the board. She is on the board of Tennessee State University uh on the board of the Women's Foundation of Greater Memphis, the Brooks Museum of Art, and Shelby Farmers Park Conservancy. Not sure how you have time to do all that. Um but we appreciate it. Uh and contributes to higher education and leadership development as executive and residents at the University of Memphis, Bogleman College of Business, and through New Memphis and Leadership Tennessee. Uh whereas Travia is a proud native of Memphis and her leadership has earned her widespread recognition including the uh Memphis Business Journal Power 100, uh the Memphis Grizzlies HB.CU Empowerment Award, Memphis Business Journal Superwoman in Business, and Memphis Business Journal Top 40, just to name a few. Uh Miss Chapman holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Tennessee State University. Uh she is supported in her leadership by her husband Keith Chapman as they raise their three amazing sons. Please join me in recognizing Miss Trevia Chapman.

Commissioner Wley, thank you so much for the recognition. and to everyone that is here, all commissioners and those that are present. It takes a village to raise a banker. And I want to thank my village that is here, my parents, my husband, my best friends, sorority sisters, links, all the people. Hey y'all. Thank y'all so much. My grandmother, my aunts, uncles, everyone. Thank you so much for being here with me. Listen, one thing that I want to say today is that my mother always says only what you do for Christ will last. And what I have learned going through what is almost now 25 years in an industry is the importance of ensuring that you are aligned to purpose day in and day out. And I found my purpose in serving in the banking industry by accident. I was working in a uh big box grocery store here in Memphis going through an internship and it was at the time when we were moving from cost cutter coupons to shoppers cards and I would never forget every Tuesday there was a senior community bus that would always arrive at my store and there was a gentleman that came through a line one day buying bananas and grapes. He did not have time to sign up for the card. He needed to get back to the bus. And when the register rang up the total, he did not have enough money on him. And I watched this man pull out a Crown Royal bag and start counting coin onto the register to buy bananas and grapes because he did not have the dollars necessary. And that is when my purpose aligned. I walked away from a job that was being

presented to me in Nashville for that store and went to banking as a teller. And I've had the privilege step by step to climb into this industry to now serve as the first female president of Bank of America right here in Memphis. It is an honor that I do not take lightly. It is a privilege that I do not take lightly. the 500,000 households that are entrusted to me across Memphis and the Midsouth. It is something that I hold dear and understanding that it is my life's calling to ensure that I can reduce through the work of serving in this role serving on the board of Tennessee State University, the Women's Foundation, and ensuring that I am helping to reduce the number of those that are having to count out coin to buy bananas and grapes because in this county we We are better than that. And I know that everyone in here is stacked hands with me on many occasions that we are all about economic development and empowering our people, particularly as we are heading into the commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King losing his life right here in Memphis. It is life's work. Again, it is a privilege. Thank you, Commissioner Whley, for this recognition. And thank y'all for joining in as we continue to beat the drum of economic prosperity right here in Memphis, Tennessee and Shelby County.

All right, village y'all. Come on. All right, Commissioner Wright, rounding us out. All right. Um, so district three is uh the district that I represent and in district three we get to represent the communities of Bartletts and Lakeland.

And this is really well timed because in Lakeland um we just had um we just welcomed in the first uh new city manager for Lakeland who is a woman for the first time in the history of the city of Lakeland. Um and so my guest today, my honore is Emily Harrell. uh and I'm just so thankful for you and uh uh happy for this opportunity to recognize you and the work that you do in our community. Um so I'll read just a portion of this. Um this says, "Whereas Emily Harrell, native Memphian and proud graduate of Millington High School, Commissioner Mills embodies the spirit of excellence and perseverance that Women's History Month seeks to pay tribute to. and whereas she began her illustrious career in the city of Lakeland in 2004 as an engineering intern, demonstrating early on her dedication to public works and community de development. And whereas upon graduation, she was hired as a staff engineer and faithfully served the city until 2014 where she brought in her professional experience as a senior engineer for the town of Collierville. Commissioner Brad Bradford. Her commitment to Lakeland called her back home in 2015. So sorry, Mr. Vice Chair, where she came back and served as city engineer. Through her service, she recently achieved the milestone of being appointed city manager. uh also serving as Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator and flood plane administrator, becoming a trailblazer for women in engineering and municipal management. And whereas beyond

her responsibilities, Miss Harold remains deeply engaged in advancing the engineering profession, having served on the board of directors and an officer roles for the West Tennessee branch of the American Society of Civil Engineers. She is currently serving as the Tennessee Section President. She further contributes her expertise and direction as treasurer of the Tennessee chapter of the American Public Works Association, strengthening public works initiatives across the state. Now, therefore, be it resolved by the board of commissioners of Shelby County, Tennessee, that we do hereby honor and elevate Emily Harrell for Women's History Month 2026. Congratulations, Thank you. Um I'm really honored. Thank you, Commissioner Wright and um all the commissioners. Um city manager is not not anything that I aspired for, but um being in public service for 20 years. Um the opportunity came available and it felt it felt right. And um so I'm honored to serve my city, I'm honored to serve the county, and I just appreciate you all for recognizing this.

Thank you, Commissioner Wright. All right, that concludes item number five, parliamentarian, if you read item number six. And Commissioner Whe. Item six is an honorary resolution congratulating Beth Wilson and the Wilson public relations firm fiveyear anniversary sponsored by chairman prompor David C. Bradford Jr.

Okay. Thank you very much. Uh vice chairman Bradford you have the floor. So, as we have honored some other extraordinary women uh today, I also wanted to order uh recognize uh Beth Wilson and all of her um efforts in putting together Wilson Public Relations. Um this is a womanowned business that started from scratch right here. Uh I think I read like 80% of companies fail within the first two years and she has celebrated five years of business. So, this is just a wonderful success story for business in town and so I wanted to recognize her today. So, I will uh read through this uh real quickly. um and a few words as well. So, uh whereas is appropriate for Shelby County Board of Commissioners to recognize and honor esteemed citizens within Shelby County that have made an enormous impact on its citizens. And whereas Beth Wilson is the founder of Wilson Public Relations, a Memphis-based strategic communications firm that serves clients ranging from startups to global corporations across industries including economic development, technology, healthcare, hospitality, professional services, education, and nonprofit organizations. And whereas a women a woman-ledd locallyowned small business, Beth Wilson is more than business owner. She is a changemaker. Across Shelby County, women led small businesses are creating jobs, revitalizing neighborhoods, and delivering essential services that strengthen our local economy. Through leadership, collaboration, and resilience, women led locally small businesses build communities where opportunities thrive. And every generation is inspired to succeed. By breaking down barriers and setting powerful examples, women like Beth inspire future generations of women entrepreneurs to lead, innovate, and thrive. And whereas with more than 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing, Beth Wilson has helped leadership role has held leadership roles with various organizations throughout the Southeast and has built Wilson public relations upon a strong foundation of values including passion, integrity, authenticity, innovation, growth, transparency, and flexibility,

guiding clients and effectively and effectively telling their stories and achieving measurable results. And whereas a proud alumni of the University of Memphis, Wilson holds her bachelor's of arts and journalism public relations and executive MBA and the distinguished accreditation in public relations, APR. And she continues to give back to her alma moater through service in the on the department of journalism and strategic media alumni board and the department of marketing and supply chain management advisory board. And whereas recognizing the importance of community service and civic engagement, Beth Wilson serves on a university high school workforce advisory board and the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women executive leadership team and actively supports local initiatives including 901 women, Angel Street Memphis, and Volunteer Odyssey. And whereas in recognition of her professional excellence and leadership, Wilson has been honored as a recipient of the University of Memphis Department of Journalism and Strategic Media Outstanding Alumni Award and has been recognized by the Memphis Business Journal as small business executive of the year and is a superwoman in business. And whereas beyond her professional and civic commitments, Beth Wilson is a fitness enthusiast and advocate for mental health awareness, enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends, and remains deeply passionate about the growth and success of the Memphis community. Now, now therefore, be it resolved that the Shelby County Board of Commissioners hereby honors, commends, and congratulates Beth Wilson for her outstanding leadership, professional accomplishments, and unwavering commitment to community service, and extends best wishes for her continued success and impact. Thank you, Beth.

Thank you so much, Commissioner Bradford, for all of that. Um, I would not be here today without the support of these amazing women right here. Um, and my family. Uh, this this team of women is absolutely amazing. They're the reason why we're able to produce the work that we do for our clients and our partners. U, my family and friends are the lifeblood that keep me doing exactly what I love to be doing. I'm so grateful for all of you. I'm grateful for our clients, for our partners, for this community that continues to pour so much love into all of us. Uh so many people have stood up here today and talked about how it takes a village, and it truly does. This is a small portion of mine, but they represent a huge portion of why we are as successful as we are. It's been an amazing five years full of so much work, and I'm really excited for the next five. And I'm so grateful for all of you and grateful for you all for being here and for all that you do. Thank you so much. All right. Thank you. Thank you, Beth, and and for bringing your team here, and it's been a joy, you know, for me personally to follow your work over the years and uh congratulations again. All right. Um, Madam Parliamentarian, I think we can read item number seven. Item seven is an honorary resolution congratulating Miss Deanna Jones,

Tennessee Department of Education Principal of the Year, sponsored by Chairman Pro Tim for David C. Bradford, Jr. Okay. Thank you, Vice Chairman Bradford.

All right. Thank you. Um, for those keeping count, uh, if you remember earlier this year, we recognized the state of Tennessee teacher of the year is in Shelby County. We also have the principal of the year. So, way to go Shelby County. All right. Whereas, it is both fitting and proper for Shelby County Board of Commissioners to recognize, celebrate, and uplift distinguished leaders whose service, excellence, and unwavering commitment have profoundly enriched the lives of Shelby County residents and strengthened the fabric of our community. And whereas principal Deanna Jones of Bailey Station Elementary School of Carterville School has achieved the extraordinary distinguish distinction of being named the 2025 2026 Tennessee principal of the year by the Tennessee Department of Education, an honor that reflects the highest level of professional excellence and leadership in education across the state. And whereas Principal Jones has formally honored was formally honored at the annual excellence in education celebration in December 2025, a moment of welldeserved recognition that highlighted her passion for fostering joyful learning, maintaining rigorous academic standards, and building a school culture rooted in encouragement, achievement, and pride. And whereas her remarkable career in education spans more than three decades, beginning in 1991 as a third and fifth grade teacher at Farmington Elementary School in Germantown, where she dedicated dedicated 13 years to shaping young minds, followed by her transition to Carterville schools in 2004 as an assistant principal at Sycamore Elementary and subsequently helping to open Bailey Station Elementary in 2005, where she has served as principal since 2020. And whereas this prestigious recognition celebrates not only her exceptional leadership, but exemplifies her fervent vision of championing the belief that academic excellence and joyful learning are inseparable, fostering classrooms filled with curiosity, engagement, innovation, and celebration where every student is empowered to succeed and every achievement is recognized. And whereas through her leadership, Principal Jones

implemented and organized a district-wide interscolastic professional learning community, creating meaningful collaboration across schools and content areas, strengthening instructional practices and elevating both educator leadership and student outcomes throughout the district. And whereas the Tennessee principal of the year distinguish distinction is reserved for an elite group of educational leaders who demonstrate superior ability in guiding students and faculty, inspiring excellence, implementing innovation programs, and achieving sustained and measurable gains in student learning, standards which principal Jones has not only met but exceeded with distinction. Principal Jones stands as a shining example of excellence within Carterville schools, becoming only the second principal from the district to receive this honor and representing the very best educational leadership in Shelby County in the state of Tennessee. And whereas Carterville schools district director Russell Dwire Dwire, excuse me, Russell Dyer aptly stated, "We are proud that the state recognized her work with the Tennessee principal of the year award. It is a well well-earned honor that reflects excellence at Bailey Station Elementary across Cardville schools. A testament to her far-reaching impact and respected leadership. Her achievements serve as an inspiration to educators, students, and the entire Shelby County community, reminding us of the transformative power of dedicated leadership, passionate learning, teaching, and a joyful commitment to learning. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Shelby County Board of Commissioners does hereby proudly recognize, honor, and celebrate Principal Deanna Jones of Bailey Station Elementary School for being named the Tennessee Department of Education's 2025 2026 Principal of the Year. Congratulations.

Thank you so much, sir. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

Well, thank you so much, Commissioner Bradford, and um what an honor to be here and see all these people recognized. I feel like I'm among some really important people. I have been on cloud9 truly since I was named principal of the year for the state of Tennessee and um I have not come down yet, but I will tell you truly that it does not belong to me. The award alone um really comes from the hard work of teachers. I wish that I could have them here with me. I left my building um a couple hours ago and they're behind closed doors serving our students. Um they are the ones that take the vision that I have that you know what I want my school to be and what I want um how we treat children and how we treat our families and how we make everyone feel seen when they walk in. They execute that vision. I couldn't do it alone. So if I could just have them all up here with me. They are truly the heroes that um that I want to acknowledge. And then my students, I mean they are the reason that I do what I do every day. So thank you so much for taking the time to recognize me. Um, I find it such an honor. So, I thank you.

All right. Thank you very much. Um, Madame Clerk, let's put uh three minutes on the clock. Commissioners, please review the consent agenda uh and jump into the queue if you have items you wish to pull.

All right, commissioners. I have uh four public comment cards on some consent agenda items. So, I'm going to ask that these folks come up and speak to these items before we pull the items. That way, if there's anything anybody wants to pull after they hear the speaker's comments, uh we can possibly add that to it. So, um the first comment card I have here is on item number eight from Paul Cade. Paul, if you'd like to come up.

Mr. K, once you get to the microphone, you'll have two minutes, and if you'll just state your name and zip code for the record. Uh, name's Paul K. Uh I live at 5504 Mills Glenn Lane Southeast Memphis off of State N Roaddale. My concerns is about the wind that road is state roadale traffic bags for miles 3:30 4:00 in the evening. That's my concerns.

Commissioner Brooks, did you want to speak to this? Go ahead. I I just wanted to ask a question. So, this item is approving an agreement with the solo county to cost share the ask for repairing of the state road. So, do you have an objection to that? And so can you talk about that? I have objection to it. Yes, sir. Okay. So, you're okay with paying with Shelby County paying half the cost to repay state line road? Yeah. Okay. Oh, that's good. You're good with that. You want them to pay the entire state line road.

State line road from Riverdale, I guess, to could go to Hacks Cross. Okay. We'll make sure that that's done. Correct. So, is there anyone here? Well, I'm going Thank you, Commissioner Brooks. I appreciate it. Information. Just a second. Um, I think your concern is about widening roads. Correct. Correct. All right. Um, that's not part of this item,

but if you will email me, uh, I'm happy to get with the public works director and the roads group and let you know paving plans and road winding plans and that type of stuff. Um, Commissioner Sugarman, did you have something else to address? Yes. And I just want to thank you um for coming down because I know you've talked to me as well other people about on the two-lane roads um as far as um widing it and this was opportunity for you to speak because I do know that on Wednesday when I spoke to them they talked about um repaving it and they were under the pressure that nobody was concerned about widening it and that was a concern and I just wanted to make sure that my constituents in my district are heard and I'm glad that um commissioner um will come out and speak to you or um rapper will talk to you all and talk to us about the process and procedures. I think the engineer state on a Wednesday that the process takes about 10 to 15 years. I know we dealt with that with hacks cross and that will be widened I think the end of this year. So, it is a process and I will work with you as well as the engineer as well as Bradford to make sure we get on the agenda in line for the money. So, thank you for coming down.

Thank you. Appreciate it, Mr. Kade. Uh, Miss Williams is going to get you my contact information so we can reach out and follow up. Okay.

All right. Thank you. All right. The next card I have is Glenda Hicks and this is on item 15. Good afternoon. Glenda Hicks, 6L8 Gillies community advocate. So on items 15, I'm concerned that this process has just gone on and on uh in my research. This has been an issue since 2017 and here we are right at almost 10 years down the road. Still kicking this can down the road. I do not understand why funds would have been set aside to address the issue of showers in the jails. From comments I heard today, there are maybe two working showers. And I don't know how many of you commissioners have dove into that to see exactly what the situation is, but the fact of the matter is that we know that there are serious issues with 201 issues. So to take any funds from that effort and assign it to some other purpose I think is just inconsiderate and inhumane given the situations that exist even if it's 10 showers that can be repaired with these funds then that's what's needs to happen not to divert those funds to some other project that simply is not acceptable. We need to address the issue. We cannot keep kicking the can down the road. And then one other question that I do have

because of of a meeting that I was in on March 21st is why is it that the funds that were allotted for repairs to the juvenile detention center, why were those funds not sent with that process when the when the responsibility was transferred? Why did the funds not follow through commissioners? Why is it that that organization the uh Mr. Alexander, director Alexander sits without the funds that he should have in hand to fully operate that 146 facility. I understand that there are only 37 beds or sections available to actually house. That's not acceptable. So where is the money? I understand per Mayor Harris that those funds are still with Sheriff Lloyd Bonner and those funds need to follow that responsibility, please. All right. Thank you, Miss Hicks. Um, and that was item 16, I believe she was speaking on. All right. Um, Andrea Bell also on item 16. And again, you just your your name and zip code is all that we require.

Okay. Good evening. My name is Andrea Bell. I'm here to talk about item number 16. I am just going to let you know as a recent visitor to 2011 popular. I surveyed the horrible, deplorable, and in main conditions of the jail. You are amending the CIP budget to remove important resources from our jails. Whereas the residents live, cohabitate and shower every day in those facilities. Keep in mind that human life, whether you are homeless or a resident in our jail, is the most important. It is the commission responsibility to plan accordingly and maintain and now consider all funds available to rebuild this jail. When we wait to execute projects, the lost services the the lost time the time and money of services and materials increase. I understand it is very important for the training facility of course for lead abatement. However, you do know the jail was built in 1970s. If you have visit the showers, the showers are crumbling. Towel back in those days were built with asbestous. So you consider when you have residents living showering every day in a possible asbestous contaminant. We are saying that we are negligent. It is a detriment. It will be a detrimental blow to Shelby County if we have lawsuits arise from this. I ask you not to move funds to another project, but add on to any funds that's

needed to help with our jail crisis. I understand we need funds to undertake the firearms project. Find it somewhere else, please. So, your vote today will tell me some main things. Your vote on this resol resolution today will show your true moral compass and how you genuinely are committed to equitable humane treatment of our residents in the Shelby County Jail. Also, because I'm not coming up here again, I would like to say no to 51. I hope the commissioners have a great day. Thank you.

Commissioner Wley, did you respond. Yeah, thank thank you, Vice Chairman Bradford. Um, just trying to understand, we had a little bit of we had a few misplaced resolutions on the agenda in committee that should have come through budget. This one looks like it I know it didn't come through budget. Uh, and just trying to understand maybe Commissioner Wright can help me help me understand why this didn't because this item in my opinion is you a anytime you amend the budget, you've got to bring it through budget and finance. So maybe you can help me why we didn't do that. Commissioner Wright, I don't know if you have a response. Go ahead if you do.

Um, Mr. Vice Chair, I am not sure. I know there were several resolutions that the parliamentarian directed us of that um concern. I'm not sure if this was one of the ones that got kicked I don't think it was one of the ones that got kicked over to budget. Um, so I would be immuneable to doing that if if you feel we need to do that. Yeah. So, if you know which ones it is when we go to the screen here in a second and start pulling off the consent, if you would pull those and then we can get it corrected. Yeah. Yeah, I think we can. Well, we we can pull it and then if we want to refer to Exactly. Okay.

All right. I have one more appearance card. Um, and that is for item number 38. Uh, I believe this is Mr. uh Errol Lindsay. I apologize if I mispronounced. you'll come down, correct me on your name, and give us your zip code, and then uh you'll have three minutes.

Thank you. It's Aaron Litzy. Uh I'm an educator. They always said I'd be a doctor because my handwriting was so bad, but apparently um it's true. Uh once again, thank you. Uh good evening, commissioners. Uh thank you for the opportunity to stand before you today. My name is Aaron Litzy and I represent Urban Promise 901, an organization serving youth across 12 zip codes in Memphis and Shelby County. Last year we were here, Commissioner Brandon Morrison honored my daughter and her work with her image through Urban Promise on last year right about this time before she graduated from Hutcherson and is now at Spellelman College. And I'm so grateful uh that I want to be clear about the work that Urban Promise 101 does. Uh it's not just youth programming. It's unique. I think Commissioner Thornton asked us uh last year, what's different about your organization? Uh this is not this is not just youth programming. It's public safety work. Public safety doesn't start with policing. It starts with preparation. The data shows that the hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. are when juvenile crime peaks. Why? Because young people are unsupervised, unengaged, and without direction. We exist to eliminate that gap. At Urban Promise 901, we don't just keep kids busy, we prepare them for life. Starting as early as age 10, students identify their career paths. They're matched with mentors in those various paths. They job shadow and they build a clear plan for life after high school. Because one of the most dangerous seasons in a young person's life is not just after school, it's after graduation when they have no plan. My grandmother said, "An idle mind is the devil's workplace and idle time is the enemy." Structured opportunity is the solution. We close that gap. Right now, we're actively serving 100 plus students, impacting 200 to 300 youth through targeted initiatives and

reaching families across multiple districts, not just one. And here's what makes us different. Our students don't just receive, they give back. They serve in food distributions. They serve in community service. They become contributors. not just consumers. That's how you build safer communities. Here's the reality. Research shows that every dollar invested in youth development leadership saves up to five to $9 in future cost related to crime, incarceration, and social services. So, this is not charity. This is strategy. This is prevention. This is return on investment. We're not an expense. We are a costsaving strategy. We're grateful for the commissioners who have already supported us, but our reach spans across this county. And if you want different outcomes in crime, you got to invest upstream in young people. So tonight, we're asking you, don't just fund programs, fund outcomes. Don't just address crime, prevent it. Invest in Urban Promise 901. And you are investing in safer neighborhoods, stronger families, and a generation that is prepared, not lost. Thank you for your time, commissioners, your leadership, and your commitment to Shelby County. At Urban Promise 901, we don't just change moments, we change trajectories.

Thank you, Mr. Lindsay. All right. Uh, I do have one more comment card. U, this is Wayne Ingram, I think, on item number 41. If you'll just come to the microphone, state your name and zip code, and you'll have three minutes. chairman chairman district 10 Wayne Ingram president CEO of the national tourism heritage association I had the privilege to speak to the commission on this past Wednesday and I'd just like to share with you two of our modules again one caregivers and caregiving training and educating to prepare all our communities ities for future health development concerns. Those future health communities training, educational, caregiving concerns is because we cannot build enough hospitals. We cannot build enough hospitals. The community must be trained and educated concerning caregiving and caregivers that they will step in when a patient leaves the hospital. Character education. Our research concerning caregivers and caregiving is based on the volume of patients in our health system. Caregiving is not just a senior question but all ages are impacted. A family is leaving a health institution as we speak who may not have vital resource information. Our educational effort is a stop gap. We must do this together.

charity education and cultural exposure. I have been working with future business leaders of America for the last 25 years. White station is part of my system. Mrs. car. We believe in working with future business of leaders of America to teach them how to properly shake hands, look someone directly in the eye, proper properly dress, and all prepare also prepare them for their local and state and national contest. In fact, we've had national winners from White Station. The character education culture exposure module is proposing that students from prek to high school and their parents be invited to participate and setting a tone we have labeled good morning. We are asking each commissioner to consider having both of these modules to fit in their district. These two modules are what we call shoe one shoe fit all. Character education fit every child. Character education fit every parent. Caregiving and care training fit every district, every city council district in the in Memphis and Shelby County. One shoe fit all. Someone on this council, someone on this commission today have parents, children who are needing caregiving. Well, what do we do? Do we do it pre-training or post-training? Our solution is pre-training. We must be ready not to react to caregiving, but pre-training for caregiving. These two models are

available in White Haven, Orange Mound, downtown, Frasier, Militin, Midtown, Hickory Hill. It is what we call north, east, west, and south. Mr. Ingram, your time has expired. If you could wrap up real quick, please.

I'll wrap up by saying this. When I started working for the Shelby County government in 1976, I was trained to make this speech. by the first Shelby County Mayor, Roy C. Nixon. I thank you for this opportunity to give this talk and and we appreciate if any commissioner feel like they should support this uh modules. We would appreciate your grant. Thank you.

All right. Thank you, Mr. Ingram. All right, commissioners. To remind you where we are, we have uh had a few minutes to look at the um consent agenda. We have had speakers uh on items eight, uh two speakers on item 16, a speaker on item 38, and a speaker on item 41. So, if anyone wants to pull those as well, and then I think Commissioner Why has a couple that we'll pull and possibly go back to budget. So, uh to the queue, Commissioner uh Clay Bibs, did you have some you wanted to pull?

Yes, sir, Mr. Vice Chair. 30 38, which you've already said, and 44. That one's items 38 and 44. All right, Commissioner Lowry. Thank you, Chair. Apologize. Uh, items 22. Item 28, item 29. You did say 38 and 44. Yes, that's correct. Thank you. All right. So, that was items 22, 28, 29, and 38, and 44 have already been pulled. Commissioner Wright.

Yes, Mr. Vice Chair, please. Uh, can we pull items 17 and 46? All right, we're adding 17 and 46 to the list. Uh, Commissioner Thornton. Thank you, Chair. Can you pull items 9, 10, 12, 16, and 41? I've got 9, 10, 12, 16, and 41. All right. Uh, Commissioner Brooks. I'm 11, please.

All right. Item 11. All right. Uh, Commissioner Why? Okay. Uh, should I sort through the ones that were already old? Item 26 31 and 33.

All right. So, commissioners, correct me because I'm probably going to skip one. All right. I've got items 9, 10, 11, 12, uh, 15, and 16 I think have to be pulled for the budget related issue. 17, um, 22, 26, 28, 29, 33, 41, and 46. And 44. I think you missed 31.

I missed 31. Okay. And 31. Which one? Yes. 11 has been pulled. Do you need to know who pulled it? Who pulled 11? Who pulled number 11? Commissioner Brooks pulled 11. Thank you.

All right. You got it. Parliamentarian, I think. All right. Will you read the consent agenda excluding all of those items?

Yes, sir. Item eight comes from the budget and finance committee which is chaired by Commissioner Whley. Item eight is a resolution amending the FY2026 operating budget and approving an intergovernmental agreement with Dotto County to cashier 5050, the asphalt repair and repaving of State Line Road. This item does not require an appropriation of county funds sponsored by Commissioner David C. Bradford Jr. Item 13 comes from the Hospitals and Health Committee which is chaired by Commissioner Clay Biz. Item 13 is a resolution to approve a cooperatives piggyback purchase agreement with Moors and Dixon Co. LLC for pharmaceutical products and related services for Shelby County government utilizing the state of Tennessee Department of General Services contract for pharmacy price discounts through the Minnesota Multi-state Contracting Alliance for Pharmacy infuse in an amount not to exceed $199,979.14 beginning upon execution until June 30th, 2026 with an option to renew for two additional years beginning July 1st through June 30th. This item requires expenditure of FY2026 general funds in a total amount not to exceed $199,979 14 sponsored by Commissioner Mlay Biz. Item 14 comes from the law enforcement corrections and courts committee which is chaired by Commissioner Wright. Item 14 is a resolution receiving and filing the report of the judicial commissioner program as required by Tennessee code annotated section 40-11. sponsored by Commissioner Mc Wright. Items 18 and 19 come from the general government committee which is chaired by Commissioner Brooks. Item 18 is a resolution approving the election of no public for appointment and or reappoint for Shelby County, Tennessee, sponsored by Commissioner Henry E. Brooks. Item 19

is a resolution to amend the board of county commissioners permit rules of order pro rule 12 to institute censorship procedures in the event a commissioner's conduct is determined to be disruptive and to amend rule four to allow the chair of the board of county commissioners to remove members of the public in the event the conduct is determined by the chair to be disruptive. Sponsored by Commissioner Muel Lowry. Item 20 comes from the core city neighborhoods and housing committee which is chaired by Commissioner Brooks. Item 20 is a resolution approving the sale of 35 county owned delinquent tax parcels required by Shelby County from various Shelby County tax sales to identified purchasers at various prices collectively totaling $185,15 pursuant to Tennessee code annotated section 67-5-2507 and authorizing the Shelby County Mayor to exe execute quick claim deeds sponsored by Commissioner Henry E. Brooks. Item 21 comes from the facilities real property and capital improvements committee which is chaired by commissioner Wright. Item 21 is a resolution to receive revenue and grant a transmission line easement 150 footwide containing 69 acres more or less over and across a strip of Shelby County owned land located in the second civil district of Shelby County, Tennessee as shown on sheet 12 of US-Tva LV. 393 revision 14 to the United States of America for the amount of $13,000 for permanent easement for transmission line rights. Funds collected from grant of easement will be allocated to revenue account 010-307501-4601. This item does not require appropriation or expenditure of any county funds sponsored by Commissioner David C. Bradford Jr. and Commissioner Mcright. Items 23,

24, 25, 27, 30, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, and 40, 42, 43, 45, 47 through 49. Come from the Milton Community Enhancement Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell as vice chair. Item 23 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY 2026 operating budget in the amount of 1 million, excuse me, $1,500 to Cross Town Radio Partnership, DBA WYXR91.7 FM, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $1,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Muel Lowry. Item 24 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $2,000 to Elements of Life, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $2,000 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program grant fund sponsored by Commissioner Muel Lowry. Item 25 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY 2026 operating budget in the amount of $10,000 to the Collierville Chamber of Commerce, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $10,000 from the Milton Community Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner David C. Bradford Jr. Item 27 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $10,000 to Leadership Collierville, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $10,000 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner David C. Bradford Jr. Item 30 is a resolution warning county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of 500 to a fresh start to a new beginning, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $2,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement

Program grant fund. Item 32 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $2,500 to Restoration Time Family and Youth Services, Inc., a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $2,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program grant fund sponsored by Commissioner Muel Lowry. Item 34 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $2,500 to the We All Brew, Inc., a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $2,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Muel Lowry. Item 35 is a resolution warning county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $2,500 to Oreium Theater Group, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $2,500 to the Oreium Theater Group, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $2,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Mikuel Lowry. Item 36 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $2,500 to Yellow T Rose Foundation of Memphis, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $2,500 for the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Muel Lowry. Item 37 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $5,000 to Operation Taking Back 901, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $5,000 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program grant fund sponsored by Commissioner Muel Lowry. Item 39 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY 2026 operating budget in the amount of $12,500 to Alzheimer's and Dementia Services of Memphis, Inc., a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $12,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Msa

Clay Bibs and Commissioner Mikuel Lowry. Item 40 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $7,500 to Bivo boys fitness academy a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $7,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program grant fund sponsored by Commissioner of Mlay Biz. Item 42 is a resolution warning county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $7,500 to Unique Community Salvation Foundation, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $7,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Msa Clay Bibs and Commissioner Charlie Caswell Jr. This item was amended in March 25th, 2026 committee meeting. Item 43 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $2,500 to Music Export Memphis, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $2,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund. sponsored by Commissioner Muel Lowry. Item 45 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $7,500 to Gloria Jean Transitional Housing, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $7,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Miss Biz. Item 47 is a resolution warning county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $2,500 to know thy worth, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $2,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program grant fund sponsored by Commissioner Henry E. Brooks. Item 48 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY246 operating budget in the amount of $24,500 to Blue City Community Reinvestment Corporation, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $24,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by

Commissioner of Michael Whley, Commissioner Henry E. Brooks, Commissioner Erica Sugarman, and Commissioner Charlie Caswell Jr. This item was amended in March 25th, 2026 committee meeting. Item 49 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $16,500 to Specialty Performance Training, Inc., DBA Memphis Wielding School, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $16,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Charlie Caswell Jr. and Commissioner Henry E. Brooks. This item was amended in March 25th, 2026 committee meeting.

Thank you. All right, I'm looking for a motion and a second on the consent agenda. All right, we have a motion from Commissioner Lowry, a second from Commissioner Why. If we could take this to a vote commissioners, if you'll vote, everybody's had an opportunity to vote. We can tally the results. We have eye votes from Commissioner Wley, Caswell, Sugarman, Salai, Wright, Thoron, Morrison, Brooks, Li, Vice Chair Rafford. We have 10 I votes.

Thank you. The consent agenda passes. It is shalai. Shalai. Thank you, Commissioner. Shalai. Shalai. Shalai. All right. Thank you for uh the consent agenda. Uh I believe the first item pulled from the consent agenda is number nine. So, if we could hear number nine.

Item nine comes from the budget and finance committee which is chaired by Commissioner Whley. Item nine is a resolution amending the FY2026 operating budget and approving a contract with Standard Construction Company, Inc. to commence upon execution and continue for 120 days in the amount of $6,253,25120 for state aid asphalt resurfacing. $321,60.92 for engineering inspection and testing costs for a total amount of 6,574,31212 and approving grant agreements with the Tennessee Department of Transportation. This item requires the appropriation of FY2026 state aid grant funds in the amount of 5,520,78388 and roads and bridges funds in the amount of 1,53,52824 a total appropriation of 6,574,31212 sponsored by Commissioner David C. Bradford Jr.

Thank you. This item was moved by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Commissioner Caswell. We discussed this at the committee. I don't see anybody in the queue. So, let's take up commissioner Thor.

Thank you, chair. I just wanted to um because of its amount uh make sure that there was some type of discussion on the floor today um and call everyone's attention to the public, you can look into the documents that are attached. So for this particular one, the report at the very end in red, it says that there were 77 vendors who were directly solicited, 35 local, five non-local. Um 25 of them were local with an expiration of their BRN, 10 non-local with an expiration of their BRN, and there were three local vendors that submitted their proposals. Um and so this particular item had no LOSB participation goal set. And I'm not sure I know that um is this something that director Glouester or um someone from EOCC could answer. I have a question specifically just about participation goals um and why there was no goal set on this particular item. So this was awarded to a local vendor. Good afternoon, commissioners. Uh James Gloss, administrative purchases. So for this particular uh bid, it didn't have a goal because it's fally state funded and there's no goals on that. And also if it's a commodity, there's no goal.

Okay. So no goals on commodities. And so are you saying that if it's a federal or state funded um item that there would never be able to be a goal set as far as the policies dates go? No. Okay. And previously for this particular item um did we use the same vendor? same vendor as far as I know we went through seal bid process to select a vendor and just you know just to refresh us as we go into budget season the seal bid process say more about what that entails

James Ross administrative p person so the bid goes out it's solicited to the vendors and they have the opportunities to bid uh once they bid we um go through the process and open the bids uh vendors either in person or on the phone uh to kind of go through that process. So, we do not open the bids until a certain date and time and make sure all the vendors everyone's on the phone or in person. So, we read through all of the uh information of the be that's how be processed. Thank you for that. When it comes to the fact that there were three local vendors that submitted proposals, I know in the past we've talked about the scorecards. Are those included in Homebase? I didn't see those.

Uh James cost administrative person. There's not a scorecard process with seal beads. It's strictly uh the best uh lowest and best be the price as far as pricing goes. So, if we wanted to know who the other two local vendors are, what do we need to do? Well, I know the department has that information and also depending on who it is, they have to do a public records request to get that information on depending on who's requesting the information. So, just for clarity, can the public go to figure out who all submitted proposals? Yes, they can get their information from the bid and then they also can get a public records request request right now to get that information. The first option was what you said they can submit a for public records request

and then that's the only option they have to be able to get the information right now. Yes. for the if they participated in the be they have the information they've been they have received letters and communication after the be if they were part of the be but if they were not a part of the bid they would have to do a public records request to get that information I'm out of time I'll get back in chair thank you right commissioner Thoron Commissioner Brooks uh Mr. Did I miss your name? Did I say your name correctly? Gloster. Yes.

Okay. I thought I did. Um, just one question. Did I hear you correctly? Uh, when you said that there are there are no policies regarding adding goals to uh state and federal contracts that come down to us. You said policy, right? Yeah. based on those there's okay those policies there's not

so if it's a policy that means we can change it if it's just a policy that's there's so I guess the question then the correct question is are there any statutes that say that any state law as opposed to policy policy we can fix that right well it's more state law it's more of a state those in, but I have to confirm exactly what those are, but it's more state policy is more state law. Okay. Um, I need to direct this to the uh county attorney.

One, two, three, four. Attorney's office. Well, I'm inquiring about uh this. There's no locally owned small business go on this. answered my colleague the fact that um you know no there's the policy the state and federal policy is that you do not put goals on these kind of contracts. So my question is is a policy just a policy then we can fix that. We can change that. Now that's different from statute.

Well and and I don't have the statute in front of me but it is not policy. It's in fact law. We're not allowed to attach goals to federal or state awards. Those contracts come to us for acceptance or Okay. Um in the time remaining. So when we talk about goals, we're talking about mainly numbers, right? As opposed to just seeing locallyowned small business specifying that, right? There's a difference. Is it not?

Megan Smith County Attorney's Office. Yes, there can be a difference. We have a locally owned small business program. There are differences in the policies, programs, statutes, They do. I'm moving away from policy and statute now. I'm just going to goals which equate in my mind to numbers versus a program that prioritizes locally owned small businesses without attaching a number. Does that make sense? Prioritizing locally owned small businesses.

So change person. So, we do have our sheltered market process that focuses on uh the LOSBs uh within the community, but that's at a certain threshold. So, that's like from 5,000 49,999 that um you have to focus on the LSBs first. If you have three, at least three in the system, you have to purchase from a locally owned small small business. But that's a certain threshold. Uh I'm I'm out of time. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Brooks. Commissioner Thordon.

Thank you, Chair. Um, are there any subcontracts? So, when we see that the majority of this is going towards construction costs in excess of $6 million, who are the subcontractors that will be used in this particular item?

I'll defer to My name is Jim Crook. I work for the Shelby County Engineering Department. Uh we're not aware of the subcontractors until we have a pre-construction meeting and the contracts been signed. So when we get the signed and approved contract, we have a precon and it's required in our agenda that the contractors submit their subcontractors. So, yeah, that just it doesn't make sense to me. And I just at this point I just want to appeal to the public. Um I see Miss Glenda Hicks in the audience. There has to be more oversight. At this point, we're talking about $6 million here. And when we talk about the repeal NWBE, there were on these type of items and others subcontractors that now are just getting lost in the process. We don't ask the questions. We're just moving the dollars with or without them. And I am constantly told that, you know, I need to exercise the utmost discretion because of our fear of litigation. What about our fear of not moving the dollars anymore um within our community when we knew we were already doing a significant unspend. So, I just want to know when local contractors are falling off the radar. Um, and I'm starting to receive more and more um texts and calls and appeals from people who were previously doing business through with the county that are now having their contracts and subcontracts be jeopardized because of the change in legislation. So, I just want to put this body and just say we're silent on an issue that is directly impacting people that look like the majority of the people in this body. We are not asking enough questions and people are literally being worked out of contracts that they previously had a little bit of access to because there was legislation requiring that they actually be brought to the table. So I don't know what needs to happen. It's at

the we pass that point of pushing back as a county. But this is completely um impacting local um businesses just because we see local. It doesn't fix the previous issue that we clearly saw on the floor was pressing in Shelby County. We had a local spend issue. We had a another issue that I will not name, but please read behind the lines here and it still remains and it's only being exacerbated by the fact that we can't even speak about it on the floor. So um you're saying if I as a commissioner today want to know who the previous subcontractors were that um were used on a contract because we're talking about asphalt resurfacing engineering. I'm assuming that this is in the first contract of its kind particularly awarded to this particular business. Can we compare? I'm just curious pre-execution of legislation, post execution, who the subcontractors were just for the public scrutiny. If I wanted to do that, this is to legal or purchasing who can answer what would the process be for me to get that information to see um the differences in some of our top contracts and this is definitely one. If we can identify contracts of interest, we're happy to pull those records and see if it can be done in a format that works. But oftent times the records are paper files or PDFs, but we're happy to pull that information.

Okay. And just chair, if I just one additional question, you mentioned that the subcontractors haven't been selected yet. Is there a time period because I really just want to compare previous subcontractors to the current subcontractors on this particular project. Um how would how long do we need to wait for them to be selected and identified to the government?

It uh depends. So going forward, say the resolution is approved and then the time it takes for us to get the signed resolution and then to submit the contracts for signature by the mayor. Um, I would estimate probably a month for the the whole process for the contract and resolution for it all to be approved and then we can give the contractor a notice proceed to start. So about a month. Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Brooks.

Just one last observation here. Um, if the attorney, one of our county attorneys, could please request an opinion uh from the state attorney general regarding the application of our LSO program to state vote contracts. I just need a legal opinion because it seems like something is missing here because if we continue to do this and I'm noticing we're getting more and more piggyback contracts and and that's from the state. The more piggyback contracts you get, it eliminates locally owned small businesses. If that's if that in fact is the policy or or statute we must follow. So we need to AG's opinion on the application of LSOB program to these state and federal contract.

Megan Smith County Attorney's Office. While that would be helpful, I I do not expect to be able to make a request or receive a response as we are not clients the AG's office. We have attempted to seek some guidance in the past and it the AG's office will respond to questions from his own clients. So I guess then the answer is for me to contact my state representative and ask for an opinion. Okay. Thank you. Anything further, Commissioner Brooks? Oh no.

All right. See no other commissioners in the queue. Let's take this item to a vote. Right. All commissioners have the opportunity to vote. Please, please reveal the results. We have eye votes from Commissioner Whe bibs Caswell Mills Wright Li Vice Sheriff Bradford Commissioner Sugarman Thoron Brooks abstain. We have seven eyes, three abstain.

Thank you. That item passes. Uh commissioners, we're going to go a little out of order. I'm going to jump to item 53. Uh this is the one dealing with the private acts. Please read item 53. Item 53 comes from the general government committee which is chaired by Commissioner Brooks. Item 53 is a resolution of the board of Shelby County Commissioners requesting the general assembly of the state of Tennessee enact a private act to amend chapter 131 of private acts of 1969 as amended relative to the privilege tax upon hotel occupancy in Shelby County, Tennessee. sponsored by chairwoman Shante K Aant and Commissioner Eric. This item was an add-on in March 25th, 2026 committee meeting.

Thank you. This item has move been moved by Commissioner Why, seconded by Commissioner Thornton, Commissioner Brooks on a committee report. This item was sit down. I'm sorry. This was an add-on. Yes, it was an addon and u it was sit down without recommendation. Excuse me. I'm here in Thank you, Commissioner Brooks. Um, I'm going to turn over to the attorney's office, see if you all have any additional comments on this item.

Marley Iverson, County Attorney. Um, I asked for this to be brought as soon as possible at at this meeting because I'd like to get that information to the state legislative affairs people who are working on this in Nashville. So that's why I asked the chair to advance it. All right. I don't see any commissioners in the queue. Commissioner Thor, go ahead. Thank you, Chair. Can you just expound upon the urgency and just the nature of this item?

Marley Iverson, County Attorney. Um the urgency is because the general assembly is winding down and the sooner we can get this passed without um we don't know what happens at the state level. So we want to get it to them so that whatever other issues might come up we can work those out before they adjourn. And how does this positively impact Shelby counties? It would allow the funding revenue stream that we currently use to fund um FedEx forum work to continue so that we not have to use general fund dollars in L of this tax. Thank you.

All right. Thank you, Commissioner Torton. See no other commissioners in the queue. Let's take this item to a vote. All right, let's uh reveal the results. We have eye votes from Commissioner Wley, Fle, Bibs, Caswell, Sugarman, Mills, Shalai, Wright, Thorton, Brooks, Li, Vice Chair Bradford. We have 11 I votes.

Thank you. That item passes. All right. Now, we'll go back to I believe item number 10. Item 10 comes from the budget and finance committee which is chaired by Commissioner Whley. Item 10 is a resolution to amend and increase the FY2026 general fund operating budget for the Shelby County Health Department West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center for the purpose of increasing the service provider contract with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in the amount of $6,65,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed 10,27,115 beginning July 1, 2025 through June 30th, 2026. This requires the appropriation and expenditure of FY2026 general funds in the amount of $6,65,000 not to exceed 10,27,15 sponsored by Commissioner Msa Clay Biz.

Thank you. That item was moved by Commissioner Sugarman, second by Commissioner Caswell. Uh Commissioner Whe it came with a favorable recommendation. All right. Thank you, Commissioner Thornton. Thank you, chair. Um, first I'll say the regional forensic center. What's the status of this particular project? Dr. Bruce Randall, Chevy County Health Department, uh, director, interim director. What was your question again? What's the status of this project? The status? Yes. The forensic center.

The forensic center is currently operate. That's facility where we conduct autopsis and investigations. And how long has it been operating? For years exactly. I don't know. I think that's a responsibility of the county to provide a facility for the medical examiner. So I imagine that the medical examiner uh has been a uh function for many years. Does this particular The forensic center doesn't do anything related to rape kits, does it?

No, it's different. This this facility is designed to one perform medical exams as it relates to autopsies and investigations, provide services uh for the uh court, law enforcement, public health um activities as well.

And the need Can you just clearly um help me understand the increase in the service provider contract? What is the increase? So the the in we're asking that we increase the total amount by 6 million 65,000. the back in June 2025, the commission passed a resolution that will increase the uh funding to 10 million dollars more, but only five million soul was included. We're under the oper the understanding that we could come back later to request the additional amount and that total amount is what the uh University of Tennessee Health Science Center requested in order to provide the services that we needed because it was uh determined that the current amount was not sufficient to cover all the expenses. So, are we talking about personnel coverage or what? For $6 million, how are we able to operate a forensic center at a certain level of I guess standard? And now that we're putting the $6 million increase into motion, what exactly is that getting us? Chair, thank you. Audrey Typton, director of administration and finance. Uh I'll just back up a little bit. Uh the uh forensic center, the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center, we've had the contract with UT Health Science Centers. Uh I think it's since 2014 is when we actually went into the official contract with them and they

perform, as Dr. Randolph stated all of our autopsies and any investigations that we have uh or you know anytime you have uh questionable deaths anything like that that's where all of that is performed. Uh we have some autopsies that are performed there from other uh municipalities or regions around uh Memphis. So uh that's why it's the West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center. The amount that is being paid Health Science Center has not changed uh I think since 2014 and we started negotiations last year uh to increase the amount that they need in order to run the forensic center. And when you're talking about the cost involved, you've got uh five or six pathologists that work there. You've got all of the technicians. You've got all of the staff and they perform all of the autopsies and do all of the investigations. And as we all know how many uh deaths we have here in the mids south, all of those things run through the forensic center. So we've been talking about increasing uh this contract for the last year and now we finally come to this amount as the increase uh it was not the total amount of the contract was not included in the budget uh for FY26 uh because of uh some other items we put in the budget but it was understood that we would be coming back to the commission in order to fulfill the um obligation of this contract. Go ahead, Commissioner Thordon.

Thanks, Chair. Um, thank you for that, Director Typton. So, I'm looking at the attachments, particularly the budget. Can you just direct me to where can I see an itemization of the 6 million in the items in home base? Do you know off hand? Because in budget, I just see something that doesn't look to total to 6 million. Um the current budget and revised budget seem to have the same figures. I'm just trying to figure out, you know, if this is something to amend what was set in motion in 20 the 2014 contract. I heard you say, what exactly is the $6 million? Where is the $6 million need? Where can we see that as a public trying to view these documents?

Dr. Bruce Randolph, interim director, SH County Health Department. So what that is is a oneline item, but it is uh part of the addendum to the contract that was passed and signed back in I'm gonna stop you right there. A oneline item for $6 million. Absolutely not. Someone has to make this clear because right now I just as a taxpaying citizen, I don't know what's going on. Right. So it include salaries. So don't tell me verbally. I want to be able to direct my constituents to documents in our system. Where are those documents?

Audrey Typton, director of administration and finance. This is a contract with UT Health Science Center. It is under the professional services in the uh health department's budget and it is one line. We pay UT Health Science Center and they have the operation. They would have all of the detail that you're looking for as far as salaries and all of the supplies and all of that. But it is one line for us in our budget.

Okay. So, if they have it, why don't the citizens of Shelby County have it? What would it take for us as a requirement? Because in this particular item, we have what, eight different items that are attached. What would it cost to be able to give us an itemization of the $6 million? I'm just going to at this point appeal to the commission. I don't think we need to pass it without extra added information. It literally is just an item line that says $6 million to increase services. You have no clue. Nobody up here can tell me what exactly the 6 million is going for. Are we getting a hundred new custodians? Are we getting five new um medical examiners? Like what are what are we doing here? We can't say with specificity. And I just it's really really concerning to me that we don't have more information for $6 million. So all I'm asking for is what exists just put it in home base and it's my understanding that we don't retroactively add that information. So if it's in your hand but it's not in the actual portal then that's a problem. So I would like to make a motion to send this back to committee so that we can get the added information so that we can move forward with full transparency for the public.

All right. Got a motion from Commissioner Thornton to send this back to committee. I have a second. All right. I've got a second from Commissioner Clay Bibs. Any opposed?

Are you opposed or you just want more discussion? More discussion because I like this because again this is something that's been 14 years. You all can give us any clarity of the service. I understand the contract with UT, but if you can make it in it more clearer why we've been doing this for 14 years with with the University of Tennessee and what the services they providing and and if you call them just make it a little more clear. I understand standard service is not the lab that we gave to the VA but this is a sep separate situation. So you can make that clear.

Dr. Bruce Randolph, interim director, Chev County Health Department. Let me clarify what we're dealing with here. I wasn't part of the negotiations, but what I've learned pretty much UT said $5 million is not enough for them to continue to provide services. Therefore, it was agreed upon that this was the amount that they needed, $10 million to continue the services. So what we're at, my understanding that it came down to the end of a contract, the end of June 2025 where the current contract was ended and pretty much was faced with in order for us to renew this contract, this is what the county would have to pay. It was agreed upon by the by the commission that we would pay this amount total 10 million so dollars because to recruit the number of pathologists that's needed to perform this service. other operating expenditures. That is what the market is called is requires. On top of that, one reason we agreed to the extension was to allow for us to issue another RFP.

We issued it. No biders. We issued it again and the only bidder was the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. And part of that was because of the no biders was because of what we were offering. $5 million was not enough to provide the services that they could not recruit forensic pathologists to come to Memphis and work for the amount they were paying. So they had to increase the salaries. So that's that's why that's why we're here today. So the amount of money that was agreed upon by the body, by the commissions, the commissioners, it's $10 million, but only five million or so was added into the budget. Now it's time for us to pay the rest. And so that's why we're coming to the commission to request the additional amount that is due contractually that we've already committed to. And so this is why we would stand here today requesting this.

Okay. Just to remember where we are. Commissioner Thornton's made a motion to move this back to the assume the April 8th committee. I've had a second from Bibs. We've had additional discussion at this point. And I really don't have an objection on this going back to committee. Um, and so we can keep discussing it here if we want to. Um, or we can send it back to committee. I've got two other commissioners in the queue. Um, Commissioner Bibs, you were I think on this origin, so I'm going let you speak and then Commissioner Wright, did you want to speak on this? Uh, okay.

Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, I I spoke up about it going back to committee for for this reason. I'm not questioning the dollar amount because I followed that part. But if I'm hearing correctly, what's not being answered is what are we paying for? That's the simple document. I think that's all that we want. We want a simple document stating I know it's a line item. I know that it's the six million in order to pay the total contract. We're just asking what are we paying for? I don't think that's we should not have to like go back and forth about asking what are we paying for. Mr. Chairman. Yes, sir.

Harold Collins, chief administrative officer. Thank you for the question, Commissioner. I appreciate that. What we're paying for is for the ability to do autopsies uh on a regular basis here in Shelby County. What we know, all of us should know that Shelby County does more autopsies than any other region in our state, including we do autopsies from other western counties in our community. And so we partner or in this case contract with the University of Tennessee because they have the experts to do this. And so we can't as a county go and employ our very own medical examiner because it is far more expensive. And so what we have done over the last several years is contract with the University of Tennessee so that they can perform these autopsies so that one homicides can be solved by the Memphis Police Department and law enforcement. Two, the cause of death of persons who are being treated by the medical examiner persons can get their death certificates. And three, we can maintain some sense of, for lack of a better term, order on the diseases because the autopsies and the medical examiner does all of these things for us, for our county, and we pay for that.

Thank you. Um, Mr. Collins. So, in my last minute here, I think that's just all we wanted to hear that, but if I understood correctly, there was asking for a simple document to be able to stay fat. We understand it from the budget process, but this side of it. We're trying to also walk the community along the way with us as to why we make the purchases that we make. No. So, if we're saying we're partnering with UT, excellent. We know that we can't do the work, but the citizens should know why we partner with UT. And I think that's the disconnect here. Yes, ma'am. We we if you need a copy of the contract, now the contract has already been executed. Okay. based on the premise that

the C commission would we would come back before this commission and ask you to restore the the other funding that was lacked. Now I can tell you that the University of Tennessee has been doing their work based on the contract that we agreed to. And so that's why we're here today one because they've sent us a letter saying hey listen you know we're doing our work we got to pay all these pathologists and all these technicians. what are you all doing?

Understandable and I do understand Dr. Randolph coming in and kind of in the middle of a lot of this. So, he's trying to close the gap on that. But I think sometimes because we're in the work every day, we think that everyone else understands it. We also got to remember we need the listening public and the community to be able to walk along the way with us. If we need a document, let's go ahead and get everyone the document. We We'll make sure you get the document on the contract. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Thank you. All right. Trying to wrap this up. So, we've got a motion on the floor by Thornton to send this back to committee. Still have a second from Bibs. Technically, we still don't have an objection. We are in the discussion, I guess. Uh, Commissioner Wright. Yeah, I'll object so that I can speak on this. Now, speak on it.

Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Um, so I looked I looked this up. It was June 2nd of 2025 that we passed the contract or at least the contract extension. It was a 12month extension. um and that amount was that 10 million 27 whatever that we're talking about. So I guess the question is, you know, if we had a concern with the contract, we should have raised that last June, but now we're talking about I guess there's confusion here because we're talking about uh increasing the service provider contract. And I'm not sure that that's technically true, but we're we're not increasing the contract because we already approved it. or increasing the budget. Um but and so I guess that would for me that would raise a new concern which is that we have yet another vendor category that that we're not paying that the county is not paying. So adding to prek classrooms not being paid now the forensic medical examiner is not being paid and that I see that as a pretty big issue. I hear from um bereieved spouses from time to time saying, "I need my death certificate to be completed so that our life insurance policy can pay out and I can and we can pay our bills." Um that's the last thing a grieving spouse needs to be dealing with. So, I'd like to see us take care of this if we can. I understand the request, but this it does seem to me that this is something that this body took care of nearly a year ago. Um but but we continue to have these budget issues that I don't quite understand. Mr. Chair.

All right. Thank you, Commissioner. Right. Uh Commissioner Brooks,

I want to go to um Director, I'm sorry, Tiff, did you not have a sheet of paper that list all of these budget items? 5 million worth. I think that's what we need to see on paper line by line. Exactly. We call whatever those items are that we're paying for. If we had a list of those item by item cost and director administration and finance. Yes, we do have a copy of the contract which does itemize all of the items that are being paid from the $10 million and we will provide that to that was not in the system. I thought it was attached to the resolution but maybe not. So, okay. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Brooks. Commissioner Thornton.

Thank you, Chair. You know, I appreciate what Commissioner Wright just said, but I have to just remind us that we talked so much, we spent so much in the Milton grant process talking about the disconnect, the disenfranchisement, the underserved, and the reality of that is is that if the information is not in the system, that's already a hurdle enough. It is so hard for people to have to go track down this information and their taxpaying dollars are so important to them that they really should be able to in any given moment be able to figure out what decisions we're making and exactly where the dollars are going. Leaving out information that is going to give them understanding about how $6 million is being added to and expended is just to me a disservice to the public. We're talking about just a simple um addition to the document. Somehow we were able to put eight different items in this particular item or attach it to this particular item, but we missed the most important one, which is itemizing what the $6 million is going for. So, you know, I do not believe that someone 10 years from now who has an interest in bidding against UT that they should be disered by us not putting information in at this moment. They should be able to see the information as they show interest in the particular item. Like that is a crucial piece to the puzzle and I just feel like it's a part of our fiduciary oversight to be able to provide the public with that simple information. How is the $6 million being expended? It should be attached to this item every single time it comes before this floor. And unfortunately, we don't see it. And I would like to see it added um through another round of discussion at committee. Thank you.

All right. We have a referral to the April 8th uh committee meeting by Commissioner Thornton. We have a second by Commissioner Clay Bibs. We have a objection by Commissioner Wright. So, we will take this item to a vote. A yes vote sends it back to committee on the 8th. A no vote keeps it on the floor here for further discussion. Voting today. Chair, this is Megan Smith, County Attorney's Office. Could I offer um a little bit of guidance through some of the documents before the vote? Certainly.

Okay. I'm a quick study, so this is a very bare bones explanation of what's before you, but ultimately what you have are a set of contract documents that serve as a gap between the end of the contract and what we hope to be a new contract July 1. It was stitched together through a series of extensions that you'll see marked in your supporting documents as 76842 3 and and the last one is a um purchase order document also marked three. In the document 7684-2, there is a bit of a breakdown. While I can appreciate exhibit C does not exactly track what we want it to say, and we will try to find the right document um for for the the resolution. Please draw your attention to page five of the 7684-2 where it explains that the increase in cost was the product of multiple renewals of an extension so that we could get to a new contract in the new fiscal year. That overhead is associated with a 26% increase in administrative costs to the forensic center. You'll see that both figures notated in sub paragraph D will add up to the $10 million that you're being asked to ultimately approve as the not to exceed amount. The gap between what the commission has already approved and what you're being asked to approve now is $6 million across those renewal documents. Ultimately, the department experienced a change in leadership in the middle of the process which does uh reflect in in some of the paperwork that you see, but you will have a new solid document to review in the coming months. This just gets us there.

Thank you. Thank you, Miss Smith. All right. I don't see any notion that Commissioner Thornton has wants to remove her um referral. So, let's take this item to a vote. Again, a yes vote means this will be heard again on April 8th. A no vote means we will take it up today. It's too late from our point of information.

Yes, ma'am. All right, all commissioners have had the opportunity to vote. Let's tally the results. We have no votes from Commissioner Wley, Caswell, Sugarman, Mills, Shalai, Wright, Marson, Brooks, Vice Tre, Bradford. We have 10 no votes. Nine no votes. Sorry.

All right. So, the referral fails. It's back on the floor in front of us. Commissioner Thornton, are you in the queue to speak again? I am. Go ahead.

Thank you, Chair. So, just for clarity, I should have caught Director Typton before. Um, Attorney Smith, you spoke you spoke on this. So, exhibit C budget, what exactly is that supposed to tell us as it relates to the caption? Megan Smith County Attorney's Office. As I as I review all the documents in the system, I would say let me find the right exhibit C. But the information that should be in exhibit C does appear in the other attachments in terms of the increase. Renewals do often have the impact of increased cost because they are outside an RFP and really it's it's its own mini negotiation. So that conversation is actually in the 7864-2 which notes a 26% increase in some administrative costs due to the short period of time that it covers.

So the figures in this exhibit C, they don't come anywhere near 5 million or 6 million. And so it would just be helpful. Honestly, if I were, you know, a taxpaying citizen, this particular item is is all over the place in terms of the information provided. Even going back to what you just referenced, um, when we zoom in to look at the original contract that's listed, the figure total is 3.2 million, but I've heard everyone talk about 5 million. What's the difference there? So to again the swift math and review of these documents would suggest you really are dealing with multiple extensions of an old agreement. The fiscal year impact is that $10 million number, but it's across multiple agreements. The the 78642 and 78643. What exhibit C actually looks like to me is a partial O andM from the forensic center. I think there's just a few pages missing. That's all I think that happened here. And I'll just say just in closing, even as I'm opening up two of the different um attachments for A4-2 A4-3, the original amounts, they're not they're not making sense. This in the attachment A is 3.2 million. In this particular A4-3, when I go back to the same uh table that you just caught our attention to it's still the 3.2. So if they are different extensions, I would expect according to your argument that they would be different figures. It seems to be the same grid on all of the different documents.

So I'm just trying to figure out the original contract figure that everyone has been talking to is 5 million and the documents that I'm seeing it's a repeat table that is saying 3.2 million.

I I do see the table commissioner. What I what I can tell you based on Quick review is that you have multiple subcontracts and not subcontracts but small contracts to bridge the gap between service years. And the not to exceed amount of the commission was approved at $10 million. But the agreements themselves are here to be to cover that entire 12-month period because we had one agreement approved with one health director and in negotiations and now we're into the the finishing the term with a new health director and and other negotiations.

So in my last 10 seconds, I do think that this body is beholden to a different obligation. We should be able to have clarity. It's good for you to be able to pull it up and make sense of it, but today we have not been able to give the public transparency, which I would hope would be one of the things that we're here to do. Thank you, Commissioner Sherman. All right, let's uh take this item to a vote.

All right. All commissioners had the opportunity to vote. Let's tally the results. We have I votes from Commissioner Why Clay Bibs Caswell Sugarman Mills Wright Morrison Brooks Laurford Commission Thorain we We have 10 eyes and one abstain.

Thank you. That item passes. Let's read item number 11, please. Item 11 comes from the public works committee which is chaired by Vice Chair Bradford. Item 11 is a resolution to accept the public improvements and to release the subdivision performance bond official check dated February 25th, 2025 that secured the improvements to VIP storage at 9140 Cardova Park Road. ASPR 2023-79 sponsored by Chairwoman Shante Kavant and Commissioner David C. Bradford Jr.

Thank you. That has been moved by Commissioner Whe second by Commissioner Mills. Uh I was the chair of public works committee and this comes down with a favorable recommendation. Commissioners in the queue. All right, let's take this item to a vote. All right. All commissioners have had the opportunity to vote. Let's tally results. We have eye votes from Commissioner Why Clay Bibs Caswell Sugarman Mills Shalai Wright Thornton Morrison Vice Chair Bradford Commissioner Brooks abstain. We have 10 eyes and one abstain.

Thank you. That item passes. Item number 12. Item 12 is comes from public works committee which is chaired by vice chair Bradford. Item 12 is a resolution approving contracts in excess of $50,000 with individual property maintenance contractors for grass cutting of county owned property in an amount not to exceed $611,896 representing a prrated amount for the remainder of FY2026 and with a contract amount not to exceed 1,223 792 in FY2027 and FY2028. This item requires expenditure of FY2026 operating funds in an amount not to exceed $611,896. Sponsored by Commissioner David C. Brad.

Thank you. This item was moved by Commissioner Thornton, seconded by Commissioner Whe oversaw the public works committee. This comes to us with a favorable recommendation. Commissioner report.

Thank you, Chair. Um, administrator I have a couple questions. So, some constituents have reached out to me about this particular item expressing that there's been a change in the process of selecting um I guess vendors for us to use. So, I'm looking at it. 95 vendors were directly solicited. 94 of them were local, which is great. 43 proposals were received and we deemed five nonresponsive. Ultimately, this award was um awarded to five local vendors. So, can you just talk um about I guess have you changed anything in terms of how many vendors are se selected for this particular item and are we doing anything differently? I'll ask some more questions after.

Mr. Swood, land administrator. I will say um off the top for this RFP the main difference was for most of these vendors uh previously the city of Memphis used to pick up the garbage bags off the side of the road. Now they do not. So they had to incorporate that into their costs. So that was a big adjustment for the vendors when supporting uh submitting their bids. Uh as far as the selection I'll I'll point you all to and we've maxed out our capacity in on base. Uh we have uploaded all the agreements as well as the exhibits to the agreements. The exhibits to the agreements have uh those vendors responses in which they talk about how many crews they have, how many lots they can cut per day as well as their um their responses to each thing that was laid out in the RFP. Now I I illustrate all that so that I can point out the fact that we have the capacity of the vendors and how many watts they can cut. We how many lots we have. So, we know how many vendors we can or we need. Um, and the RFP previous to our last one, we had like 20 some odd vendors. None of them were getting enough um from the county to justify the insurance requirements that they had to carry for what we require. And if you are not familiar with the insurance requirements, they are a heavy lift. So, um, last RFP we selected, I believe, 13 vendors and still the vendors were not recuperating. Um, as far as that, when you break it down between the five vendors, it might be uh $200,000 per vendor that they will be getting from this. And that's not exact depends on the number of loss they cut and everything like that. So, these are small uh L all of them are LSBs and they're not just a man with a tractor, right? It's it's a it's a a business

with multiple crews which they are funding through this. And as far as the selection criteria, there was a break in the numbers of the scoring. We cut it off at 5.8 and it's like golf. The lower score is better.

Thank you, chair. Okay. Okay. So, if I heard you correctly, um I heard you say 2613 and we know we see five. What was the 26 vendors? So, before we last year we selected 13 vendors.

The previous RFP was for three years and I believe we had 13 or uh I think we started out with 16. However, um a couple of them uh were not able to do what they said they were going to do. Um the previous one before that when I was not at the land bank, I came into it um towards the end of that RFP. There was like 20 vendors on that one and um of course none of them were getting enough money um from county business to justify uh doing business with us. And of course when that happens they just don't show up anymore. You know they drop their insurance and they quit cutting lots and then we have to reassign those lots. So through um multiple years of practice with this, this is the system we've come down to. And as far as the vendors that we have, three of them cut with us last year. uh one of them creating a light creating an outdoor oasis. They were on the previous RFP and there is one brand new one.

So one brand new. Um something about this doesn't sit well with me because you're saying numbers that would just we had 95 people solicited. 43 decided that in lie of their previous experiences that they wanted to come back to be able to be a part of this process. And now we have deemed that we're only going to do business with five um vendors. And you said one of them is brand new this year, correct? And three of them cut last year. Where's Where's the other one? The other one was not cutting for us in the last RFP. They were in the previous RFP. So they've worked with us in the past.

Correct. Um, and you said they're all just getting about $200,000 worth of work. If you divide that number by five, that's what you get. However, we do have a schedule in the exhibits. And if you break it down by lots and capacity, and I think it's cost, it's exhibit A cost analysis five under five acre um, and and above five acre. and it's in a spreadsheet and it will show you how many lots they say they can cut and if they cut that many their costs given per lot. So you'll see

if I can just one second. So I just want to just make that statement. So when it comes to uh the demographics of Shelby County, catering landscaping are two of the more accessible um vendor contracting processes. So, it concerns me that we now have created a very narrow portal of entrance into this particular arena where clearly we see some if we had to guess who these 43 people are, they're probably going to look like the majority of the county. And so, um, I do think that we just need to rethink the impact of what we're doing and and possibly, um, broaden the scope of like this narrow focus of just five because it just doesn't seem like enough in lie of just this particular industry, um, as it relates to the dynamics of our county. I'm tiptoeing around this just because legal is always on my back about the things that I say, but please hear what I'm trying to say. Thank you.

And, and I have and I addressed that as well. And I'll touch back on there and let me just go over these insurance requirements so you can understand just how much these vendors have to pay out in order to carry insurance to work for the county. So they have to have commercial general liability insurance limit not less than 1 million per occurrence bodily and property damage of 1 million advertising injury 2 million. And this has to include premise operations, products completions, contractual liability, independent vendors, contractors, personal injury, broad form, property damage. Also, they also have to have business automot automobile liability insurance. And this is not for a limit of less than $1 million to cover any owned, leased, or non-owned or hired autos. Also, they must also have workers compensation and employers liability insurance. I understand what you're saying and and I tried to reach out in in in my last RFP and encompass that. However, the direct feedback we got from all these vendors was we're not getting enough work from the county to justify these insurance costs. So, this was in a direct response to our vendors. Now, most of our vendors stopped that way. However, if we narrow the scope, we can't put every vendor in there. So, um, this this was again and in order for them to meet the requirements, insurance requirements of the county, they have to be able to make some sort of, uh, get some sort of financial benefit to offset that so they can actually run a a profitable boat business.

All right. Thank you, Miss Swood. See no other commissioners in the queue. Let's take this item to a vote. All right, commissioners of vote. Let's tally the results. We have eye votes from Commissioner WheS, Caswell, Sugarman, Mills, Shalai, Wright, Thornton, Morrison, Brooks, Vice Chair, Bradford. We have 11 I votes.

Thank you. That item passes. Commissioners, I think items 15 and 16 are both um some that have to be moved over to the budget. Uh would there be any objection to reading these at the same time so that we could deal with them at once? I'm not seeing any. So, let's read items 15 and 16 together so we can dispose of those at once.

Items 15 and 16 come from the Law Enforcement Corrections and Courts Committee, which is chaired by Commissioner Wright. Item 15 is a resolution amending the FY2026 capital improvement plan budget to reallocate an appropriate $350,000 originally approved for the firearms training unit bm reclamation project to the procurement and installation of emergency backup generators at 989 Dove Crest and 993 Dove Crest. This item requires the reallocation and appropriation of fiscal year 2026 capital improvement plan funds in total not to exceed $350,000 sponsored by Commissioner Mc Wright. Item 16 is a resolution amending the FY2026 capital improvement plan budget to reallocate and appropriate $1,775,000 originally approved for the 2011 Popular Jail shower renovation project for the firearms training unit BM Reclamation Project. This item requires the reallocation and appropriation of fiscal year 2026 capital improvement plan funds in total not to exceed $1,775,000 sponsored by Commissioner Mc Wright.

Excuse me, Chairman. May I please say something? Uh, let me get this properly before us if you will. All right. This was moved by Commissioner Sugarman, second by Commissioner Wright. Um, these were heard on the uh law enforcement Commissioner Wright came down with a favorable recommendation. Yes, sir. Favorable recommendations. And so there's a concern that these may need to be under the budget committee. I will let you speak and then I'm going to go to I guess Commissioner Thornton and then Commissioner Why for some recommendation on direction. So go ahead.

Thank you, Chairman Bradford. Alicia Lindsay, chief administrative officer, Shelby County Sheriff's Office. I understand there's a concern that these two items should have gone before the budget committee. However, the budget is not being amended. We're only asking to repurpose or rename projects. We're not asking for an increase in the budget or a decrease in the budget, just to rename the projects. So, it's not a budget amendment. So, the verbiage may be incorrect is where it says amend maybe it should be repurposed, but we clearly say that we're trying to um reallocate and appropriate the money. So, CIP money has to be appropriated before you can spend it, but there is no ask to increase the budget. Okay, thank you. Um, I'm gonna let Commissioner Why take that under advisement while I go to uh Commissioner Thornton who's in the queue that I think has some questions on this.

Um, you know, the theme for this particular meeting today is just clarity and transparency. So when I read this, my questions were just around the language of amending and reallocating and just wanting to know um in line with what previous citizens have come to say, are we taking dollars from the need to address the jail shower um issue to reallocate them to the re uh reclamation project? Can you just give clarity um what exactly the language is telling us is happening? I have questions about item 16, the $ 1.7 million item. Alicia Lindsay, chief administrative officer of Shelby County Sheriff's Office. So there are two distinct items. Item number 15 is was originally for the barn reclamation project. It was budget in fiscal year 2025 for $350,000. So the burn project is now three times that amount. Therefore, we're needing to repurpose the money that's in the jail showers, the 1 million7 to to take care of the burn project.

Can we pause right there for a second? May I please finish as it relates to the showers? The showers and the jail are working. However, we've had issues all year long trying to get an architect. The cost exceed more than 10% of that 1.775. We just got permission recently from the purchasing department to um to use a new vendor um for the architect that we're going to pay for out of our general fund dollars. However, uh we will not be able to complete that gel shower project this year for the reason of not getting an architect earlier in the year.

So my questions are just around the untimeliness of how we are budgeting funds and expending them. So you said that it's now three times that amount. Why why did we reserve the fiscical year 25 funds and not expend them to avoid those inflated cost?

Alicia Lindsay, chief administrative officer, Shelby County Sheriff's Office. The CI budget is a five-year plan. So you can only budget, you know, you have a one year one, year two, year three, year four, year five. So in fiscal year 25 that was budgeted for the current fiscal year. So you cannot encumber funds in fiscal year 25 or fiscal year 26. I have 26 seconds. So uh just for clarity the need for the jail shower renovation project. How much is it? Does it have all the funding that it needs? And what's the status of us being able to repair the jail showers?

Alicia Lindsay, chief administrative officer, Shelby County Sheriff's Office. In 2025, TCI came and tour the jail, inspected the jail, and noted that the showers need to be repaired because the showers are leaking. All showers are in working condition, but they're leaking. So, I think you've probably seen news reports where Chief Deputy Buffner has walked through the jail. There's just poles and poles of water. That's the situation with the jail showers. The estimate as of today is 1.775, but we don't know what that will be. We also put these funds in fiscal year 2027. However, when we get to fiscal year 2027, we don't know what that cost will be until we do a

Thank you, Commissioner. Why?

Okay. Thank you, Vice Chairman. Um I I appreciate Chief Lindsay the context. So I think that helps uh people see the bigger picture of the long-term plan which is quite important in CIP as you know like projects don't always happen when we anticipate they happen but we need to make sure we know that they are still happening. Um I I do though believe that this still and I'll I'll ask the parliamentarian to clarify our rules but um even though there's no additional appropriation which is a good thing. Um it still needs to go through budget to get a recommendation from the budget committee before per our rules the commission votes on it. Um so I'm not sure why it wasn't slated for budget but if we can just clarify um anytime we're amending the budget even if we're not you know pulling from on balance, there's still a different funding source for a different project that wasn't initially in the approved budget. Can we just clarify whether that's true or or if this was properly heard in law enforcement?

Yes, sir. Per your rules, um any unbudgeted expenditures um do require to first have a recommendation for the budget and finance committee. I understand uh the the point that there's this is not addition, it's not an extra expense. It is still um an amendment to the budget even moving right so at the will of the body you have the option to suspend that rule right okay well I'm exercise rule yeah I mean I'm I'm going to obviously like you know we we we could do that all day long and amend the budget and put it in different committees and then it becomes harder to track um so okay sure

I did speak with the system administrator and she explained to me that um the departments are tasked with knowing that rule and then they would need to upload any budget amendments to the budget and finance committee. Um but our office should also um reject those send them back if they are not in the proper committee. So moving forward we will be more vigilant to make sure that takes place.

Okay. Yep. And and again I I I totally unfollow what Chief Lindsay is saying here. Um so you know there probably will be no issue with this uh reallocation. I think it's important that you note that the the shower project here is still in the works. It's just going to be in the FY27 uh budget. So, I'm going to make a motion to refer 15 and 16 to budget and finance next Wednesday. Thank you. Got a motion from Commissioner Wley. Do I have a second?

I've got a second from I think Commissioner Sugarman spoke up first. Any objections to that? All right. I do see a couple commissioners still in the queue, so I just want to give them the opportunity to speak on this in case there's additional things they want to see before this comes back to committee. Uh, Commissioner Wright.

Yes. Thank you so much for um that leeway, Mr. Vice Chair. Um, just wanted to add to the discussion that we we typically put a lot of emphasis and we discuss the budget, the general operating budget a lot. the CIP gets kind of left out of that uh out of those conversations. I would just say that this these things are critically important for the reasons that Commissioner Whe and Chief Lindsay mentioned a moment ago that if we don't spend down those dollars, we lose them and it becomes a problem because we have so many projects in the queue to get done that we need to be spending out that entire budgeted amount. So when there are projects like this that yes, they're vitally important and and I I understand what the commenters are saying. I have the same question myself. We want to see these projects get done. If they can't, however, go forward. We need to reassign those funds in my view. We need to find projects that can go forward in this fiscal year. And this is the particularly the time of year we needed to get that done because we only have a few short months to get get those things reassigned. Um so I just wanted to make make that point of emphasis that that's my view on all of these CIP issues that the county has so many infrastructure projects that are waiting to get done and and we can only take a certain number of them each year and the rest get bumped. And so this is kind of a second chance to to get some things done that wouldn't otherwise get done perhaps for many years. That that's all. Thank you, Vice Chair.

Thank you, Commissioner Ray. Commissioner Morrison,

I I also agree with the uh necessary reallocation not to lose the funds, but I wanted to speak on the other side of I appreciated the lady who came and spoke earlier and Chief Lindsay, um I just find it concerning that we're waiting on the architect when it seems like a plumber would be the who we need to fix the showers. So, I I would just urge um progress, speed and progress to getting the showers fixed. If there showers are working, that's fine, but no one wants I I don't see the need for an architect to fix pools of water. Felicia Lindsay, chief administrative officer, Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Thank you, Commissioner Morrison. Um TCI has required us to renovate all the showers. U so that is the need for the architect. It's not like the plumbers can just come in and you know fix the plumbing. It's not just a plumbing issue. It's a design issue. I hear that. But I just would urge speedy progress because it's frustrating to allocate dollars to a project that needs to happen and see it not move forward.

Yes. And it's also an issue with the way the counties uh certain contracts work like with architects. There's like a revolving you know you have to start with this architect first and if there be is not you know to your liking then you go to the next one and so on and so forth. So, it's it hasn't been for a lack of trying, but we could really move a lot of these things forward if we could get a motion to suspend the rules uh of not referring this back to the budget committee that will help us on these two projects. I'm not sure I followed all that. Okay. Anything further, Commissioner Morrison? That that's all I have for now.

Thank you. Uh Commissioner Thornton, let's wrap us up here.

Thank you, Chair. Um, just a Chief Lindsay, um, the firearms training unit reclamation project, we're saying that the 1.7 is going to complete all of the cost associated with it. I don't want it to creep into fiscal year 27 and again hijack the process of us renovating these showers. Alicia Lindsay, chief administrative officer of Shelby County Sheriff's Office. The budget is the current budget that we're trying to reallocate to the to the burn reaclamation is 1,775. We the latest quote is 1,98,000. So we're not going to spend the entire 1,775. And if I hear you correctly, you're saying that we are not until fiscal year 27 going to be able to get the architects to do what is needed to get the renovation project, the shower project.

Alicia Lindsay, chief administrative officer, Shelby County Sheriff's Office. No, Commissioner Thornton, that's incorrect. We recently got approval to use a new architect. By new, but in the informal solicitation process, we were assigned a new architect and we have a quote and we're going to move forward in the current fiscal year with the architect design. However, the work of, you know, the actual work of rebuilding, remodeling the showers will not be into fiscal year 27. So, when will the detaineees get a new shower?

27. Fiscal year 27. And what are we saying because that could be you know over 12 month period. So what when we do the CIP projects how specific are we about the time frames of completion because you know just saying fiscal year 27 could be you know May June what are we talking about here?

Alicia Lindsay chief administrative officer Shelby County Sheriff's Office. So Commissioner Gordon um you have to have funds available to start the process, the emergency justification process. You have to have those funds available for before you can start to do anything, right? So, you can't really put a hard deadline on completion. We we know that the project will start in fiscal year 27, but as of today, me standing before you, I can't say what month that will be completed. What was I don't have I don't have a contract. Remind me the five-year period that the CIP funds are set aside for.

I'm sorry, can you repeat that? The CIP 5year period, what is it from start to finish? When we get to reup when's the next CIP 5-year allocation? So each year, Alicia Lindsay, Chief Administrative Officer of Shelby County Sheriff's Office, each year in the budgeting process, you're budgeting for a fiveyear plan. So for like the fiscal year 27 budget, it's a your plan for 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31. But we're currently in the plan for fiscal year 26. Does that answer your question? I mean, I'm out of time, but this is going back to committee, so I can ask additional questions. Thank you.

All right, seeing no other commissioners in the queue, uh, this item is going back to the committee, uh, the budget committee on April 8th meeting. Uh, without objection. All right. Uh, next item on the list is item 17. Item 17 comes from the Law Enforcement Corrections and Courts Committee, which is chaired by Commissioner Wright. Item 17 is a resolution requesting legislative action and authorizing advocacy regarding a potential penny shortage impacting county cash collections. Sponsored by Commissioner Mcright. Thank you. This item was moved by Commissioner Sugarman, seconded by Commissioner Thorton. Commissioner Brooks

understood from uh committee on Wednesday that there was a letter or some communication from the I believe state controller in reference to this um this issue and I was hoping that we will have it by now. I don't see clerk Sawyer here. So, does anyone have the letter from the controller regarding this issue, the guidance from the state controller? Okay. Thank you,

Commissioner Wright.

Thank you, Mr. Vice. Yes, I have the uh letter from the controller. um he reached out to me this morning um and saw this was in the news. Um we both agreed that it would be best at this point for us to withdraw this um resolution. Um certainly appreciate Clerk Sawyer and her staff for putting this together, but we meant to get this out much sooner in the legislative calendar. At this stage, it's just way too late for us to make an impact in Nashville. And in addition to that, the the memo that um Commissioner Brooks made reference to, I can make sure commissioners get this. I've also shared it with our county attorney's office um with the request that we move forward with a local policy in in accordance with his guidance. We did mention this summon committee, but at that time I hadn't refreshed my memory with what was in the memo. But um I'll make sure again that all commissioners see that um because we're going to need to to in my view pass a um some kind of policy that will affect all that deal with cash. I don't know if the county attorney has anything to add to that, but at this time, I would just withdraw.

All right. And as you are the sponsor, I don't need a second on that. So, this item I don't need a second. So, this item has been withdrawn. All right. Uh, next item 22. Item 22 comes from the Milton Community Enhancement Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell as vice chair. Item 22 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $3,500 to Milestone of Tennessee at the Christopher A. Pew Center for Men, a charitable or organization. This item requires an expenditure of $3,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Miss Claybin.

Thank you. This item was sponsored by Commissioner was moved by Commissioner Thornton, seconded by Commissioner Sugarman. Commissioner Caswell is not here to give a report. I did watch it on YouTube and it does come down with a favorable recommendation. Uh Commissioner Thornton. Thank you, Chair. I would like to add $1,000. All right. Motion to add $1,000 by Thornton, second by Sugarman.

Any other comments, discussion? All right. This brings the total to 4500. If we could prepare the screens to vote. All right, all commissioners had the opportunity to vote. Let's tally the results. We have eye votes from Commissioner Why, Clay, Bibs, Caswell, Sugarman, Shalai, Wright, Thornton, Brooks, Vice Chair Bradford. We have nine. I vote.

Thank you. That item passes. Let's go to item number 26. Item 26 comes from the Milton Community Enhancement Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell's vice chair. Item 26 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $5,000 to volunteer Odyssey, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $5,000 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program grant fund sponsored by Commissioner David C. Bradford Juke. This item was moved by Commissioner Sugarman, seconded by Commissioner Thornton. Commissioner Caswell on a report. Yeah. Favorable recommendation. All right. This item comes down with favorable recommendation. Commissioner Why? Uh, yes. Like to amend it by 2500.

I have a $2,500 amended by Commissioner Why, second by Commissioner Sugarman. Bring the total to 7,500. All right. Seeing no other commissioners in the queue, let's take this item to a vote. All right. All commissioners had the opportunity to vote. Let's tally the results. We have I votes from Commissioner Wheel Sugarman Shalai Wright Thornton Brooks Vice Chair Bradford. We have nine I votes.

Thank you. That item passes. Item 28. Item 28. Item 28 comes from the Milton Community Enhancement Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell's vice chair. Item 28 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $12,500 to Tennessee First Responders Foundation, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $12,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund, sponsored by Commissioner David. Jun and Chairwoman Shant A. Thank you. This item was moved by Commissioner Sugar, second by Commissioner Thornton. Commissioner Caswell with the report. Yes, sir. A favorable recommendation. Thank you, sir. Commissioner Why like to amend by 2500?

We have a amendment by 2500 bringing this to 5,000 and seconded by Commissioner Sugarman. Uh, Commissioner Thornton.

Thank you, Chair. I would like to amend by 10,000. We have an amendment bringing this to 16,000 by Commissioner Thornton, seconded by Commissioner Sherman. Seeing no other commissioners in the queue, let's bring this to a vote. All right, all commissioners have the opportunity to vote. Let's review the results. We have I votes from Commissioner Whe Caswell Sugarman Shaly Wright Thornton by chef Bradford. We have eight I votes.

Thank you. That item passes. Item number 29. Item 29 comes from the Milton Community Enhancement Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell as vice chair. Item 29 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $10,000 to co-crew a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $10,000 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner David C. Bradford Jr., Commissioner Henry E. Brooks, Commissioner Miss Bibs, Commissioner Erica Sugarman, and Chairwoman Shante K. A Vand. Thank you. This item was moved by Commissioner Sugarman, seconded by Commissioner Thornton, Commissioner Caswell with the report. Favor recommendation. Thank you, sir. Commissioner Wley, I'd like to amend by 2500.

All right, we have amendment by Commissioner Wley and 2500 bringing this to 12,500 seconded by Commissioner Sugarman. Commissioner Thornton.

Thank you, Chair. I'd like to amend by 10,00. All right, we have an amendment by Commissioner Thornton of $1,000, bringing this now to 13,500. Seconded by Commissioner Sugarman. Seeing no other commissioners in the queue, let's take this item to a vote. All commissioners have voted. Let's reveal the results. We have eye votes from commissioner whe bibs clay bibs Caswell Sugarman Shalai Wright Thoron Brooks vice chair Bradford we have nine I votes

all right that item passes please read item 31 item 31 comes from the Milton Community Enhancement Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell as vice chair. Item 31 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $15,000 to Contemporary Arts Memphis CAM, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $15,000 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Muel Lowry, Commissioner Mcclay Bibs, and Chairwoman Shante Kent. was amended in March 25th, 2026 committee meeting.

Thank you. This item was moved by Commissioner Thorton, second by Commissioner Sugarman. Commissioner Caswell with a report. Favor recommendation. Thank you, sir. Commissioner Why? I move to amend by 2500.

All right, we have an amendment by Commissioner Why of 2500 bringing this to 17,500 and a second by Commissioner Sugarman. Seeing no other commissioners in the queue, let's take this item to a vote. All commissioners have voted. Let's tell the results. We have eye votes from Commissioner Whe bibs Caswell Sugarman July Wright Thornton Vice Chair Bradford. We have eight I votes.

That item passes. Let's please read item 33. Item 33 comes from the Milton Community Enhancement Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell as vice chair. Item 33 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $20,000 to volunteer Green Community Association, VECA, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $20,000 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program grant fund sponsored by Commissioner Henry E. Brooks, Commissioner Muel Lowry, and Commissioner Mlay Biz. This item was amended in March 25th, 2026 committee meeting. Thank you. This item has been moved by Commissioner Sugarman, seconded by Commissioner Caswell. Commissioner Caswell with a report.

Yes. A favorable recommendation. Thank you, sir. Commissioner Whed this one by 5,000.

All right. We have amendment by Commissioner Why of $5,000 bringing this total to $25,000. Seconded by Commissioner Sugarman. No other commissioners in the queue. Let's take this item to a vote. All right, let's reveal the results. We have eye votes from Commissioner Wley, Clay, Bibs, Caswell, Sugarman, Mills, July, Wright, Thorton, Brooks, Vice Chair Bradford. We have 10 I votes.

That item passes. If we could read item 38. Item 38 comes from the Milton Community Enhancement Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell as vice chair. Item 38 is a resolution awarding county funds for the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $5,000 to Urban Promise 901, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $5,000 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Chairwoman Shant Avant and Commissioner Charlie Caswell Jr. This item was amended in March 25th, 2026 committee meeting. This item has been moved by Commissioner Sugarman, second by Commissioner Wley. Commissioner Caswell with the report. Uh favor of the recommendation.

Thank you, sir. Uh Commissioner Clay Bibs. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would like to amend this by $2,000. All right. We have amendment by Commissioner Clay Bibs for $2,000 bringing the total to $7,000. That was seconded by Commissioner Sugarman. Um Commissioner Why? Uh yes. Move to amend by 2500. All right, we have an amendment by Commissioner Why for $2,500 for dollars, bringing this to $9,500. Seconded by Commissioner Sugarman. Uh, Commissioner Brooks, I move to amend this by

All right. Have a um motion by Commissioner Brooks to amend this by $1,000 to bring this to 10,500 and seconded by Commissioner Sugarman. All right, see no other commissioners in the queue. Let's take this item to a vote. All right. All commissioners had the opportunity to vote. Let's tell the results. We have eye votes from Commissioner Wheell Sugarman Wright Thornton Brooks Vice Chair Bradford. We have eight I votes.

Thank you. That item passes. Uh item 41. Item 41 comes from the Milton Community Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell as vice chair. Item 41 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY 2026 operating budget in the amount of $12,500 to National Tourism and Heritage Association, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $12,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Charlie Caswell Jr., Commissioner Amber Mills and Chairwoman Shantka Vant. This item was amended in March 25th, 2026 committee meeting. Thank you. This item was moved by Commissioner Sherman, seconded by Commissioner Thordon. Commissioner Caswell with report favorable recommendation.

Thank you, sir. Commissioner Thort. Thank you, Chair. I would like to amend to add $2,000. We have an amendment by Commissioner Thornton in the amount of $2,000. Seconded by Commissioner Sugarman, bringing our total to 14,500. Uh, Commissioner Why? Uh, yes. to end by 2500. All right, we have a amendment by Commissioner Why to amend by 2500 bringing this total to $17,000. Second by Commissioner Sugarman. Commissioner Clay Bibs, I want to amend by 1500.

We have a motion by Commissioner Clay Bibs to amend by 1500, which brings our total to 18,500. Second by Commissioner Sugarman. All right, see no other commissioners in the queue. We will take this to a vote at $18,500. All right, all commissioners had the opportunity to vote. Let's tell the results. We have eye votes from Commissioner Whe bibs Caswell right Thorton Brooks Vice Chair Bradford. We have seven I votes.

Thank you. This item passes. Read item 44 please. Item 44 comes from the Milton Community Enhancement Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell as vice chair. Item 44 is a resolution awarding county fund from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $55,000 to Warner Court International, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $30,000 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Charlie Caswell. Thank you. This item was moved by Commissioner Sugarman, seconded by Commissioner Caswell. Commissioner Caswell with the report. Uh, favor of the recommendation. All right. I do have an appearance card on this one from Ter Terrell Monger. Terrell, are you still here?

Chairman, he had to leave, but I just want to say it quickly because I know he came to speak on that. I end up praying for us, but he is leading the efforts too around the Memphis Fest that's going to happen on May the 22nd. He's the physical agent working with Faith Faith and other partners around the city. So, I know this is something that we're supporting. I just appreciate your support. Thank you, sir. appreciate those additional comments. Uh, Commissioner Clay Bibs. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like to amend this by 5,000.

Something just Yeah. Does anybody know what the total is the caption? We got $55,000 and $30,000. You amend it. So it was in 30. You amended it about 25. Yeah.

Okay. Commissioner Cwell is correct. So, we did have a error there in the notes. This was originally heard at $30,000 at committee. Commissioner Cavwell added another 25,000 bring us to where we are today at 55,000. I've just had a motion by Clay Bibs for an additional 5,000 seconded by Sugarman bringing this total to $60,000. All right, I think we're back on track. Uh, Commissioner Caswell, did you have additional comments? Okay. Uh, Commissioner Wright. Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. I'd like to amend my 2,000. All right. I have an amendment by Commissioner Wright bringing this to 62,000. Seconded by Commissioner Sugarman and Commissioner Thornon. Thank you, Chair. I would like to amend my 2000.

All right, we have an amendment by uh Commissioner Thornton bringing this to 64,000 seconded by Commissioner Sugarman. Seeing no other commissioners in the queue, let's take this item to a vote for amended total of 64,000. Yes, ma'am. You need to um clean up the caption. I will clear up the cion to show that it started at 55,000.

All right. Thank you so much, Commissioner Brooks. So, we've got a motion on the floor to amend the res the caption to show $55,000 in both spots. It has been seconded by Commissioner Sugarman. Any other discussion, comments, objections? Okay. So, move. Uh let's prepare the screens uh to vote for the final amount of $64,000. All right. All commissioners had the opportunity to vote. Tally the results We have I votes from Commissioner Wheell Sugarman Wright Thoron Brooks Vice Chair Bradford. We have eight I votes.

This item passes. Thank you. Um, next item is item 46. Item 46 comes from the Milton Community Enhancement Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell as vice chair. Item 46 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $65,000 to SPW Community Strategies, Inc., a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $65,000 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Henry E. Brooks. Thank you. Commissioner Sugarman has moved this item. Looking for a second. Commissioner Caswell has seconded. Commissioner Caswell with the report.

F. It came down with a favor recommendation. recommendation. Right. Seeing no commissioners in the queue, let's take this item to a vote. I'm waiting. Commissioners, I think there's a couple in the back that wanted to vote on this item. Did you lock it out? Yeah. Did you Where's Where's your light?

We have everybody's vote. It's here. chair. I'm sorry. Can I change my vote to an abstinction? Thank you. We have I votes from Commissioner Whe. We have one no vote from Commissioner Caswell, Commissioner Mills, Wright, Thorton, Bradford abstain. We have four eyes, one no and four abstain.

So, so this item does not pass.

This item fails. All right, I think that finishes the consent agenda and moves us to the regular agenda. If we could read item 50. Item 50 comes from the budget and finance committee which is chaired by Commissioner Whley. Item 50 is a resolution amending resolution number four adopted February 24th, 2025, requesting that EDGE remits to the county any unspent funds not specifically expended for the programmatic initiatives of the Greater White Haven Economic Redevelopment Corporation Gwork sponsored by Commissioner Amber Mills and Commissioner Britney Thornton. This item was sent down without recommendation in March 25th, 2026 committee meeting.

Thank you. This item was moved by Commissioner Mills, seconded by Commissioner Sugarman. Commissioner Why on a report? Uh, this comes down without recommendation. Now, without recommendation, Commissioner Mills. Thank you. I move to withdraw this item.

All right. As the sponsor, you can move it without needing a second. So, this item has been withdrawn. All right. Item number 51, please. Item 51 comes from the land use planning, transportation and code enforce committee which is chaired by chairman Bradford, vice chairman Bradford. Item 51 is the resolution approving the appeal of Fossil Kabidi seeking to overturn the action of the Memphis and Shelby County Land Use Control Board rejecting a major modification application for a convenience store with gas pumps that does not meet the design requirements of sub item 2.6. 6.3 J2D2 and site plan with parcel P of Buckingham Farms plan development at the subject property municipally known as 4670 Hacks Cross Road case number MJR 2025-019CO correspondence item sponsored by Commissioner Erica Sugarman item was deferred in February 9th 2026 committee meeting

thank you this item was moved by Commissioner Sugarman second by Commissioner Thornton I was the chair of the committee. When this was heard last, it was sent down without recommendation. So, it be heard today. Uh, Commissioner Sugarman, I think we have some action on this. Yes. I make a motion to move withdraw this um resolution. All right. Commissioner Sugarman is uh the sponsor. So, she can therefore withdraw this without needing a second. Seeing no other discussion, this item has been withdrawn. Item 52.

Item 52. comes from the Milton Community Enhancement Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell as vice chair. Item 52 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $14,500 to YMCA of Memphis and the Midsouth, a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $14,500 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner David C. Bradford Jr., Commissioner Charlie Caswell Jr., and chairwoman Shante K amended. This item was amended in March 25th, 2026 committee meeting. Thank you. This item was moved by Commissioner Thornton, seconded by Commissioner Wheer Caswell with the report. Uh favor recommendation.

Thank you, sir. Uh Commissioner Clay Bibs. Uh just stating I actually in committee stated that I would recuse myself on this vote. So that's what we'll be doing today. Thank you very much. See another commissioner in the queue. Let's take this item to a vote. I'm sorry. I should be in the queue to speak. I would like to amend it by 2500.

All right. We have a motion to amend by 2500 from Shalai, seconded by Commissioner Sherman. I believe that brings the total to 17,000. All right. You were not showing it in my queue, so we need to make sure it gets on that. But we've only got one more item today, hopefully. All right. Uh, seeing no other commissioners in the queue, let's take this item to a vote. All right, seeing no other commissioners in the queue, let's take this item to let's tally the results. We have I votes from Commissioner Wley, Caswell, Sugarman, Mills, Shalai, Wright, Thornton, Brooks, Vice Chair Bradford, Commissioner Clay Bs, recused. We have nine eyes and one recused.

This item passes commissioners. As you remember, we've heard item 53 earlier in the evening. And so, this brings us to the last item on the agenda. Item 54, you can read that into the record.

Item 54 comes from the general government committee which is chaired by Commissioner Brooks. Item 54 is a resolution approving the execution of a memorandum of understanding between Shelby County government and the Tennessee controller of the Tennessee Division of Property Assessments regarding 2025 2029 2025 through 2029 reappraisal plan sponsored by Commissioner Henry Brooks. item was an add-on in March 25th, 2026 committee meeting and I I think I understand that it didn't have a legal reviewer or approve approver

Megan Smith County Attorney's Office. The uh the the legal red line version didn't make it to committee. What you have in front of you incorporates the legal changes and I can walk through some of it if you'd like. quite on the floor in front of us yet. So I need a mover and seconder. I've been moved by Commissioner, second by Commissioner Caswell, Commissioner Brooks on a report. Sorry. Okay. And then I believe we do have a substitute in front of us. Correct. All right. So I will move the substitute in front of us. We have a second. Second.

All right. Um Miss Attorney Smith, do you want to speak to the substitute? Megan Smith County Attorney's Office. Yes, thank you. Um the legal red line changes are in the substitute before you. They just include making sure that the right exhibits are referenced throughout the document. Um especially in whereas clauses number two and three, there were some formatting issues and a resolve clause needed to include a reference to exhibit B. Also, exhibit A is included among materials that will be emiled to the county commission. document that was before you in October. Those are the changes that are

Thank you, Attorney Smith. Uh, Commissioner Mills, thank you. I just want to confirm before the vote this is strictly procedural. This is not changing anything. Okay. Thank you,

chair. My screen is frozen. I would like to be in queue. You would like to what? Be in queue. Yes, ma'am. Go ahead. Go ahead. Thank you, chair. Um, just a question about this particular. Um, Mr. Boington, thank you for being here. Um, have we talked to the controller and is the comprolling willing to honor thisou upon being passed?

Uh, the controllers in full support. Uh, George Boington, uh, 1075 M station road, Memphis, Tennessee 3134. Uh, Commissioner Thornton, the controller requires every county in addition to a reappraisal plan pursuant to title 67 of Tennessee code where the board of equalization may um enact other rules outside of statute. One of the rules that they have enacted is to require counties to submit anou. Theou is um a super simple document. All it says is that the county will adhere to the reappraisal plan that the legislative body that would be you guys approved back uh last year. We've for the past 25 years. And the uh difference in this time having this separate, we use the same resolution that we've been using for the past 15. The county attorney's office opined that we would rather than entering into anou outright need to um receive specific permission from the legislative body to do the same. So just we promise to adhere to the um resolution that you pass concerning the appraisal and if there are any issues we will report any issues to the controller's office. Thank you.

Thank you Commissioner Thor. Seeing no other commissioners in the queue let's take this item to a vote. Madam clerk, count me as an I, please. I as well, please. Commissioners, hopefully your screens are up. Please vote.

All right, if you've had the opportunity to vote, let's tally the results. We have eye votes from Commissioner Wley, Clay Bibs, Caswell, Sugarman, Shalai Brooks, Vice Chair Bradford. We have seven I votes.

Thank you. That item passes. Uh, it's my understanding, Commissioner Caswell, you want to reconsider item 46 as you were on the prevailing side because it failed. You have the right to do so. Yes, sir. I appreciate appreciate that. All right. So, let's uh rehear item 46. I guess reread it into the record. No. Okay. Okay. So, oh is that object to Commissioner Caswell's motion to reconsider item 46? Seeing none, is there a second?

All right. Second, Commissioner Brooks. Item 46 comes from the Milton Community Enhancement Grants Committee with Commissioner Caswell as vice chair. Item 46 is a resolution awarding county funds from the FY2026 operating budget in the amount of $65,000 to SPW Community Strate Strategies, Inc., a charitable organization. This item requires an expenditure of $65,000 from the Milton Community Enhancement Program Grant Fund sponsored by Commissioner Henry E. Brooks. This item was moved by Commissioner Caswell, seconded by Commissioner Sugarman. Commissioner Casmill, committee report. This item came down with a favor recommendation.

Commissioner. Thank you, Chair. Um, is someone here from the organization SPW community strategies? Um, did someone speak on this item in committee? I don't think so. Commissioner Brooks, I think you sponsored. Would you like to speak to a little bit about

I am sponsor there was not a speaker Wednesday meeting a speaker was not required if you have question okay nice um just wanted to know more about the use of the 65000 and who's this organization

we have the out of relevant required records on file with this is a part of my Milton community enhancement grant and it's not anything unprecedented in FY19 $100,000 was given to city department by McBride FY20 $100,000 was given to save by Mc FY21 23,000 FY22 100,000 FY25 175,000 and there was not a word spoken. So uh SPW is small planet work. It does community strategies. It works with uh organizations including me and others in community strategies. Sounds like sounds great. Um, so you know, everyone can at their discretion support their district. I'm just curious, is there a particular strategy that is being worked on for district 7?

There are a number of strategies that are being worked on district 7.

Okay. So, the public can hear the $65,000 is going to get them. What from this particular allocation? Well, if we want to go back and pull the pull the uh the file, we can do that. But District 7 has in addition to summer camps, we have a consolidated public works strategy. We have a literacy strategy. Uh and you know, I I sort of I'm try to phrase this correctly, but I don't there's been an inquisition of anyone regarding their Milton community enhancement grant. It seems that there's a precedent being set here that I don't believe we want to do. I don't mind answering questions for the public, but let's not set precedents where one where there are none. So, the the records are open to the public and they're they're even open to you. All you have to do is walk across the hall. So, everybody has an opportunity to read uh the entire grant application just like all of the other grant applications are open uh for public inspection transparency. But my problem, my concern here is is the inquisition on a Milton community enhancement plan. that has been authorized per commissioner and to my understanding that it's not usually a discussion about it but if there are any additional questions I'd be glad to try and answer um in all of this you got put into the

queue so this is your time right now did you have anything additional And and I will add to your point, the county attorney has reviewed this and have found no issues with this as well. Correct. Attorney Smith, this item has been reviewed uh through our proper processes uh for C grant distribution and it hasn't had any issues. Correct. That's correct. Okay. Thank you. Um Commissioner Thor, I see you're back in the queue. Go ahead.

Thank you, Chair. Um, I wholeheartedly agree that there's no need to add any additional requirements for commissioners to use their discretionary dollars, but it's not lost to me that we are under a lot of scrutiny as a body as it concerns Milton grants and where they're going. So, I do think in this season it would just be becoming of us to be able to answer the questions of what can the public expect to get. I don't know about my colleagues, but out of all of the allocations that we give, I don't have summit of data of the impact and I just don't ever see that the public actually knows where our $200,000 are going um in great detail. And so today, $65,000, um I just want to just know what is it going towards and just speak to an organization like we do to all the other ones um that come down to speak on behalf of their allocations compared to what I see other Milton Grant um organizations receive. $65,000 is a more sizable one. Most of these allocations are between five and $15,000. when it crosses over that $15,000 mark, it's custom for us to be able to hear from um the organization. So, I you know, I just I'm just going to ask the question again. What is it going to produce? I see Miss um Miss Janet is associated with the organization who we've seen participate in a number of different ad hocs. Miss Janice, sorry. Um she's participated in a number of different ad hocs. So, I know her work um and would just look forward to seeing whatever is anticipated to be the able from the $65,000 today. We don't know is this a $65,000 salary? Is it a $15,000 per plan um cost? Like it would just be interesting to know um to even just from my perspective know if I would want to invest in this work. So without any additional information than what I see in Granicus, I can't really tell what exactly the $65,000 is actually going to cover the cost of. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Thor. Commissioner Brooks. Um my push back here is being singled out. Uh I do not like discriminatory actions and behaviors. Uh this is not again you're setting a precedent and it's more personal than policy and I don't understand that. Let me just add this because what you're what the message that you're sending is it's insulted um and the message is erroneous and the message appears to be like I said per more personal than policy oriented. uh Small Planet Works, SPW has done work as you just alluded you know a work uh with the PA committee payment in L of taxes which is going to be very important and if you've read the reforms you would understand that uh very important to the region one task force uh in terms of the region one rebuild. So strategies is what this is about. And just because you don't have the information is because you haven't read it. It's been available.

Commissioner Thordon, this is I think the third time you've spoken on this item. Um do we need to get just a point of privilege? I'm reading the items in base. So that's what I'm reading today. I'm speaking to the information that is or is not included. And so just to the comment that I didn't read, everyone can read. If anyone can answer my question, that'll be great. But we cannot because the information does not exist. But that's the prerogative of the district 7 commissioner. And I digress. Thank you. All right. Let's uh let's take this item.

Personal privilege. I cannot end on that note because what she's just said insinuates something that is very negative toward this commissioner and I don't appreciate that and I want the public to know that they can call this office 2221 house and any uh additional work that is not shown on this grant can be obtained from the u grants coordinator about this application just like others. But let me just say this, don't start discriminating based on personal basis and other little things that's not related to policy. That's not a good thing.

Thank you, Commissioner Brooks. Let's take this item to a vote. All right, all commissioners had the opportunity to vote. Let's tell the results. We have eye votes from Commissioner Wley, Clay Bibs, Caswell, Sugarman, Brooks, Commissioner Mills, July Wright, Thornton, Vice Chair Bradford abstain. We have eyes. Five state.

Thank you. That item fails. All right, commissioners. I believe that takes care of everything on our agenda. I'm not a aware of any add-on items. All right. So, this would move us to the time where we have announcements. If you all we can clear the queue and pull up any announcements. Commissioner Sugarman, I see you're in the queue. Go ahead. Thank you, Chair. And so I just wanted to thank uh Principal Henderson of Bell Forest Elementary uh and staff for inviting me out to be the principal for the day on April the 2nd um at Bell Forest Elementary and I can't wait. Thank you.

All right. Thank you, Commissioner Sugarman. Commissioner Caswell.

Yeah. I just want to announce two announcement. Uh, Agape Fest, Family Fest is going to be held on April the 25th at the Agra Center from 3:00. 3:00 to 6 o' No, no, no, no, no. Yeah. 3:00 to 6 o'clock at the Agra Center. So, asking all family churches, everyone to come out to be a part of that Agape Fest, uh, April 25th and then May the 22nd at Memphis Tom Lee Park. Again, thanks to uh, Madame Clerk, Sawyer, and others. We're going to have expungement clinic, health fair, job fair, uh just a big event for the city of Memphis 207th birthday, May the 22nd at Tumbly Park. And just want to send a shout out to the city of Memphis youth department uh employee program going to have all 3,000 of the youth working that day. Uh so our youth going to take back Tom Park for the positive uh to send that message to our city. Thank you.

Thank you, Commissioner Caswell. All right. Uh seeing no other commissioners in the queue. This will uh in