Collierville board adopts FY2026 budget and $1.62 tax rate, awards contracts and continues sewer discount for Carrier; residents complain about peacock nuisance

The Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen on June 9, 2025, adopted the town—s fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budget, approved a municipal tax rate of $1.62 per $100 of assessed value, awarded two construction contracts, extended an existing sewer-discharge discount for Carrier Corporation and approved a conditional-use permit to expand an automotive dealership campus. The board also heard public comments from two neighbors complaining that peacocks from a nearby farm are trespassing and creating a nuisance.

The measures together set the town—s spending priorities for the coming year and fund a range of capital projects, including library work and traffic improvements, while raising the local tax rate by 12 cents above the revenue-neutral certified rate required in a reappraisal year. Molly Maynor, the town administrator, told the board the adopted town budget totals about $133.9 million, with the Collierville Schools budget included at roughly $143 million for a combined total of about $277 million.

The board approved Resolution 2025-26 to adopt the FY2026 budget after a presentation that emphasized public safety, aging infrastructure, technology upgrades, a 5% pay increase for town employees and continued implementation of the town—s water and sewer rate structure. Valisa Wells, finance director, said the recommended tax rate of $1.62 includes the 12-cent increase needed to fund the board—s priorities in a reappraisal year.

The board approved a budget amendment (Resolution 2025-27) to reallocate funds inside the FY2025 general fund and capital investment program. JP Spas, the town—s budget officer, said the amendment appropriates $83,000 from unassigned general fund balance for mowing, weed control and restroom janitorial contracts and adds $120,000 for the Schilling Farms Poplar Avenue turn lane project, bringing that project—s budget to $391,800. Finance staff also consolidated two library-related CIP projects into the library expansion project.

On procurement, the board awarded the contract to renovate the police backup dispatch center at Fire Station No. 4 and accepted Shelby County 9-1-1—s $515,000 allocation to cover renovation costs (including dispatch console furniture and electrical modifications). Katrina Atkins, deputy town administrator, said the county—s allocation is expected to cover the full renovation cost.

The board also awarded the Shilling Farms Poplar Avenue turn-lane contract to NScore LLC for $256,474.25. Town engineer Dale Herrenan said the work includes construction of a 250-foot turn lane with a 120-foot taper, railroad coordination, clearing and grubbing, curb and gutter, stone and asphalt placement, sod and traffic control. The contract allows 120 days for completion and carries $1,000/day in liquidated damages.

On utility policy, the board approved Ordinance 2025-O6 to continue the town—s reduced sewer-fee arrangement with Carrier Corporation through July 27, 2030. John Fox, speaking for staff, summarized the terms: Carrier may discharge treated groundwater with a 30% reduction to sewer fees, subject to a flow limit of 500 gallons per minute and a chromium limit of 100 parts per billion; the town can suspend discharges when the wastewater treatment plant reaches 95% capacity or during required maintenance. Staff estimated about $305,000 in revenue under the agreement based on last year—s billing.

Planning matters included approval of a conditional-use permit for the Houston Lehi Business Center to allow expanded vehicle parking for Higginbotham Automotive (Mercedes-Benz). Jamie Gross, town planner, said the 3.36-acre tract north of Shelby Drive will be paved and developed to provide about 308 parking spaces, with conditions to prevent overflow parking on Summit Chase Lane and Shelby Drive and to add signage to protect fire-lane access. Grayson Vaughn, representing the applicant, told the board the dealer expects the added parking to address current overflow.

The board deferred the public hearing and first reading on Ordinance 2025-O4, a rezoning request for the Brawell Subdivision along Bridal Station Road, to the June 23 BMA meeting at the applicant—s request.

During public comment, Cheryl Hibbs, a Collierville resident whose property abuts Menagerie Farms on Shea Road, described repeated peacock trespass, noise and property impacts. —The only animal I have ever complained about is the peacocks,— Hibbs said. Her husband, Steve Hibbs, detailed prior code enforcement responses and said animal-control officers issued a noise summons but that the town declined to pursue a —fowl at large— charge because staff concluded the code language was insufficient. Residents asked the board to clarify enforcement options and fence-permit rules; the board did not take formal action on the complaint at the meeting.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 2025-27 (FY2025 budget amendment): approved. Vote: Robbins, Hall, Jordan, Marshall, Stamps, Mayor Frazier — all yes. - Resolution 2025-28 (amend town fee schedule): approved. Vote: Hall, Jordan, Marshall, Stamps, Robbins, Mayor Frazier — all yes. - Contract award: Police backup dispatch renovation (Fire Station No. 4): approved; funding supported by Shelby County 9-1-1 allocation. Vote: Jordan, Marshall, Stamps, Robbins, Hall, Mayor Frazier — all yes. - Contract award: Shilling Farms Poplar Avenue turn lane to NScore LLC ($256,474.25): approved. Vote: Marshall, Stamps, Robbins, Hall, Jordan, Mayor Frazier — all yes. - Ordinance 2025-O4 (Brawell Subdivision rezoning): deferred to June 23, 2025. Vote to defer: Stamps, Robbins, Hall, Jordan, Marshall, Mayor Frazier — all yes. - Ordinance 2025-O6 (continue Carrier sewer-discount agreement to 07/27/2030 with 30% reduction; flow and chromium limits): approved. Vote: Robbins, Hall, Jordan, Marshall, Stamps, Mayor Frazier — all yes. - Conditional-use permit (Houston Lehi Business Center; Higginbotham Automotive / Mercedes-Benz parking expansion): approved with conditions to prevent off-site parking and to add signage and fire-lane protections. Vote: Jordan, Marshall, Stamps, Robbins, Mayor Frazier — all yes. - Resolution 2025-26 (adopt FY2026 operating and capital budget): approved. Vote: Jordan, Marshall, Stamps, Robbins, Hall, Mayor Frazier — all yes. - Ordinance 2025-O5 (municipal tax rate for tax year 2025 set at $1.62): approved. Vote: Marshall, Stamps, Robbins, Hall, Jordan, Mayor Frazier — all yes.

What—s next - The Brawell Subdivision rezoning public hearing will be heard June 23. Staff said the library expansion project will return to the board with more detail in coming weeks. The peacock nuisance raised by residents was recorded in the public-comment record; staff and council members asked that code enforcement follow up under existing authorities.

Sources: presentations and motions as recorded at the Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on June 9, 2025. Direct quotations in the story are from residents and staff who addressed the board at that meeting.