There are 41 article(s) tagged Melvin Burgess:

• April 2026

  • The Democratic primary race for Shelby County mayor

    Here’s an overview of the Democratic primary race for county mayor, the seven candidates and their interaction with each other as well as the shadow of the outgoing mayor on the race.

    By Bill Dries April 15, 2026

• March 2026

  • No Kings march rallies Dems. Young stresses crime-decline timeline. Trump cagey in governor’s race.

    Before the violent end of the No Kings march, Democrats talked about holding elected officials accountable. Meanwhile, a Republican candidate on this year’s ballot is pointing to state takeovers.

    By Bill Dries March 30, 2026

• February 2026

  • Seven candidates stake out positions at Democratic county mayoral forum

    The candidates each talked about their differences with each other as the campaigns move past introductions.

    By Bill Dries February 24, 2026

• December 2025

  • ‘Long road’ of Shelby County mayoral race takes turn through LeMoyne-Owen

    There were some sparks and plenty of claims disputed Wednesday, Dec. 3, during the forum at LeMoyne-Owen College. The same five contenders who showed up last month for a Germantown forum took the stage in Soulsville.

    By Bill Dries December 04, 2025

• November 2025

  • Mayoral candidates define themselves at first campaign forum

    Five of the six declared Democratic candidates for Shelby County mayor spoke at the forum held by the Germantown Democratic Party at the Great Hall Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.

    By Bill Dries November 05, 2025

• October 2025

  • Memphis mayor vows to ‘remain at the table’ as law enforcement makes its way into city

    Mayor Paul Young made comments after a week that saw aggressive rhetoric about “unleashed” law enforcement. The same surge of state and federal law enforcement agencies is an issue in the race for Shelby County mayor.

    By Bill Dries October 05, 2025

• August 2025

  • County mayor candidate talks MATA, taxes and development

    Assessor Melvin Burgess Jr. came to the Frayser Exchange Club on Thursday, July 31, to talk taxes. He also talked about broader issues touching on his bid to become the next county mayor.

    By Bill Dries August 01, 2025

• February 2025

  • Road to new county budget includes some red ink

    County officials aren’t putting any dollar figures to the deficit they expect when County Mayor Lee Harris presents his budget proposal in late April. But it’s the talk of the County Commission’s early budget hearings.

    By Bill Dries February 17, 2025

• January 2025

  • What the county revenue forecast could mean for your property taxes

    Real estate values in the recently completed countywide property reappraisal are up about 27% compared to in 2021.

    By Bill Dries January 25, 2025

• February 2022

  • Orange Mound Task Force pushes to reopen homeless shelter

    The Orange Mound Task Force called on local government, business owners and community members for help bringing Juice Orange Mound’s homeless shelter up to code so it can reopen. 

    By Julia Baker February 10, 2022

• October 2021

  • Shelby County stays with four-year property reappraisal cycle

    The state Board of Equalization approved Wednesday, Oct. 13, keeping the four-year cycle after Shelby County Assessor Melvin Burgess Jr. changed his recommendation for a two-year cycle late last week to whichever one the state board preferred.

    By Bill Dries October 13, 2021

• August 2021

  • State delays considering change in property reappraisal

    The delay comes after all seven city mayors in Shelby County came out against the switch from a four-year reappraisal cycle to the two-year cycle approved earlier this year by the Shelby County Commission.

    By Bill Dries August 10, 2021

• June 2021

  • Flooded Germantown homeowners got no promises, assessor says

    The Shelby County tax assessor said on “Behind The Headlines” that Germantown homes reflect an increase in values in this year’s reappraisal despite 2019 flooding in some parts of the city. He also discussed a change in the valuation of commercial property and his call for a reappraisal every other year.

    By Bill Dries June 05, 2021

• April 2021

  • County Commission delays vote again on more frequent property reappraisals

    Some commissioners have doubts about the move to every other year reappraisals. Assessor Melvin Burgess Jr. says the results will be less sticker shock from increases in values after four years.

    By Bill Dries April 12, 2021

• March 2021

  • Vote on two-year property reappraisal cycle delayed

    The County Commission put off a vote on the change in the reappraisal cycle until its April 12 meeting as commissioners hear a lot from constituents about increased property values in the current reappraisal.

    By Bill Dries March 23, 2021

  • Flooded Germantown residents disappointed by reappraisal rise

    While many are surprised by their reappraisal, some Germantown residents feel the assessor’s office did not keep its promise after the 2019 flood.

    By Abigail Warren March 21, 2021

  • Photo finish: Commissioner questions why Assessor’s picture adorns reappraisal notices

    The notices are drawing fire from a county commissioner after the commission approved $180,000 more in funding last month for the direct mail piece. The assessor’s office says it is Melvin Burgess’ way of “owning” the process.

    By Bill Dries March 10, 2021

• February 2021

  • County Commission Scorecard: Vaccinating teachers, budget prep, bigger mail

    The County Commission Scorecard takes a look at votes from the Feb. 8 session. 

    By Bill Dries February 12, 2021

• January 2021

  • Century-old Glenview historic district is being reborn, one house at a time

    Homes in the neighborhood have fallen into disrepair, but renovations and new construction are giving the Glenview community new life.

    By Linda A. Moore January 08, 2021

• October 2020

  • Sometimes ‘home’ is a matter of the heart

    Paula and James Campbell know the appraised value of their Orange Mound home is far less than the $300,000 they spent to build it. But that’s OK. They intend to stay.

    By Linda A. Moore October 19, 2020

• June 2020

  • Burgess knocks ‘Bluff City Law’ tax incentive

    Shelby County Property Assessor Melvin Burgess Jr. said the $1.4 million tax abatement Comcast received wasn't what such incentives were intended for. It’s the second time Burgess has criticized EDGE tax incentives.

    By Bill Dries June 23, 2020

• April 2020

  • Comptroller sees problems with Burgess request on tax relief

    The state comptroller's office says any authorization to modify property assessments must come from the Tennessee General Assembly.

    By Linda A. Moore April 28, 2020

  • Burgess seeking state’s help on tax relief during pandemic

    Assessor Melvin Burgess needs the authorization of the state to move forward with initiatives to ease the tax burden for home and business owners impacted by the coronavirus.

    By Linda A. Moore April 23, 2020

  • Assessor: In pandemic, team effort needed on county budget

    We anticipate real estate sales and revenue from local income-producing properties to drop substantially as a result of this pandemic. Right now no one knows the outcome.

    By Melvin Burgess April 21, 2020

  • History shows budget problems predate pandemic, Burgess says

    A memorandum from Melvin Burgess to the elected officials details why he says Shelby County has a budget deficit.

    By Linda A. Moore April 06, 2020