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This week, we adopted the FY27 budget. For me, budgeting isn't just about balancing numbers. It's about building the Memphis we want to become.
Every investment represents a decision about our future. How do we keep people safe? How do we strengthen neighborhoods? How do we create more opportunity? How do we do it all while first being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars?
For the second consecutive year, we've adopted a balanced budget with no property tax increase; a $906 million operating budget built on more than $50 million in operational efficiencies, alongside a $815.8 million five-year capital plan to keep Memphis moving forward.
This budget allows us to continue sustaining a Safer Memphis. Safer neighborhoods don't stay that way without continued investment. Since I took office, overall crime has declined more than 40% because we invested in our officers, firefighters, technology, and proven strategies. This budget builds on that, with more than $500 million supporting Police and Fire personnel, plus $841,000 for MPD sergeant salary adjustments, $500,000 for Sentinel cameras, $500,000 for parks security and illegal-dumping cameras, and $150,000 for the Safeways Initiative.
It also supports our Stronger Neighborhoods efforts. This budget invests more than $50 million in neighborhood services and infrastructure, including $21.5 million for paving and pothole repair, a $5.5 million dollar increase from FY26, and more than $18 million for blight reduction and enforcement.
Our FY27 budget funds Opportunity that Starts Early.We're investing $8.5 million in early childhood education, including $7 million for education partnerships and $1.5 million for Pre-K, plus $5.6 million in workforce and leadership pathways, including 3,000 paid MPLOY work experiences, $2.5 million for youth recreation and safe spaces like Cloud901, and $1.5 million for the Family Stabilization Fund.
The budget priorities ensure we are Building Stronger Communities.This budget includes a $3 million Housing Trust Fund, $918,000 for down payment assistance, $1 million for middle-income housing development, more than $15 million for neighborhood development, and more than $40 million for parks, libraries, and community spaces, including improvements at Robert R. Church Park, Kennedy Park, Mud Island Amphitheater, and an accelerated timeline for the Douglass Community Center.
And the FY27 budget Invests in Stabilization and Growth of programs and amenities that will make Memphis a city of choice.This budget provides $32 million for MATA, including $10 million in dedicated transit funding, more than $825,000 for the Office of Creative & Cultural Economy, nearly $15 million in cultural capital projects, including $500,000 for the Metal Museum and $1 million for Zoo maintenance, continuing investments that strengthen Memphis' arts, music, heritage, and tourism economy.
Most importantly, this budget shows our deduction to Investing in the People Who Serve Memphis.Nearly 72% of our operating budget supports City employees. This budget includes a 2% pay increase for all employees, $2,000 one-time bonuses for AFSCME employees, and a 2% pay adjustment for eligible part-time employees.
Budgets don't change cities on their own. People and strategies do. This budget gives us the resources to keep delivering on the work we've started and keep building a safer, stronger, more prosperous Memphis.
 This budget delivers city services, amenities, and initiatives that you will see and feel in your neighborhood.
 Our annual Fourth of July Celebration at Liberty Park will take place on Thursday, July 2, from 5-9. Learn more about the celebration and share with your friends here or here.
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