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Coronavirus takes bite out of millions of Americans’ budgets, but apparently not Shelby County’s

Proposal to trim 6% from budget to save $10 million not met with unanimous support

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn —

In Thursday's Ransom Note: belt tightening. It's the smart thing to do in uncertain times like during a worldwide pandemic. I know my family is putting our summer vacation on hold, the economy's headed for recession, better to save what you can, right?

That's what Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and commission chairman Mark Billingsley asked for earlier this week. They wanted all offices --except for those tied to public safety or the health department-- to trim what would amount to 6% of the money they have left for the three remaining months in this budget cycle.

If everyone does their part, the county would save $10 million, a smart move considering commercial real estate is down, hotel and motel tax revenue has fallen off a cliff, the county pension fund is taking a hit.

Since we're near the end of the budget year, it would mean not filling some positions, redecorating an office, and might avoid more serious layoffs in the fall. Seems reasonable, right?

But already the Shelby County Trustee and Criminal Court Clerk are balking, and they're not alone. Not even all the county commissioners are on board.

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So while families all over Shelby County tighten their family budgets, those in government don't think they can find 6%. Once again showing that, for a lot of our locally elected officials, it's not about public service, it's about public “serve me.”

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