[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6568393,"mediaKeyId","3194011-53abfdcb36722f8cac07b97687bf0afd","parentId",3194011,"title","Votes at a glance: key actions from the May 12, 2025 Shelby County Commission meeting","audioSeconds",6914,"startMs",2990000,"endMs",9904000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194011-53abfdcb36722f8cac07b97687bf0afd&start=2990&end=9904","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194011-53abfdcb36722f8cac07b97687bf0afd/thumbnail_2990000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6568393/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-key-actions-from-the-May-12-2025-Shelby-County-Commission-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568393-38596430b5e7b122edb782d6f0f404c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140291&Signature=iax2pxCQn9741L7M9-1kPUlzKrsrtJnd~qGUPEfDbxzYI4hmfqe707R9EvuwQPlWUiy80T~EjtUv~-0ughInJNrjzuF7JnjROlpRPVggR-J4067l4yaSXn8T0awjHEi4SfPPKulu-166X0vtbb6dESJwUoEiC7JT3559L9j~fYIB5djUj6jR6ZIMcwAPacSsJICBrq51yoI~dRUkmDbhM3skPvzZMv8V0FGyQ2LaG18zfy3ox-jQXoGFcaqHbDr3LPsC0EIrU0O8xBXNI6J-ngxCtIrFm4PsOqfDzwrLwUK0kepqfqvAfpF7g1f3WQzqpFjP2SvoXSKnuF0rqbTj6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shelby County, TN","date","2025-05-05T00:00:00Z","article","This at-a-glance summary lists major formal actions and recorded outcomes from the Shelby County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 12, 2025. For items where the clerk read a recorded vote during the meeting, that tally is listed. If a tally was not read aloud, the item is noted as \"vote tally: not specified\" and the commission clerk should be consulted for the official record.

Key actions (selected):

- Item 9 — Seward Sewer Rehabilitation Project: Contract awarded to Aves Contracting LLC, $1,316,000 (contract + allowance). Committee recommended favorable; final vote recorded as 12 aye votes in favor (recorded in meeting).

- Item 10 — State grant funds for program impact study (youth program evaluation): Amendment and appropriation of $62,500 state funds. Vote recorded: 9 ayes, 1 recused (Commissioner Wright recused), 1 abstention (Commissioner Brooks abstained).

- Item 14 — ONDCP supplemental federal grant for law-enforcement overtime: Appropriation of $60,000 (supplemental); vote recorded: 13 ayes.

- Item 15 — Waiver of UDC lapse requirement for PD 2023-008: Vote recorded: 13 ayes.

- Item 29 — Commissioners’ salary ordinance (third reading): Failed on third reading; recorded vote was 4 ayes and 8 no votes.

- Item 30 — Groundwater rate-making authority ordinance (first reading): advanced to second reading; first-reading vote recorded with 8 ayes and 3 abstentions.

- Item 31 — Pay parity ordinance for corrections staff (third reading): Adopted on third reading; recorded vote: 13 ayes.

- Item 33 — Charter amendment (conflicts of interest) substitute: Passed on final reading to place amendment on ballot; recorded vote: 13 ayes.

- Item 34a — Narrow ethics definition ordinance (substitute, final reading on emoluments): Passed on final reading; recorded vote: 11 ayes.

- Item 35 — Sheriff salary ordinance for term beginning 09/01/2026: Passed (recorded vote: 13 ayes).

- Item 36 — Joint ordinance to establish the Memphis-Shelby County Building Homes Program (first reading): Passed first reading (vote recorded; item proceeds to second reading).

- Item 37 — Resolution requiring monthly line-item financial reports to the commission: Passed (recorded vote: 13 ayes).

- Item 38 — Procurement for outside consultant to audit commission operations (up to $50,000): Passed (recorded vote: 11 ayes, 2 no).

- Item 39 — FY2025 ARPA reallocation $665,000 to nonprofits (amended on floor to redirect to mental-health facility): Initial motion amended on floor (amendment passed 7–6). Final amended motion passed 8–5.

- Item 40 — Request for TVA/MLGW public status update on XAI turbines (amended to require public forum): Passed, recorded vote 8 ayes, 1 no, 2 abstentions.

- Items 41–43 (add-ons and Milton Community Enhancement awards): Passed with recorded tallies presented during the meeting (see below for specifics).

Notes and next steps: Some items advanced to second or third reading and will appear on later agendas (tax rate ordinance was added to the calendar for first reading). If an item’s recorded tally is not shown above, the clerk’s certified minutes should be consulted — the audio record includes the full roll-call tallies the clerk read aloud.

Complete record and official minutes: The clerk’s certified roll-call list and posted minutes are the authoritative record for each item’s tally. This summary is intended for readers who want a quick reference to the meeting’s major actions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Shelby County, TN - --> Commission Meeting for May 5, 2025 - May 05, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of major formal votes and outcomes at the May 12 meeting, including ordinances, grant appropriations and resolutions. Where vote tallies were recorded in the meeting, they are listed; where tallies were not provided on the record, the item is noted and further detail flagged as not specified.","taxTitle","Shelby County, Tennessee","taxId",19114,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568398,"Commission reallocates $665,000 in ARPA funds to nonprofits, then amends to add mental-health facility funding after debate",2266,7644000,9910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194011-53abfdcb36722f8cac07b97687bf0afd&start=7644&end=9910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194011-53abfdcb36722f8cac07b97687bf0afd/thumbnail_7644000.jpg","/articles/6568398/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Commission-reallocates-665000-in-ARPA-funds-to-nonprofits-then-amends-to-add-mental-health-facility-funding-after-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568398-846e5787505fb4b323ca74505d707e78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140291&Signature=j0QEfwoM7l2185ITLtcFqKmf9TaFRxwCKUVaF6X1U9dzBbUzoT2EKIuq41BvTjRKe3kl20dM7ggljGT66UjU5AQQw7HWO0mbSsfbPwlDt3wrDcl3izjTZPxSU~jOQ8qMnJEloEpnP0pc6cdBgPHbF5xVQ2gsDuWegaHXISipkj1w8vKxH4Pd4xiGm1Fw86HVDQX5EkzGdDfBWNUB2jzv3cUkcMxpDLiwFpvek63C~pu0N2FHnzzxx318tb2QnUOrppZrBadh9pxdK0rfS3rqX~hFXvadlXIJ5R4~HRNLwcRlwG8g3SrCI-~XmmuHlitlwjHFyK-9whPuF1-~0QpA-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shelby County Board of Commissioners approved a reallocation of $665,000 in previously obligated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to a slate of local nonprofit organizations, then approved an amendment to direct that money to the county mental-health facility.

Sponsors said the funds were previously obligated projects returned unused to the county’s ARPA pool and could be reassigned under the final Treasury rules. Office of Innovation staff presented a list of organizations recommended for funding; commissioners debated process, geography and equity before amending the allocation.

After a floor amendment by Commissioner Bradford — which passed 7–6 — the commission redirected the $665,000 to the county mental-health facility. The amended reallocation then passed the full commission vote 8–5.

Why it matters: Commissioners and nonprofit leaders said the funds are intended to stabilize organizations that provide services to vulnerable populations and to support the county’s mental-health infrastructure. Several commissioners pressed for clearer, transparent criteria and a fair process for distributing ARPA funds.

What’s next: The administration will follow the amendment and apply the $665,000 to the mental-health facility project, while staff said they would return with details on obligations and with documentation about previous MOUs and uses of ARPA funds.

","The commission approved a package reallocating $665,000 of previously obligated American Rescue Plan Act funds to several nonprofits. After debate over process and fairness, commissioners amended the resolution to redirect the allocation to the county mental-health facility and approved the amended motion.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568403,"Juvenile Court employees raise retaliation, nepotism and record-keeping complaints; commissioners limited in action by legal constraints",647,2527000,3174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194011-53abfdcb36722f8cac07b97687bf0afd&start=2527&end=3174","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194011-53abfdcb36722f8cac07b97687bf0afd/thumbnail_2527000.jpg","/articles/6568403/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Juvenile-Court-employees-raise-retaliation-nepotism-and-record-keeping-complaints-commissioners-limited-in-action-by-legal-constraints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568403-4da8f75337002e985e49828d7c80bd16/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140291&Signature=dcpjudS6M8I8XThP9lx6vQUvPjqc3RVyZCypmja~FARonTXAkqrwixyqHXQ4WJFHBj~VOmSotXUEqXUWoSd-AcXCThNqlhCHEJe3nwDbXFoGSax24Pce38La3f8d8m7RHDBSLNVbvUJsn0fsK4bHiNV0X60CpddditswRgk8k87E-4-eDFLFLUFxzOcnvxNZCprxp8laZCaFSVEpxXPX0LSVmEjmtotaLGshAciHrunZmYBTXDeYk1JTwQf2egpch60CamkWO64QKJFzLdCS1ZwXyoMAfb1WpbKwPFr8JIR6SF7oBxBWuNXacg3UVZxl8O8zmdqYZJ7MZrN2msC0EA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several current and former Juvenile Court employees urged the Shelby County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday to investigate alleged retaliation, nepotism and other mismanagement at Juvenile Court.

Tamika Williams, a research specialist who said she had worked for the court since 2017, described a reclassification and restructuring that she said removed her position despite ongoing duties and alleged she was targeted after filing an administrative complaint. “This is a violation of TCA code 50-1-1304,” Williams told commissioners, referencing Tennessee’s Public Protection Act and saying she had received a right-to-sue letter.

Another employee, Patrice Minner, described alleged inappropriate relationships and favoritism, and said veteran staff had their jobs moved or degraded after speaking up.

Commissioners and county staff said their ability to intervene is limited. County Attorney’s Office staff advised that ongoing or pending litigation and the fact that juvenile court is a separate elected office limit the commission’s authority to act directly on personnel matters. Commissioner Clay Bibbs and others volunteered to arrange meetings between the complaining employees and the juvenile court judge’s office to clarify policy and next steps; the commission’s formal role would be policy review rather than direct personnel management.

Why it matters: The allegations involve workplace rights, potential retaliation under state law and the integrity of public services that impact youth. Commissioners said they would try to facilitate conversations and identify where commission-level policy changes (for example, on internal reporting or HR oversight) might be appropriate while acknowledging limits on direct intervention.

What’s next: Commissioners agreed to attempt to arrange meetings with the juvenile court’s administration and to consult further with the County Attorney’s Office about the commission’s policy levers; the County Attorney said the commission’s authority is limited when matters involve a separate elected official and pending legal claims.

","Multiple current and former Juvenile Court employees told the commission they face retaliation and alleged nepotism and mismanagement. Commissioners said the panel’s capacity to intervene is limited because the matter overlaps with personnel, pending EOC proceedings and a separate elected official's authority.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568407,"Commission requests public status update from TVA and MLGW on XAI turbines after residents' health concerns",653,10072000,10725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194011-53abfdcb36722f8cac07b97687bf0afd&start=10072&end=10725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194011-53abfdcb36722f8cac07b97687bf0afd/thumbnail_10072000.jpg","/articles/6568407/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Commission-requests-public-status-update-from-TVA-and-MLGW-on-XAI-turbines-after-residents-health-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568407-78e098a65fa2dc7f9fe15602a369112e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140291&Signature=DVLrRvsKF3h134tO~gDTcxrDFZ5RDDC83PLR3ZRDVvuO4J553CgtGkvBkKR9K41WaUyZ6xR6G8XjkmZ3YpscQF743fUq4ZO~U7BticrG4xO2ESWREdcA5qKxTkPtb2Tg2xmSziG4u-3AnSFricZ-ARINRTuLR4ly3eolixcuFgF6-lCi7PYzZItKdwxDH-ycWz-Jr9KjDj-Dr4x3sBQZrD44SuA5UfhFoMb873mvvFFhbx8vTpvG4k1V4V4-AOUaLwwzKSS8v8ZhttV2fLFfcM8CjpkegY8aLd6LcKND68ZP68DuIeqPXv32Freul~1LpAjhyFvtJyupsF2k9Cirjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shelby County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved a resolution asking Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Memphis Light, Gas & Water (MLGW) to appear in a public forum and give a status update on the remaining steps and timetable needed to end temporary gas-turbine power at the XAI / Colossus data center in Southwest Memphis.

The vote followed intense public testimony from residents and students who said unpermitted methane-fired turbines at the facility are worsening local air quality and harming public health. Multiple speakers asked the commission to demand a public, in-person update rather than an email reply.

Commissioner Eric Sugarman, a co-sponsor, framed the request as a transparency measure and said the resolution should be heard publicly. The commission amended the request during debate to explicitly require a public forum and then approved the resolution.

Residents described respiratory and environmental concerns and pressed for deadlines. Madeline Stowe, who attended multiple hearings on the project, warned commissioners that the data center’s rapid scale-up could dramatically increase power demand and emissions: “Who’s monitoring this? Who, is XAI compliant to? Why are these turbines continuing to run?” she asked.

Why it matters: The XAI/Colossus site in South Memphis has drawn national attention because of the company’s rapid buildout and questions about temporary gas-turbine usage, permitting and the potential scale of long-term electricity demand. Residents said the turbines are operating without adequate oversight and asked for immediate public accountability from the utilities that must provide or approve power connections.

What’s next: The resolution asks TVA and MLGW to provide a public status update to the commission. Commissioners said they want the utilities and other stakeholders in a public meeting so residents can hear timetables and ask questions directly.

","After extensive public testimony from neighborhood residents, the commission passed a resolution asking TVA and Memphis Light, Gas & Water for a public update on remaining steps needed to connect the XAI data center to local utility service and end temporary gas-turbine use.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6568411,"Commissioners approve charter ethics question after heated debate and public comment",677,7675000,8352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3194011-53abfdcb36722f8cac07b97687bf0afd&start=7675&end=8352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3194011-53abfdcb36722f8cac07b97687bf0afd/thumbnail_7675000.jpg","/articles/6568411/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Commissioners-approve-charter-ethics-question-after-heated-debate-and-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6568411-4cae18b2cbf7fc8ff65bc46b4e440c9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140291&Signature=kbtOAvamKbuoik8XNxzptYxEty8g0eTPeXwZ-U9pafn6vrKcLl5kEXMQZd03QJPASJokmXjXqlot6i0L8jmRrpSeuTtZvjs8CWxdZ4HO-GBaT5jNuQ1m7davAidUcwhOvXllA6lWf1caNhtNn3Gk4NCRxpUxA4lTLgXSethPTHam5sqzgJIOGEi~h0SdBQQJ5johoUwz-b2cEC9ugQ2a0Lf5AMHcIBEcEODt0FOXPCq~MWPZ5NwvzpLcblwsthAwhnZd3244~459AQI~tjucid0NjihwVi9lezUI~aVZkb7Fu7PVIuRKHU65W9QzGMlnlq7Sk4hisXSmaxbY0Y9ang__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to send a charter amendment on county ethics to voters, approving language that would align county conflict-of-interest rules with state ethical standards.

The vote followed hours of debate and drawn-out public comment, including residents who urged commissioners to slow further changes to the county’s ethics ordinance and warned against perceived political targeting of a sitting commissioner.

Supporters, led by Commissioner Eric Sugarman, said the measure would give voters the option to approve clearer ethics rules. “This is being proposed to align with state standards and to let the voters decide,” Sugarman said during debate. He and other backers said the amendment simply clarifies terms and responsibilities and will appear on the next countywide election ballot in spring 2026.

Opponents and several public speakers argued the measure — and a companion ordinance before the commission — risked being used politically. Leslie Rawlinson, a public speaker, told commissioners she was concerned the proposed changes would allow a small, appointed panel to move quickly on investigations: “He would ... ask new members to investigate Commissioner Ford and recommend immediate ouster from the Shelby County Board of Commissioners,” she said, referring to a claim about how appointments could be used.

To reduce controversy the commission bifurcated the larger ethics ordinance: it voted Wednesday to adopt only a narrow definition change (adding a definition of “emolument”) and to send the remaining, more extensive revisions back to committee for further discussion. That narrower item passed on final reading; the broader ordinance will be considered later after committee review.

Why it matters: The charter amendment goes to the ballot, meaning voters will decide whether the county’s charter language on elected-official ethics changes. The bifurcation left open additional ordinance changes that some commissioners and members of the public said need more time and transparency.

What’s next: Because the change involves the county charter, commissioners said it will be presented to voters at the next countywide election. The commission also directed the remainder of the ethics ordinance language back to committee for further work.

","The Shelby County Board of Commissioners voted to place a charter amendment on the 2026 countywide ballot to align local ethics rules with state standards; commissioners split the larger ethics ordinance for additional committee review after public concern about further changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key actions from the May 12, 2025 Shelby County Commission meeting

Commission reallocates $665,000 in ARPA funds to nonprofits, then amends to add mental-health facility funding after debate

Juvenile Court employees raise retaliation, nepotism and record-keeping complaints; commissioners limited in action by legal constraints

Commission requests public status update from TVA and MLGW on XAI turbines after residents' health concerns

Commissioners approve charter ethics question after heated debate and public comment