Politics and budget process are a poor mix
It is unfortunate that Tennessee only requires local school board members to attend annual training. If all elected officials were required, maybe more people would understand and perform their elected duties and responsibilities in a more appropriate manner.
The executive branch of government is responsible for handling the day-to-day decisions and functions of the office and, while ultimately responsible for its bottom line, it is the legislative branch that accepts, denies or modifies the executive’s budget recommendations.
If you were able to follow the budget process of the city of Memphis, you saw multiple City Council members creating a budget for approval. While this is outside of its defined scope of duties, in the absence of the executive team submitting a budget that requests a fair yet sensitive tax in- crease, quality services for all and adequately reflected investments in all districts, the need to deliver what some considered good budget options opened the door for the budget submissions.
Memphis seems to have lost its focus on its primary gem, its citizenry. There is no doubt many outside of Memphis have profited and benefited off the back of Memphis — regional and suburban growth, payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) incentives, jobs, salaries and benefits with no reinvestment into the city’s infrastructure, no investment on road repair or pollution control. If so much continues to walk out of our city and no significant reinvestment is expected or required, what kind of budget or process do we expect?
There have been some good lists we can boast about being a part of. However Memphis has made other lists that shine the light on high crime, growing unemployment and poverty. Why are we surprised when our primary revenue generator is a property tax in a city where almost 30 percent of the citizenry is impoverished?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with letting people live where they want to live and work in your city. However, Mississippi and Arkansas get it; you can’t take money away from their city/state without making a guaranteed investment.
Another elephant in the room is the PILOT program. It is my belief we definitely need to invest in luring new and sustaining business to our city. When do we focus on just how much of an investment we are able to make?
In the absence of additional strong revenue sources, Memphis needs to determine a true fiveyear plan on just how much it can afford to invest in tax abatement programs and stop jumping at every whim to invest in them. After all, Memphians are Shelby County residents. When Memphis and Shelby County make these investments, unlike other local municipalities, Memphis pays twice. Add investments from the state of Tennessee, and Memphis pays three times.
Our sincere focus on helping to create, grow and reinvest in small and minority business continues to struggle, but we cannot forget these businesses and their employees are the heart of our economic growth.
To my colleagues who spent time helping to create budget recommendations, thank you. Our focus in the future should be an expectation, and demand to the mayor and his team to present the kind of budget that reflects the best needs for all citizens of Memphis.
This doesn’t mean support only our individual neighborhoods, or a special group that knocked on our door or made a telephone call. We have taken an oath that we will fairly deliver and perform all services to each and every citizen of Memphis unconditionally to the best of our ability.
Playing the game of politics during the budget process definitely does not serve the best interest of the citizens of Memphis, especially when we have clearly shown that we’re choosing to ignore the many missing elements that helped us get to this point of budget despair. Wanda Halbert represents District 4 on the Memphis City Council.