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This year’s FY26 budget focuses on two core priorities: Public Safety and Blight Mitigation; and one guiding principle: holding the line on rising costs without raising taxes.
That decision was intentional. It reflects hundreds of tough, strategic choices across every city division and strong collaboration between my administration and the Memphis City Council. Together, we’ve shown that fiscal discipline can fuel real, measurable progress.
I want to be clear – because it doesn’t always make headlines – the work we did with Council to right-size the budget while maintaining quality services matters deeply. We’re proposing a flat budget that absorbs unavoidable cost increases like inflation and pension obligations—while still delivering a strong return on investment for our residents.
 You’ll see increases where necessary, but every division did the hard work of cutting back where possible. Already, we’ve trimmed over $30 million from initial departmental requests.
In 2024, our results were clear. Among them, we saw violent crime drop 19%, homicides fall by 29%, and motor vehicle thefts decline by 39%. We cleared nearly 2,000 illegal dump sites, filled 83,000 potholes (up 28K over the previous year), and paved 70 lane miles – the equivalent of repaving Poplar all the way to Brownsville.
This budget also continues investments in housing, libraries, youth programs, workforce development, and culture. It also supports major projects like the Southwest Twin community hub in Westwood and the continued build-out of the Wolf River Greenway to connect neighborhoods across our city.
Most importantly, this budget helps us begin rebuilding our fund balance, which is now just $91M – dangerously close to the state-required minimum. Our goal is $147M, or two months of operating expenses. We won’t get there this year, but we must begin the climb – together.
 There will be hard conversations this season about salaries, programs, and priorities. My hope is that the Council and the community see the discipline we’ve shown – and trust that we’ll rise to the occasion again.
We are committed to maximizing every dollar, to sustaining momentum, and to building a Memphis that works for everyone.
As we move forward together, I thank the City Council, our city employees, and every resident who continues to believe in Memphis. This is our chance to rise – and I believe that together, we can.
 (Watch our full budget presentation to City Council here. Flip through the slides here.)
Good News!
   Do you have good news to share? We would love to share it! Send us a note at goodnews@memphistn.gov
Weekly Crime Trend
The report below provides our weekly update on Part 1 Crimes. It updates daily and shows a continuous rolling 7-day total compared to the prior 7-day total. The charts on the right show the calendar week trend, comparing 2023 to 2024.
 (We maintain two crime dashboards, the Weekly Crime Trend report can be found here, and the Crime Analytics dashboard can be accessed here.)
Our Strike Team worked in the following zip codes this week: 38104, 38106, 38111, 38112, 38114, 38115, 38118, 38122, 38127, 38128, 38141
Community Announcement:
To report issues:
• In case of after-hours emergencies, contact OEM at 901-636-2525
• To report power outages, call MLGW’s Electrical Outage Hotline at 901-544-6500.
• Or for actual, life-threatening emergencies - call 911
In the Know:
Safer Memphis 365 Meeting. Join the Joint Office of Neighborhood Safety & Engagement on Tuesday, April 23, from 5:30pm - 6:30pm at Riverside MB Church for an evening focused on violence reduction strategies, community collaboration, and safety. Be part of the conversation—and the solution. RSVP by Monday, April 21, to ensure your spot. See more details and RSVP here.
Safety Action Plan. We want to hear from you! Your input is essential in shaping safer streets for Memphis. The City of Memphis is developing a Safety Action Plan aimed at significantly reducing roadway fatalities and serious injuries for all road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. To ensure the plan reflects the community's needs and concerns, we invite you to participate in a brief survey. Your feedback will help identify key safety issues and guide effective solutions. See more and get involved here.
Neighborhood Watch: Build a Safer Community. Take action against crime in your neighborhood by joining or starting a Neighborhood Watch group through your local MPD station. Get resources, guidance, and access to the Neighborhood Crime Prevention Grant to support safety initiatives. Eligible neighborhood groups can apply for funding by attending a mandatory workshop and meeting key requirements. Learn more about how to protect and strengthen your community by attending one the workshops! See more and apply for the grant here.
Social and Community Engagement:
Autism Awareness Festival. Get ready for a day of fun and awareness at the Autism Awareness Festival! Join us for this FREE event hosted by the Memphis Parks Health and Wellness Department on Saturday, April 12, from 10am - 1pm. at the Bert Ferguson Community Center. Dive into activities like the foam pit, sensory room, petting zoo, and bubble party. Let’s celebrate diversity and support our community together! See more and share here.
Cossitt’s 132 Year Anniversary. 132 years ago, the Cossitt Library opened its doors as the first public library in the city of Memphis, thanks to the generosity of Frederick Cossitt.This weekend, join us in honoring the legacy of Cossitt Library and celebrating the future of libraries and public spaces in Memphis.Come celebrate a milestone that represents more than a century of learning, access, and community. See more and share here.
 Memphis Cultural Coalition. Join the MCC for the Inaugural State of the Arts event on Monday, April 14, from 5:30pm-7:30pm at the MoSH Giant Screen Theater at 3050 Central Avenue. This FREE event will bring together artists, art professionals, cultural entrepreneurs, and everyday Memphians who support the arts and entertainment world. Share and RSVP here.
 Easter Egg Extravaganza. Join us for some Easter fun at the pool! This Saturday, Memphis Parks Aquatics Department is hosting Easter Egg Extravaganza at Hickory Hill Community Center pool. Kids ages five and up will enjoy Easter festivities, games, face painting, and prizes at this FREE event! Don’t miss out on the fun! See more and share here.
 Solid Waste Holiday Schedule. Plan ahead for Good Friday and be sure to look at the Solid Waste pick-up schedule for residents that gets trash picked up by the City of Memphis. See more details and share here.
Stay Connected:
🎗️April is Autism Acceptance Month, and the City of Memphis is proud to amplify voices making a difference. Mayor Paul Young sat down with Memphis' own Kia Shine to talk about his family's journey with autism and raising a non-verbal son. Their conversation sheds light on the power of understanding, patience, and advocacy — and how we can all help create a more inclusive world. 💙🧩 See the full video on our Youtube https://youtu.be/muV9qu6r4jg?si=An1XNj5pYFi3K7G1#AutismAcceptanceMonth #MemphisCares #LightItUpBlue #CityofMemphis
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