Shelby County commission reopens vote on civilian law-enforcement review clerk posts, sends matter to committee

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners on March 17 reconsidered an item to add three staff positions to support the Citizen Law Enforcement Review Committee and referred the matter to a Budget and Finance Committee meeting on March 26 for further review and public input.

The reconsideration restored Item 35 to the floor after Commissioner Michael Ford moved to bring the measure back and Commissioner Erica Sugarman seconded. Sugarman told the commission she had received calls from clergy, nonprofit leaders and members of the public asking why the county had not completed the final staffing step for the civilian review board. “The commission did pass the CLERB…The last step is actually to hire three individuals — a clerk, an investigator, and an administrator — to serve,” Sugarman said.

Sugarman said community members and appointed board members want the positions filled so the board can begin investigations and administrative duties it was created to perform. Commissioner Ford said bringing the item back would allow public testimony and a fuller committee discussion.

After brief discussion, commissioners voted without objection to refer the item to the committee meeting scheduled for March 26 so that members of the public and interested parties can speak and the committee can gather additional information. The motion to refer was seconded by Ford and adopted without recorded opposition.

The referral leaves the ordinance that created the civilian review board in place; the outstanding question is whether the commission will appropriate and authorize three budgeted positions in the FY2026 budget to staff the board.

Commissioners and staff said the March 26 committee session will provide an opportunity for board members, community stakeholders and county departments to present information about the clerk, investigator and administrator roles and the budgetary impact of those hires.