MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Update: The proposed ordinance that would have extended full healthcare benefits to Memphis City Council members after they left office until the age of 65 was voted down on Feb. 20, ending the controversial measure.
The following is information released before the bill was voted down:
Members of the Memphis City Council will have to wait until April to see if they will be able to give themselves health benefits — until the age of 65.
The controversial vote was pushed on Jan. 9 to February, but the meeting agenda for Feb. 6 states that the vote is now set for April 9.
Former City Councilman Martavius Jones originally proposed the move which would give council members who served two consecutive terms health care for the rest of their lives.
The proposal passed a vote back in December under the old city council. If eventually approved, it would go into effect for the three city council members who left office over the new year, including Jones.
Nashville's city council had a similar rule in place for decades. In 2020, that plan reportedly cost taxpayers over $800,000 to cover former and then-current officials.
In 2021, Nashville decided it was too expensive and eliminated the program. Officials estimated if that program was in effect today, it would cost $1.2 million annually.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story stated that the benefits proposed would be "lifetime benefits," but the bill actually suggested these members would receive benefits until the age of 65. ABC24 strives for accuracy in our reporting, and we apologize for not having this information correct.