MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Lots of people are facing financial pressures these days because of how the coronavirus has wrecked our economy. And the same is true for local governments. Businesses being closed equates to very little tax money going into city and county coffers. And that means next fiscal year’s budgets will be challenging – and that’s putting it mildly.
Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris is proposing a $1.4 billion budget that includes no raises – and shaves millions in spending from the existing plan.
In the city of Memphis, Mayor Jim Strickland is floating three possible budget plans – as he stares at a projected $80 million deficit caused by COVID-19.
Despite all of this financial pressure, our mayors should be commended for putting public health ahead of opening up the local economy. Governor Bill Lee earlier this week lifted stay at home restrictions – and said most businesses can reopen May first in 89 of Tennessee’s 95 counties. But Strickland said Tuesday his stay at home order will remain in effect until May 5. And my hunch is it will be extended further – because it’s unlikely that Memphis has reached its peak in coronavirus cases.
The health department says we need 14 days of decreases in cases before we consider reopening the local economy. Yes, that means more financial pain – public and private. But the alternative is more sickness - and worse – more deaths. And that’s my point of view.