Council member said he’s not subject of ethics investigation
Memphis City Council member JB Smiley Jr. is named in a May letter as urging the city administration to hire Chairwoman Jana Swearengen-Washington’s niece in the city’s IT division.
Topic: Memphis City Council
RSSThere are 1105 article(s) tagged Memphis City Council:
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July 2026
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Council chair allegedly pushed staff for donations
In May, the City Council’s chief administrator raised various concerns about Chairwoman Jana Swearengen-Washington. Among them, that the councilperson was using city resources for her and her husband’s church.
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City of Memphis investigating potential ethics violations
It is not clear what the city’s independent counsel is investigating, but a person familiar with the matter said it could be for potential violations of state, local and federal laws.
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City Council renews grant program, approving $13,000 for temporary housing
The Memphis City Council’s $2.6 million grant fund allocates $200,000 for each council member to propose grants to nonprofits.
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City Council’s light agenda includes renewed grants program
The council’s discussion of grant rules comes after city auditors questioned the $13,000 grant awarded to a County Commissioner-elect.
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June 2026
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Incoming County Commissioner accused of misusing taxpayer dollars
Incoming Shelby County Commissioner Lashanta Rudd is accused of buying a Nissan Sentra and incurring at least $5,000 in improper expenses using City of Memphis taxpayer dollars.
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Memphis budget passes during fractious day at City Hall
Memphis sanitation workers did not receive the 5% raise they wanted, raising the possibility that city trash might not get picked up.
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Memphis City Council approves $5M for AutoZone Park
The Memphis City Council approved $5 million for repairs and renovation work at AutoZone Park. It will take a broader look at multiple uses for the ballpark that is home to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds.
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Solid waste pay raise, 11 amendments complicate city budget
The city’s new fiscal year starts July 1. Here are the issues and budget amendments that the City Council will work through at their last regular meeting in June.
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City and county budget seasons are winding down. Here’s what two local leaders have to say.
The Shelby County Commission is looking at a possible tax increase while the Memphis City Council is expected to keep the city’s tax rate the same.
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Funding for Audubon Park splash pad, clubhouse moves forward
The Memphis City Council approved funding for a new splash pad, parking and tree planting at Audubon Park.
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City Council questions need for AutoZone Park money
The council delayed a vote Tuesday on financing changes to AutoZone Park for two weeks. The new funding will help the park meet Major League Baseball’s minimum standards for its minor league ballparks.
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May 2026
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Memphis council chair warned her behavior could violate city charter
Memphis City Council Chairwoman Jana Swearengen-Washington has been accused of using her position to benefit her niece, who worked in the city’s IT department.
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City Council lets impasse ordinance veto stand. Now the rewrite begins.
An ad hoc group will now work on another rewrite to overhaul the 48-year-old procedure for resolving impasses between the city administration and labor unions.
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The City Council’s impasse over the city impasse procedure
At its Tuesday, May 26 session, the City Council will also take up a hotel surcharge for the Hyatt Centric at Beale Street and Riverside Drive, along with a name change for part of Alston Avenue.
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City Council to consider resolution opposing new congressional district lines
The resolution is not binding on state lawmakers, who have already passed the controversial plan. Council members also take a look at affordable housing in Orange Mound.
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Mayor Young vetoes council rewrite of impasse ordinance
In a three-page letter, Young writes that the ordinance “seeks to enlarge the Council’s authority in direct contravention of the charter.”
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April 2026
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Council hangs up over length of leases for city-owned properties
The sticking point is language that encouraged the administration to try to negotiate leases for terms of five years for projects like the Children’s Museum of Memphis and the new Metal Museum.
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City Council goes behind closed doors to talk MPD’s No Kings response
Council member Jerri Green said she wasn’t told why the items were removed from discussion but said an outside investigation of MPD may be needed.
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No Kings questions appear, then disappear from City Council agenda
As a march of more than 1,000 people Downtown was winding down, police pepper-sprayed and tackled individuals at the rear of the crowd. Some council members wanted to discuss that in Tuesday, April 28, committees but the items were taken off the agenda.
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How Memphis plans to spend $100 million in state money on Beale Street
John Zeanah said an interesting phrase as he stood outside FedExForum during a City Council bus tour — he called the area the “arena district.”
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City Council wants answers on ‘No Kings’ march violence
Two Memphis City Council members want police brass to answer questions about the police response to the March 28 march.
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Memphis Art Museum tour ends with $6 million
Memphis City Council members got a peek inside what will be the new Memphis Art Museum before voting to repurpose city funds for public infrastructure outside the Front Street museum.
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March 2026
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Cops on leave after violent No Kings march
Memphis Mayor Paul Young announced that the city will investigate police actions at a No Kings march in Downtown Memphis.
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City Council approves big changes to city impasse procedure
The rewrite of the impasse procedure is the most significant change in a process drafted in the wake of 1978 strikes by Memphis police and firefighters.
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