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With this year’s budget, I've asked our team and City Council to help us hold the line and protect the progress we’ve made. My hope is that, together, we can continue to create a path forward that delivers wins for our entire community. As we navigate the FY26 budget and the impasse process, our focus remains clear: responsible decisions, sustained services, and continued momentum for Memphis.
When we say we’re in the Era of Yes, we mean it. Yes to safer neighborhoods. Yes to growing opportunity. Yes to improving the quality of life for every Memphian. But saying yes to our future also means being honest about the choices in front of us. It means making sure our ambitions are backed by a budget we can actually sustain.
Right now, we’re facing a $39 million decision – funding additional recurring requests tied to compensation for our represented employees, including Police, Fire, and others who keep this city running, or balancing the budget. These proposals come through the impasse process, a formal step that gives our union partners the opportunity to appeal directly to the City Council when agreement isn’t reached at the bargaining table.
Let me be really clear - these employees are the backbone of our city. I value each of them and recognize the importance of their contributions to our community. They do the essential work of running this city — from responding to emergencies to filling potholes and keeping our neighborhoods clean. But approving the full $39 million request would force us to cut over 550 other positions and reduce services or programs, and also potentially risk our fund balance and credit rating, all of which would hurt every Memphian.
 This moment and the decisions we make are about balance. About protecting the jobs we already have, the services residents depend on, and the long-term stability of our city. We’re going to keep saying yes, but we’re going to do it in a way that protects the future we’re all working toward.
What is the Impasse Process?
When the City and employee unions reach a deadlock in contract negotiations, the impasse process gives unions the right to bring unresolved items to the City Council for a vote. It’s an important part of our system — and it’s working as designed. But just because something reaches the Council doesn’t mean it’s automatically affordable.
This year’s impasse requests add up to $39 million in new, recurring costs. That’s on top of a base budget that already allocates:
- 70% of our $883 million budget is allocated to personnel
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Nearly 63% of our entire budget is allocated to police, fire, and those involved in neighborhood improvement
We are steadfast in our prioritization of public safety, however adding $39 million without new revenue would force impossible tradeoffs. So, we are asking that our community and our council support us while we hold the line just for this year.
 To be completely transparent, our goal is to create increases over the next three years that will more than make up for this belt-tightening we are planning for in FY26. Our police officers are at the top of my list for salary increases - they are responsible for public safety wins in every zip code in our city and they deserve to be the highest paid in the region, my goal is to get them there within the next three years.
We aren’t the only city facing challenges. Just look at Los Angeles: this year, the city is facing a $1 billion budget shortfall, one of the worst in its history. Years of budget growth without recurring revenue – coupled with high labor cost – have led to emergency spending cuts, frozen hiring, and warnings about mass layoffs.
If Memphis commits to recurring spending we can’t sustain, we could face the same situation – gutting services and stalling progress just to dig out later.
We're also giving time for our property tax growth to take full effect, setting us up for a projected $15 million surplus in two years (FY27). That’s when we’ll be in a stronger position to invest.
 The bottom line is that this budget isn’t about saying no. It’s about saying “not yet.” It is about choosing long-term progress over short-term pressure. It is about responsibility to our entire community. And we’re doing it because Memphis deserves a future built on both safety and sustainability.
We can’t afford to stretch beyond our means today and risk the stability we’ve worked so hard to build. That’s what responsible leadership looks like in the Era of Yes.
Let’s keep moving forward, together.
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 linked report below provides our weekly update on Part 1 Crimes. The Safer Community Dashboard updates daily. The charts compare 2025 to 2024 and Week/Week for 2025
 (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: 38106, 38108, 38112, 38133
Community Announcement:
To report concerns related to property violations, potholes, and trash, click the link here or call 311 to speak to a live agent.
In the Know:
NEXT Program. The Neighborhood Excellence Training Program (NEXT) is now accepting participants. NEXT empowers local leaders by providing the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to strengthen neighborhoods across Memphis. Through hands-on learning, workshops, and collaborative exercises, participants will gain the tools to become effective advocates and change-makers. Learn more and apply here.
Solid Waste Management Plan. We want your voice to be heard as we develop the 30-year solid waste plan to work towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for our city. If you have any plans, ideas, thoughts or feedback then let us know in this survey here.
CSA Community Needs Assessment Survey: Shelby County Community Services Agency (CSA), the primary provider of rent and utility assistance for local residents, is seeking your input! As they work to secure funding and shape future programming, your voice can help ensure resources go where they’re needed most. Your feedback plays a key role in building more effective, community-driven support across Shelby County. Take survey here.
Social and Community Engagement:
 Art for All Festival. Don’t miss out on the 2025 Art for All Festival, a celebration of creativity and community, this Saturday, May 10, at Crosstown Arts. This FREE event, presented by the Shelby County Nonprofit Committee, offers a day filled with art exhibitions, live performances, interactive workshops, and activities suitable for all ages. Come and immerse yourself in the vibrant local art scene and connect with fellow art enthusiasts. See more and get your free tickets here.
 Masters of Momentum Podcast. Check out episode one of the Masters of Momentum podcast where Mayor Young sat with host Sherica Hymes and co-host Roquita Coleman-Williams. We spoke about hope, resilience & building a thriving Memphis. The podcast is out on all platforms, check it out here.
 Frayser Library Opening. Join us next Thursday, May 15 at 10am to celebrate the grand opening of the Frayser Branch Library. This exciting event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the new space, family-friendly activities, and more. Come explore the upgraded facilities, discover new resources, and help us welcome this vital community hub back into service! See more and share here.
 Volunteers Needed. The 39th National Veterans Golden Age Games will be hosted in Memphis May 31-June 5 and they are in search of some amazing volunteers to make the event possible. Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our country and this is our way to give back to them and cheer them on as they compete in 18 sporting events for medals. See more and register here.
Memphis Public Libraries. Do you know any youth needing a summer job? Teens and young adults ages 16–21, don’t miss the Youth Job Fair happening Friday, May 10 from 1pm - 4pm at Raleigh Branch Library. Interview on the spot with employers hiring for summer, part-time, and full-time jobs. Come dressed to impress and ready to take the next step in your career journey! See more and share here!
Stay Connected:
Our Memphis is a vibe. Check out our recap of the 2025 Riverbeat Festival presented by MEMPHO.
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