County irks city on auto checks

Council airs frustration

A decision by Shelby County and state officials to continue auto emissions testing only for Memphis residents rekindled a debate among City Council members about pressuring for greater change.

The city of Memphis may be able to require emissions testing and charge an environmental fee for frequent (two days a week or more) commuters who don’t live in the city, suggests a legal opinion reviewed by council members on Tuesday.

County Mayor Mark Luttrell and the County Commission also drew criticism during a review of the emissions testing issue during a council executive session. Luttrell said last month that the state will take over operation of auto inspections beginning July 1, but will initially limit emissions testing to motorists who live in the city of Memphis. The City Council voted to end funding for the city’s motor vehicle inspection operations on July 1, contending that the burden of meeting airquality standards should be shared with suburban and other communities.

“The entire county should be going through it, but where is the fight for the citizens of Memphis?” said council member Wanda Halbert, also asking what the city will get for its investment in inspection operations.

Council member Shea Flinn said the best outcome Memphis can hope for is for the county to assume financial responsibility and contract with the city for two years.

Waiting two years to expand emissions testing countywide will help meet new federal air quality standards expected then, Flinn said.

It would also allow time for building inspection stations outside of Memphis, said council member Jim Strickland.

Edmund Ford Jr., council chairman, distributed a June 2011 opinion from City Atty. Herman Morris concluding that federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations trump state and local law and may give the city authority to require emissions testing and fees of commuters.

Some council members greeted that possibility.