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Council includes $40,000 minimum-pay amendment in FY26 budget amendment
Summary
Council members approved an amendment to the FY26 operating budget (add-on Item 46) that council staff and sponsors described as raising the city's full-time minimum pay to $40,000; supporters said the change will help the working poor while one member asked for clarification on the caption.
The Memphis City Council on Nov. 18, 2025 approved an amendment to the FY26 operating budget (add-on Item 46) that council sponsors described as raising the minimum annual pay for full-time city employees to $40,000.
Councilwoman Green, speaking to the fiscal consent slate, said the amendment raises the full-time minimum to $40,000 and framed it as help for working families facing benefit freezes and rising costs. She said the amendment originated in budget discussions earlier in the year and that the change will lift many families closer to basic needs.
The amendment was presented as part of the fiscal consent items and was moved and seconded as part of that slate; the council approved the fiscal consent package, including Item 46, by roll-call vote. The agenda noted the item was added on and there were same-night minutes requests associated with it.
Outcome: the council-approved budget amendment will be incorporated into FY26 budget documents and requires city administration and payroll to update implementation details. Council members and staff indicated the matter had been discussed in prior budget sessions, and supporters described it as addressing near-term economic pressures for city employees.
