Memphis Zoo asks Shelby County for $1.5 million to expand free program, offset rising operating costs

Matt Thompson, president and CEO of the Memphis Zoo, told the Shelby County Budget and Finance Subcommittee on May 21 that the zoo needs additional operational funding to keep up with rising expenses and expand its free Tennessee Tuesday program.

Thompson said the zoo draws roughly 1 million visitors a year, with about 52% of paid admission coming from beyond 50 miles, and that its current operating budget is $26 million. He told the committee that roughly 95% of that operating budget is funded by the Memphis Zoological Society and about 5% is covered by a city management fee of $1.2 million that was established in 1994 and has not changed since.

Thompson asked Shelby County to consider providing $1.5 million in operational support and said the zoo has asked the City of Memphis for a parallel $1.5 million on top of the existing $1.2 million. He described…