Collierville board approves FY2026 budget, tax rate and multiple contracts; several ordinance actions passed

The Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Monday approved the town's fiscal year 2026 operating and capital budgets, set the municipal tax rate for tax year 2025 at $1.62 per $100 of assessed value, and approved a series of contracts and ordinance actions, the board said during a meeting at Collierville Town Hall.

The board voted to adopt Resolution 2025-26 to approve the FY2026 operating budget, capital improvement program and the school budget as presented by Town Administrator Molly Maynor; the total town budget shown to the board was $133,900,000, and the Collierville Schools budget was shown at $143,000,000. Finance director Felisa Wells told the board the recommended municipal rate of $1.62 reflects an addition of 12 cents above the $1.50 certified tax rate required by state recalculation in a reappraisal year.

The budget presentation emphasized public safety, aging infrastructure, information-technology upgrades, employee retention, and funding required pension and OPEB contributions. The board approved a number of CIP and non-capital projects highlighted in the presentation, including $3,000,000 shown for the library project and one-time funding for a comprehensive plan consultant.

Also approved were: a resolution to amend FY2025 general fund and capital improvement budgets (Resolution 2025-27) that included a $120,000 appropriation from the general fund balance to cover an accepted bid for the Shilling Farms Poplar Avenue turn lane and several capital program transfers; and Resolution 2025-28 to amend the town fee schedule to update user fees across multiple departments, staff said.

The board awarded a construction contract for renovation of the police backup dispatch at Fire Station No. 4. Katrina Atkins, deputy town administrator, said six bids were received; the lowest base bid was submitted by A and B Construction Company at $183,135 with an additive alternate for parking improvements that brought that bidder's combined total to $292,885.67. Shelby County 911 has allocated $515,000 to assist with the improvements, and the grant breakdown presented to the board allocated $325,000 for renovations, $165,000 for dispatch furniture and $25,000 for electrical modifications.

The board also awarded a contract for the Shilling Farms Poplar Avenue turn lane. Town engineer Dale Perryman said two bids were received, one was deemed non-responsive, and the lowest responsive bid was for $256,474.25; the contractor was listed in the bid tabulation as "terminated in score LLC" in the staff presentation. The project scope includes a 250-foot turn lane with 120-foot taper, clearing, curb and gutter, 480 tons of gravel and 122 tons of asphalt; the contract sets a 120-day completion window and liquidated damages of $1,000 per day.

In ordinance actions, the board conducted a public hearing and approved Ordinance 2025-O6 to continue a sewer-discharge discount for Carrier Corporation for an additional five-year term through July 27, 2030. John Fox, presenting, said the ordinance maintains a 30% reduction in sewer fees, includes a flow limit of 500 gallons per minute and a chromium concentration cap of 100 parts per billion, and authorizes the town to suspend discharges during peak treatment-plant capacity events. The town estimated approximately $305,000 in revenue under the renewed arrangement.

Other routine items passed on roll-call votes included approval of the agenda, minutes from the May 27 meeting, the consent agenda (items 8a'j), and a deferral of Ordinance 2025-O4 (Bridal Subdivision rezoning) to the June 23 meeting. A conditional use permit for additional dealership parking for Mercedes-Benz (Houston Levy Business Center) was approved (see separate article).