Budget subcommittee withdraws citizen review clerk positions, defers living-wage budget item pending compensation study

The Budget and Finance Committee Subcommittee No. 1 withdrew one budget item and deferred another after discussion about timing and the pending compensation study.

Item 8 — a resolution to create and fund three positions for a Citizen Law Enforcement Review Committee clerk in FY26, sponsored by Commissioner Erica Sugarman — was withdrawn on a motion by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Vice Chair Avant, and accepted without objection. The chair asked that the department or sponsor withdraw if appropriate; the motion to withdraw passed by unanimous consent and the item was removed from the subcommittee docket.

Item 7 — a resolution to raise the minimum wage of Shelby County employees to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) living-wage calculator level for FY26, also sponsored by Commissioner Sugarman — was before the subcommittee for consideration of budget appropriation timing. Legislative counsel Marcy Ingram explained that the ordinance changing the county code (the ordinance process) and a separate budget resolution to appropriate funds are distinct steps: the ordinance would change law, while the budget resolution would add money to FY26 if the ordinance passes.

Commissioners and staff raised timing concerns. Director of Administration and Finance Audrey Tipton and Gerald Thornton, Director of Human Resources, said the subcommittee should consider the countywide compensation study due to be presented on April 16 and the mayor’s proposed budget before committing FY26 funds tied to a living-wage ordinance. Clay Perry of administration confirmed the compensation study will be presented April 16.

After discussion, Commissioner Wright moved to defer consideration of the budget resolution for Item 7. Vice Chair Avant proposed an alternate defer date; the chair proposed April 23 so the subcommittee could review the compensation study and allow time for the mayor to incorporate any changes before the mayor’s proposed budget. Commissioner Wright accepted the amendment; the motion to defer Item 7 to April 23 was seconded by Vice Chair Avant and accepted without objection.

Actions at a glance: - Item 8 (create and fund three Citizen Law Enforcement Review Committee clerk positions): Motion to withdraw moved by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Vice Chair Avant — outcome: withdrawn by unanimous consent (accepted without objection). - Item 7 (living-wage budget resolution tied to MIT living-wage calculator): Motion to defer to April 23 moved by Commissioner Wright, seconded by Vice Chair Avant — outcome: deferred to 2025-04-23 (accepted without objection).

Ending: The subcommittee removed Item 8 from its docket and postponed action on Item 7 pending the April 16 compensation study and further calendared consideration on April 23. Staff were directed to update the subcommittee calendar and coordinate presentations for the next meeting.