District 2 Memphis City Councilman Brent Taylor proposed several million dollars in reductions to the Memphis City Budget that was recently approved. Taylor offered reductions in various programs to avoid a city property tax hike.
"I believe that it's the job of government to provide necessities not amenities," remarked Taylor as he made his proposed reductions. "City government cannot continue to raise property taxes on Memphians to fund a variety of dubious programs. The elderly and others on fixed incomes are finding it difficult to continue paying large property tax bills," said Taylor. "I'm concerned this budget and its accompanying property tax increase will drive more people out of the city," Taylor stated.
Taylor proposed the following reductions to Mayor Herenton's budget:
| Summer youth jobs program | 2.2 million |
| Downtown beautification | $364,000 |
| Clean Team | $365,000 |
| Streetscaping | $850,000 |
| Neighborhood Demonstration grants | $350,000 |
| Memphis Development fund | $300,000 |
| Head Start | $500,000 |
| MATA | $500,000 |
| MATA trolley extension | $7.4 million |
| Stax Rock & Soul Museum | $2.5 million |
During budget committee hearings, the council rejected Taylor's proposed reductions in these programs. The council approved a budget with a 60-cent increase in the property tax rate. Councilman Taylor voted against the budget and tax increase.
"The budget approved by the council unnecessarily expands city government; that's why I voted against it. Programs were funded that are not essential. I voted against the property tax increase because it was not needed to fund basic services," said Taylor. "City government has to learn to live within its means just like Memphis families," the councilman noted.
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