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Council approves charter change to adopt uniform civil-service appeal procedures after public debate
Summary
After extended public comment and council debate, Memphis City Council approved a referendum ordinance to permit creation by ordinance of uniform administrative procedures for civil-service appeals; proponents said it clarifies process and meets Tennessee Supreme Court guidance, while critics urged voters to reject vague language in November.
The Memphis City Council voted on Aug. 4 to place a charter amendment on the November ballot that would authorize the council to establish uniform administrative procedures and systems for disposition of appeals that affect civil-service employees.
Supporters, including sponsor Vice Chair Chase Carlisle, said the measure would align local process with the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act and provide predictable timelines and rules for hearings. "Right now, we do not have a process for how administrative law judges hear these cases; we do not have a process for how they are appointed, and we do not have a process that implements these rules," one council member explained during debate (Councilwoman Walker). Council members also noted delays in existing procedures, with one member saying cases can take "up to 2 years to clear a case," a timeframe the council described as harmful to both employees and employers.
Multiple residents and labor advocates urged the council not to forward vague language to voters without clearer explanation. Chelsey Cheshire, identifying herself as an attorney, told the council: "This ordinance would attempt to sidestep necessary procedures already in place and take away due process" and asked for a detailed explanation before the measure appears on the ballot. Maisie Hazard said she was worried that the language was "incredibly big" and left voters confused about potential effects on thousands of municipal workers. A series of public comments repeatedly asked whether the ordinance would weaken existing civil-service protections or allow politically motivated firings.
Council members who supported the referral repeatedly framed the change as employee-protective and necessary to comply with state court precedent. "The Tennessee Supreme Court rules that anytime a municipal government has a proceeding that affects the employment rights of its employees, it must give them adequate due process," one council member said, explaining that adopting uniform procedures would level the playing field by spelling out rules, appointment processes and timelines. Council members added that charter amendments can only be proposed at certain intervals, and that waiting would delay compliance with the court's guidance.
After questions and further clarifications, the council voted to place the referendum on the ballot. The vote was recorded and the measure will appear for Memphis voters to approve or reject this November.
The next step is voter consideration at the state general election; if approved by voters, the council would then adopt implementing ordinances that define the detailed administrative procedures.
