GOVGUIDE
Your vote matters in Tennessee. Here is a breakdown of who you get to cast your vote the upcoming elections.
Federal
| U.S. Representative |
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| Senator |
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State
| Governor |
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| General Assembly |
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Local-City
| Mayor |
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| City Council |
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Local-County
| Mayor |
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| County Commission |
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| Board of Education |
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| Circuit Court Clerk |
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| Criminal Court Clerk |
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| County Clerk |
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| County Register |
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| County Sheriff |
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| County Trustee |
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| District Attorney General |
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| General Sessions Court Clerk |
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| Juvenile Court Clerk |
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| Probate Court Clerk |
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| Property Assessor |
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City Government
The City of Memphis was founded in 1819 and incorporated in 1826. Today, it is the largest majority-Black City in America, with a population of over 600K in the metro area alone. Memphis is governed by a mayor and a 13-member City Council.
Memphis is the 25th-largest city in the United States in terms of population and has a land mass of 301 square miles. Memphis has over 6,800 lane-miles of city streets, enough to drive back and forth to Los Angeles four times.
Memphis uses a strong-mayor form of government in which the city council acts as a check against the executive branch’s power. The Memphis council is responsible for approving the city budget, making land use decisions, and approving, amending, or rejecting other legislative proposals.
The mayor provides leadership and operational guidelines to all divisions within city government and has sole contracting authority for the city.
The mayor and council members are elected to four-year terms with a limit of two terms. The current mayor-council form of government was put into place on Jan. 1, 1968, replacing a commission form of government dated to 1909.
The mayor carries out City policies and appoints board members to various agencies, commissions, and authorities, including the Memphis Light, Gas, and Water Division and the Memphis Area Transit Authority.
Interested in running for office? Qualifications of Mayor and Commissioners
Do you want to read about the city ordinances? Code of Ordinances
Wonder what is in the city charter? Memphis City Charter
Budget Process
In the State of Tennessee, local governments are mandated to prepare an annual budget document that must include the following key elements:
- Anticipated Revenues: This section should detail all sources of expected income for the upcoming fiscal year, including taxes, grants, fees, and other revenue streams.
- Proposed Appropriations: This part outlines the proposed expenditures for each department or agency within the local government. It details how the anticipated revenues will be allocated to various departments, services, and projects.
- Comparative Financial Data:
- Actual Revenues and Expenditures for the Preceding Year: This provides a historical perspective, showing what was actually received and spent in the last fiscal year.
- Estimated Revenues and Costs for the Current Year: Based on at least six months of financial data, this section forecast the revenues and expenditures for the current fiscal year, allowing for a mid-year assessment.
- Outstanding Indebtedness: This section should list all debts, including bonds, loans, and other long-term obligations.
- Anticipated Surplus: Any expected surplus for the upcoming fiscal year should be documented. This includes any excess revenues over expenditures the local government hopes to carry forward.
These requirements are intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective financial planning within local governments in Tennessee. By comparing past, current, and future financial data, local governments can better manage resources and make informed decisions regarding fiscal policy and public expenditures.
Developing a local budget is comparable to balancing a personal budget. What one spends is similar to the expenditures for various government services. What one earns from a job or business is comparable to different sources of local government revenue (sometimes referred to as “other revenues”).
The final factor bringing the budget into balance is the property tax levy, which makes up the difference between total estimated expenditures and total estimated “other revenues” (e.g., federal or state funding, as well as fines, fees, and forfeitures). Any change in either expenditures or other revenues will therefore change the amount of the property tax.
Memphis divides the budget process into “capital” and “operating” sections. The “capital budget’ provides for the acquisition of long-lived assets such as land, buildings, and motor vehicles. The “operating budget” contains salaries, wages, benefits, materials and supplies, purchased services, and short-lived assets such as office equipment.
After the Mayor of Memphis initially proposes the budget, the Memphis City Council holds a series of budget hearings. City council is responsible for approving the budget and setting the tax rate that will be used to fund it. Budget hearings are open to the public.
You can find the current budget and finance documents here.
For more information about the budget process in Tennessee, check out this link
City of Memphis Open Records
The City of Memphis believes in transparency. The Tennessee Public Records Act gives citizens the right to request documents.
For more information about what documents are available. Check out these FAQ’s
To submit a records request, click here.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young
Paul Young was sworn in as mayor of Memphis on January 1, 2024, with a commitment to creating a stronger, safer, and thriving community for all Memphians. He is a Memphian, father of two, husband to Dr. Jamila Smith-Young, and son of Pastor Dianne Young and the late Bishop William Young.
Young earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee, a Master of Science in urban and regional planning, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis. Young has spent the last decade improving the quality of life in Memphis by advancing housing security and fostering healthy neighborhoods where families can thrive.
As the President of the Downtown Memphis Commission and the former Director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development, Young applied a holistic approach to unifying the city through public and private partnerships and targeted investments in our future.
Young believes moving the city forward requires strategic investments in public safety, infrastructure, and the potential of our greatest asset – our people.
Request an appearance HERE
Request a proclamation: [email protected]
Memphis City Council
The Memphis City Council is made up of 13 Board of Commissioners
Seven City Council members are elected from single-member districts, and six Council members are elected, three apiece, from two super districts, each covering half of the city. Council members meet on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. These meetings are open to the public. The Council elects a chair and vice chair, organizes into committees, exercises legislative powers, approves budgets, and establishes the property tax rate.
City Courts and Judges
Memphis City Clerk
The City Court Clerk’s Office consists of the Traffic Violations Bureau and the City Courts, with four satellite offices located at the Old Allen, Raines, Union, and Ridgeway police stations.
The City Court Clerk’s Office is responsible for collecting all fines, costs, and fees assessed against tickets issued by Memphis Police officers and disbursing these payments to the proper accounts.
The City of Memphis Court Clerk’s office should not be confused with the Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk or the Shelby County Criminal Court Clerk’s Office. While all three are located at 201 Poplar, they are separate offices and handle different cases.
Memphis City Court Clerk
Memphis has three Municipal Court Judges who handle traffic-related cases and other municipal tickets issued by Memphis Police Officers.
The Memphis Municipal Judges should not be confused with the Shelby County General Sessions judges or the Shelby County Criminal Court judges. While all three are located at 201 Poplar, they are separate offices and handle different cases.
Memphis Boards and Commissions
Memphis has a long list of citizen-led boards and commissions, from the Air Pollution Control Board and Alcohol Commission to the Memphis City Beautiful Board and Minority Business Development and Oversight Commission. If you want to become involved, we are looking for residents to fill these openings when they become vacant.
Departments and Divisions
The City of Memphis has more than 15 divisions and departments. Here are some examples of who they are and what they do.
Public Works
The Public Works is responsible for everything from filling potholes to code enforcement. As the third largest division in City Government, it operates and maintains crucial infrastructure, including streets, sanitary sewers, storm drains, bridges, flood control systems, and the City’s Publicly Owned Treatment Works. And there is more: Public Works oversees Code Enforcement, Environmental Enforcement, Commercial Code Enforcement, the Grounds Department, and Memphis City Beautiful. It manages and maintains Memphis’s 320 square miles with 900 employees, a fleet of 580 vehicles, and 250 pieces of heavy equipment.
Solid Waste Management is responsible for collecting and disposing of all solid waste within the City following State and Federal Laws. In an ongoing effort to reduce the amount of garbage being disposed of in Memphis area landfills, Solid Waste Management has developed and supported various materials management programs and initiatives, including curbside recycling, yard waste composting, household hazardous waste disposal, and recycling drop-off centers.
Memphis Parks operates 31 community and senior centers, 16 pools (4 indoor), six splash pads, seven golf courses (four 18-hole and three 9-hole), 14 tennis centers, and 150+ parks. They produce year-round programming, including athletic leagues, fitness classes, afterschool activities, and fall, spring, and summer break camps!
You can see what is available and register for the events at the Memphis Parks Rec Desk.
You can also rent space at parks, pools, community centers, and senior centers. Click here for more information on rentals.
Memphis Public Libraries Memphis Public Libraries operates 18 branches across our City. In addition to books, they offer 300 to 500 programs a month that include everything from exercise and art classes to resume writing, computer training, and job resources. Check out the event calendar to learn more about our programs.
The Office of Community Affairs Works to help implement community programs. It promotes and supports ethnic and religious communities in Memphis and encourages citizens to improve their neighborhoods through collaborations with other City of Memphis divisions, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and businesses. The OCA offers workshops and training on creating neighborhood-based community and civic associations and provides other technical assistance to empower neighborhoods to help themselves.
Office of Youth Services The Office of Youth Services’ mission is to encourage and inspire the youth in the Memphis area. OYS brings together government agencies, private sector, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations to build stronger families and strengthen our community. Programs: Memphis Ambassadors Program (MAP), I Am Included, MPLOY, MLPOY Youth Summer Experience, Youth City Council Trash/Solid Waste
211 is the number to call for social services support. It can help residents with utility issues, food insecurity, protective services/domestic abuse, legal assistance, childcare, social support, housing, and mental health. LINC, the Library Information Center at the Memphis Public Library, is operated in partnership with United Way of the Mid-South. https://tn211.myresourcedirectory.com/
311 is the number to call to report city issues, including potholes, broken/unsafe sidewalks, property violations, sewer problems, traffic signals & signs, trash, recycling, and litter. The 311 website uses a bilingual chatbot feature, allowing users to effortlessly create or check their cases’ status in English and Spanish. The online 311 portal is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Office of Contract Compliance is responsible for increasing the participation of minority and women-owned business enterprises by contracting opportunities available in the City of Memphis. Office of Contract Compliance offers workshops and certifications for minority-owned businesses.
The Treasurer is where you go to pay your taxes. For information about property tax relief or tax freeze, or to look up your tax bill or find out more information about appealing an assessment. You can also pay your taxes online at https://payit901.com/
The City Engineer’s Office employs approximately 120 engineers, technicians, and clerical employees. This division is responsible for design, and inspection during construction of streets, bridges, storm drains, sanitary sewers, traffic control devices, and City facilities. This division also provides installation and maintenance of signs and markings along streets and maintenance of traffic signals for the City and Shelby County municipalities.
Memphis Police: The Memphis Police Department employs uniform officers and civilians to help reduce crime and make Memphis a safer city for everyone. We are working to make Memphis safer and stronger. You can view our Weekly Crime Trend Report here. The Crime Analytics Dashboard can be viewed here.
Memphis Fire: The 1700 Memphis Fire Department employees, operate out of its 57 fire stations. The main priorities of MFD are to provide fire suppression, rescue services, environmental and hazardous materials response, emergency medical response, emergency pre-hospital services, fire code enforcement, fire investigation, disaster preparedness training, and fire safety education.
Memphis Animal Services is the municipal animal control and sheltering agency in the City of Memphis. Every year, the shelter handles thousands of animals and works to get them adopted or placed in foster homes. Our Animal Control Officers respond to animal complaints called in by members of the community.
If you are looking for a job with the City of Memphis, the Human Resources Department is your first stop. We are always looking for great talent. Check out the positions currently open with the city here.
The Division of Planning and Development (DPD) is a joint division of City and County government, responsible for short and long-range planning, administration of community development programs, zoning and subdivision regulations, technical building codes, and inspection of development and buildings throughout Memphis and Shelby County.
If you are looking for information about building codes, subdivision development, down payment assistance, or a permit, this is where you need to visit.
The Finance Department handles the financial services for the City of Memphis. If you have questions about the budget, grants, purchasing, contracts, debt or investments, the Finance Department is where that takes place.
Housing and Community Development
The Division of Housing & Community Development coordinates programs funded through federal and state grants to assist Memphis’s residents and neighborhoods. Through cooperative partnerships with the public and private sectors, the Division oversees multiple departments dedicated to developing quality and affordable housing and giving business owners access to the region’s economic growth and prosperity.
FAQ’s
Where do I pay my taxes? Do I qualify for Tax Relief?
The City of Memphis has a range of taxpayer programs designed to assist seniors, disabled citizens, and disabled veterans or widows. For information about tax relief or freeze programs, Call 901-522-1111. Taxes can be paid at Memphis City Hall, 125 N. Main, Memphis, TN 38103, or online at https://payit901.com/
I have a complaint about a blighted property, where do I call?
You can file a request at 311 or use the 311 mobile phone app.
I have an Ethics complaint; where do I call?
The Board of Ethics has jurisdiction over all ethics complaints lodged against all full-time and part-time elected or appointed officers and employees, whether compensated or not, including those of any separate board, commission, committee, authority, corporation, or appointed. Call 901-415-2788 to file a complaint.
I have a question about a project planned for my neighborhood. Where can I find out information? https://www.develop901.com/ is full of details, from planned projects to permit applications.
I have a question about land use and development, such as how tall my fence can be or how wide I can make my driveway? https://www.develop901.com
Where can I get those free trash/recycling bins for events? Do you offer free mulch? Is there a place where I can borrow tools? Yes, on all questions. Memphis City Beautiful can assist you with that and MORE!
I am interested in becoming a certified minority business.
https://www.memphistn.gov/certification/
I am interested in Parks programs. Where can I see what is available?
You can see what is available and register for the event at the Memphis Parks Rec Desk. https://memphisparks.com/ev=7\’74/1ents/
Why are people arrested by the Memphis Police and let out of jail? After a Memphis Police Officer arrests a person and transports them to jail, the detained person is in the custody of the Shelby County jail. A Shelby County Judge sets bond, and it is up to the judge to determine bail. The case is handled by Shelby County prosecutors, who decide if they will try, settle, or dismiss it. The Memphis Police, the Memphis Mayor, and the City Council have no jurisdiction over the case.
Where do I pay my city parking ticket? You can pay for the ticket at the Memphis City Court Clerk’s Office at 201 Poplar, or you can pay online at https://epayments.memphistn.gov/traffic/
I am interested in buying a home. Do you have down payment assistance?
https://www.memphistn.gov/downpaymentassistance/
I am low-income and need home repairs. Are there any programs available? Yes, there are several local and state programs https://home901.org/fix-a-home/
I hit a pothole. Can I file a claim and be reimbursed? Potholes can be tricky. Please be advised that the fact that you hit a pothole does not automatically make the City of Memphis responsible for any damages.
For the City to be responsible for paying any damages for pothole claims, the City must be shown to have had notice of the pothole (i.e., known that the pothole was in the street) prior to it causing damage to your vehicle. The City also must have had a reasonable time in which to repair the pothole after receiving notice.
That time is typically five (5) business days from when the City obtains notice of the pothole. Also, some streets are the responsibility of the State of Tennessee. More information on city claims can be found at https://www.memphistn.gov/city-claims/
I am interested in having an event. Do I need a permit?
Depending on what you are planning, you may need a permit. Our Permits Office can answer your questions or help you apply for a permit. You can also apply online https://permitspayments.memphistn.gov/
Can I rent out space at Memphis Parks or Community Centers? Yes. You can rent space at parks, pools, community centers, and senior centers. Click here for more information on rentals.