Memphis Mayor Paul Young confirmed he will ask for a property tax hike, explaining the money is needed to cover a budget shortfall and fund the city’s fight against crime.
Young announced his plans during a Tuesday event at Mount Vernon Church in Westwood that marked his first 100 days in office, revealing the city needs “at least $30 million” to fulfill obligations previously funded by expiring federal funding. The Commercial Appeal also reported Young also “vowed” a 10 percent “reduction in violent crime” each year he is in office.
”Now this is the hard part,” Young (pictured above) told the audience, according to Action News 5. He confirmed, “When I go to city council next week to present our budget, I’m going to ask for a tax increase. We’re going to ask for an increase, but we are going to return the value to you, the residents.”
“Our revenues are strapped, and we need more in order to do the things that we know need to happen,” he reportedly explained.
While Young said the property tax increase is necessary, the Commercial Appeal noted that he argued, “Our current budget gets us where we are, and we are just getting by, but I think it’s time for us to step into a reality that allows us to flourish.”
Turning back to his commitment to public safety, Young reportedly added, “If our residents, our business owners and visitors don’t feel safe, the numbers don’t matter.”
While Young reportedly pointed toward Memphis Police Department (MPD) data showing crime is slowing, earlier this month the city recorded 100 homicides on the 100th day of 2024, with police estimating the city could see nearly 400 by the end of the year.
Prior to taking office, Young pledged to announce an ambitious crime plan within his first 100 days in office.
A survey of major American cities with high crime rates found Memphis had the highest homicide rate per capita in 2023, even when compared to larger cities including Chicago, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Background Photo “Memphis City Hall” by Thomas R Machnitzki. CC BY 3.0.
