[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6695029,"mediaKeyId","3769781-885bc8a3cb5216ad75f23f5bd9e698aa","parentId",3769781,"title","Residents press Germantown leaders on neighborhood safety, speeding and athletic‑center repairs during budget hearing","audioSeconds",169,"startMs",2804000,"endMs",2973000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3769781-885bc8a3cb5216ad75f23f5bd9e698aa&start=2804&end=2973","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3769781-885bc8a3cb5216ad75f23f5bd9e698aa/thumbnail_2804000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6695029/Germantown/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Residents-press-Germantown-leaders-on-neighborhood-safety-speeding-and-athleticcenter-repairs-during-budget-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6695029-f4b39740d0b7fbcd8a514052b41096f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183945&Signature=JFJde1lxmCKinpMGPMEoRbGwdwqjZrKOnRBFD~SYklrxLqB4iwLox0rHtaS~4T760GZGij-UN9UY66QxJ7l2KaApXyJmzRV8yCKJbMlG0oUTYg3DFXIwkniKrtELsEQ5AzD5Ri5I6TYfi9OHOSU4n7M3uDbdy9c-2xSy0WyMkfm4gDF~jwusTqbpc9FJsuJV6ofMhK6NDPNiC8dONaUgPnuFZFcW5sTcD2D5UgSyeSxoWBwL8lS~7gaooAOZn7EFBVL89PnJ747Ixa2lswwt2aOIHPq2XOnoU0qMJGvvVw3PKWsgz8tOAxNEq24uzNpf5YeKpXUJsiG~j2sa0wupDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Germantown","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","Several Germantown residents used the budget public hearing on June 9 to press the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for more traffic enforcement, neighborhood crime prevention and repairs to public recreation facilities.

Kenny Fields, president of the Bromley Neighborhood Association, told the board he and neighbors have seen a rise in crime and said two teenage girls were followed while walking near Cross Village. \"We are seeing more and more crime coming in,\" Fields said, and asked the board and police to consider intensified enforcement and community engagement in southern neighborhoods.

Neighbor Nikki Moss Seller said her neighborhood survey showed safety as the top concern and described sustained reckless driving and high speeds on local streets that she said make it unsafe for children to be outdoors. \"We're seeing speeds of 70 and 80 miles an hour,\" Moss Seller said, and asked the board to prioritize traffic enforcement and consider targeted funding for additional officers or traffic units.

Public safety leaders and staff told the audience the city is monitoring patterns and that Chief Michael Fisher and other public‑safety staff are available to meet with neighborhood groups to discuss data and enforcement plans. The board offered to schedule follow‑up meetings between police and neighborhood leaders.

Separately, regular patrons of the Germantown Athletic Club raised health and maintenance concerns. Longtime member Sean Christman and other users reported respiratory irritation they attributed to mold and HVAC problems in the pool enclosure, and urged immediate action. \"I can't swim more than 100 meters without starting to breathe short,\" Christman said, and asked club management and the parks department to investigate indoor‑air quality and filtration issues. Jackie Ross Flom, a parks volunteer, also described persistent HVAC and humidity problems at the club and urged the board to prioritize longer‑term mechanical fixes rather than temporary patches.

Houston High students urged the board to accelerate capital investment at the high school. Student speakers said dated classrooms, damaged desks, roof leaks in science labs and constrained athletic facilities undermine recruiting and could prompt families to consider other districts. \"These basic things not only matter to visitors, but also our students that go there now,\" said student Lila Jones.

Why it matters: Neighborhood safety and public‑facing facilities were prominent concerns during the budget hearing, and callers asked the board to consider reallocating resources toward more enforcement, facility repairs, and school capital. Board members agreed to follow up with staff and to meet with neighborhood leaders and school officials to explore targeted responses.

Next steps: The board invited neighborhood groups to meet with Chief Fisher and staff for data review and enforcement planning. Parks and recreation staff and athletic‑club management said they will schedule inspections and provide reports on HVAC and indoor‑air remedies and timing. Student and school leaders will be part of planned discussions with city officials about the Houston High master plan and funding scenarios.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Germantown - Board of Mayor and Aldermen - Jun 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several Germantown residents used the budget public hearing on June 9 to press the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for more traffic enforcement, neighborhood crime prevention and repairs to public recreation facilities.","taxTitle","Germantown, Shelby County, Tennessee","taxId",55572,"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},6695039,"Germantown board advances $211.3 million FY‑26 budget, proposes 29.13¢ property tax increase",5636,1684000,7320000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3769781-885bc8a3cb5216ad75f23f5bd9e698aa&start=1684&end=7320","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3769781-885bc8a3cb5216ad75f23f5bd9e698aa/thumbnail_1684000.jpg","/articles/6695039/Germantown/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Germantown-board-advances-2113-million-FY26-budget-proposes-2913-property-tax-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6695039-d1fa867e0d7b59d93d862d5ad21c69c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183945&Signature=hTkyNXantZghsqkceOnOpGsIkmQbITkseMz3QpR~T8SPUVnsLfnrLYJfcXbq-anf6qZL3CWtLV6kE~wr~~Mkfp1jzhlCDlSwFR0Bc-N8yp8Bn1dap~4QOtKrRFWw5oRI2oe99EXNUIW46UKc8XjuBJ7rd1kcVG9OF5l6dxLOY2zlTnS~e5EhqFj4995hSCiFxz8FBpHHw4As-2nciBQUws080uZqLGxufTExF8Y6JqnAWrgFxt~DM8HLqS7x7XcBn7rZcNUjFa72yAdSFN97p7foJEAX8p3VSLYZLXPAhhazWwEibrQQ3QiSiLWyOWgBQb62zEGF~geBZ1R6ijkiEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of Germantown advanced the fiscal year 2026 budget on first reading Monday, approving a $211,300,000 spending plan that includes $78,700,000 in general‑fund expenditures and a recommended 29.13¢ increase to the property tax rate.

The budget proposal, presented by City Administrator Michael Heisman and Budget Director Adrian Royalls, would set a proposed tax rate of $1.79 per $100 of assessed value after the state‑required rollback and an additional 29.13¢ adjustment to support operational and capital priorities. \"This plan covering the fiscal year ahead beginning July 1, represents one of the most important policy decisions the board will undertake this year,\" Heisman said during the presentation.

Administration said the FY‑26 plan is structurally balanced and grounded in the city’s Germantown Forward 2035 strategic plan. It prioritizes public safety, asset renewal, and infrastructure maintenance, and includes targeted investments such as park maintenance, pavement preservation, and continuing funding for the utility and enterprise funds. Director Adrian Royalls highlighted the multi‑year process that produced the proposal and said the general fund revenues are projected at $82.5 million, with property tax accounting for about 55 percent of that total.

Why it matters: Board members and residents framed the vote as a choice between preserving services and maintaining the city’s long‑term financial strength. Administration emphasized Moody’s/S&P bond‑rating goals and pension obligations as constraints on the plan. Royalls told the board the budget includes a plan to maintain the city’s asset‑renewal schedule and to keep pension contributions fully funded, items she described as nonnegotiable to protect the city’s credit rating.

Public hearing and citizen comments: The reading included a public hearing that drew about a dozen speakers. Several residents and three Houston High School students urged the board to accelerate capital investment at Houston High, citing aging facilities, incomplete science labs and limited athletic amenities. Student Ethan Stickles said touring families often ask about school facilities and that facilities “can determine whether families choose Houston or another district.” Other speakers asked the board to maintain paving and drainage investments and raised concerns about neighborhood crime, traffic speeds and the Germantown Athletic Club pool’s indoor air quality and HVAC reliability.

Amendments and board action: The board considered multiple proposed amendments before approving the budget on reading. The largest successful amendment increased the board’s proposed commitment to the Germantown Municipal School District (GMSD) high‑school renovation: Vice Mayor Gibson’s amendment raised the FY‑27 CIP allocation for Houston High School from $8 million to $10 million; the amendment passed (roll call: yes — Aldermen Salvaggio, Sanders, Yulicki, Hicks, Gibson; details recorded in the minutes). Several other amendment proposals brought by Alderman Salvaggio — including cuts to a planned citywide LED street‑light conversion, reductions to paving transfers, and new recurring allocations for school capital — were debated but failed on roll calls.

Key numbers and details
- Total proposed FY‑26 budget: $211,300,000.
- General fund proposed spending: $78,700,000 (a 2.9% increase over FY‑25).
- Proposed tax rate after rollback and adjustment: $1.79 per $100 assessed value (includes 29.13¢ increase proposed to support five‑year planning). Director Royalls explained the rollback process; the county and state certify the rollback rate to prevent a reappraisal windfall.
- Retirement (pension) actuarial contribution increases were cited as adding roughly $3.5 million over the last three years and remain a fixed obligation.
- Pavement management: the FY‑26 CIP includes $2,490,000 for pavement work intended to cover roughly 9–10 miles.

Board and next steps: The FY‑26 budget passed on first reading and will return for final consideration at the board’s June 23 meeting. Several board members said they will keep working with GMSD leadership and staff to explore options — including possible joint meetings — for longer‑term school capital funding. The board also directed administration to continue pursuing federal and state grants to leverage local dollars.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve FY‑26 budget on reading: Passed (motion by Alderman Yulicki; second by Vice Mayor Gibson). Exact roll‑call votes were recorded in the meeting minutes.

Sources and attribution: Direct quotations and program details in this article come from the budget presentations by City Administrator Michael Heisman and Budget Director Adrian Royalls, and from public comments recorded at the June 9, 2025 Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.","The Board of Mayor and Aldermen of Germantown advanced the fiscal year 2026 budget on first reading Monday, approving a $211,300,000 spending plan that includes $78,700,000 in general‑fund expenditures and a recommended 29.13¢ increase to the property tax rate.",{"_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},6695034,"Germantown board adopts consent agenda including paving change order and water‑plant work",217,908000,1125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3769781-885bc8a3cb5216ad75f23f5bd9e698aa&start=908&end=1125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3769781-885bc8a3cb5216ad75f23f5bd9e698aa/thumbnail_908000.jpg","/articles/6695034/Germantown/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Germantown-board-adopts-consent-agenda-including-paving-change-order-and-waterplant-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6695034-0d5a910003958cf631cd09f80db963a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183945&Signature=o-hlFe5ohSJOKkO0uS4MCV4Nr8oDX0wWvIdgprzYXWQ6cJl1YcV8b1aL5d3yk~5NETBf6H-V48ty4h09DIWQXMUTVGHJi-NGGAYYa1-1PS7V1OoIdr9u1OLOkAKN1ZA3YW3DEKOXnMdlF5a3FaiTvg~cidy9X2vPSGA4UAh7QfP~lZIvOgoag1qJnkU84nzKNU4D15Tgp~z-mytKIdztLKM2SJoACLddA8ijpFdke6bTcSj0AIgcLJvhI6Sy0DxOF57d9MDIxm-m2pBD2Tw0wzgkoPdT5gjseRMYNXJF~-UAUqZitMdnUSBKEWUas-1m~YApIHL4c2MI2eN84Xc7zQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Mayor and Aldermen unanimously approved the consent agenda at its June 9 meeting, moving forward a package of routine contracts and purchases that city officials said keep daily operations on schedule.

Highlights read into the record included a contract change order of approximately $121,000 for the city’s asphalt milling and paving program and a $481,000 contract for renovations to sand filters at the Southern Avenue Water Treatment Plant. Administration also presented development contracts for three projects (Old Fuel Green subdivision privatization; Southbank at 7878 Farmington Boulevard; Little Georgie’s Daycare at 8235 Dogwood Road), and a number of other items including a $235,000 professional services agreement for drainage improvements in the Red Bud Trail Drive area and a $79,000 HVAC repair purchase for Fire Station No. 4.

Assistant City Administrator Andy Sanders told the board the city expects to repave roughly eight miles this year and that the total milling and paving contract is in the neighborhood of $2.1 million. The consent agenda also included a $23,000 quarterly education governmental disbursement to Germantown Municipal School District (GMSD) and reimbursement of $47,000 for police overtime in FY‑25.

Why it matters: These items fund core services — pavement maintenance, water‑treatment plant upkeep and storm‑water and drainage work — that the city says are essential to public safety, asset preservation and service reliability. The board approved the consent agenda by roll call; no items were pulled for separate discussion.

Votes and next steps: The consent agenda passed unanimously (clerk called the roll; all aldermen present voted yes). Department heads will proceed with contract execution and project mobilization where applicable.

Attribution: Contract and amount details were read into the record by the mayor and explained by Assistant City Administrator Andy Sanders and staff during the meeting.","The Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved the consent agenda that included a $121,000 change order for the asphalt milling and paving program, a $481,000 contract for sand‑filter renovations at the Southern Avenue Water Treatment Plant, development agreements and other routine municipal purchases.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents press Germantown leaders on neighborhood safety, speeding and athletic‑center repairs during budget hearing

Germantown board advances $211.3 million FY‑26 budget, proposes 29.13¢ property tax increase

Germantown board adopts consent agenda including paving change order and water‑plant work