[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6582064,"mediaKeyId","3160389-e310151e11d7fbc8ec004daae4aa26dd","parentId",3160389,"title","Votes at a glance: Key Shelby County committee recommendations from April 30 committee day","audioSeconds",189,"startMs",52700,"endMs",242590,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3160389-e310151e11d7fbc8ec004daae4aa26dd&start=52&end=242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3160389-e310151e11d7fbc8ec004daae4aa26dd/thumbnail_52700.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6582064/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Votes-at-a-glance-Key-Shelby-County-committee-recommendations-from-April-30-committee-day","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582064-d4c476facaf9ac9099a16b980e537305/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961347&Signature=HcV4DOhKPKaXhOBPnN4KTLjKVIW2ynIKU7HjHbmSrhHxsiAf6pxFl9vhkvdk8ILHN6hlceldvfv7WrAOneRL31ugjeavKCc75-hGogt0AGDzE0dyQNy41bhW06ilZmTknNtcvThprdRWyHq8~6dhp16havE-MmRBcF7qvYnxHU-tZoUnoMsuG4rHF~OPjWdnmMpsF0rg~DhGNJPIiytzQFg9BT6fI6gyAIsZq5Us2ghQeHbvWJwByPgJoYwHqCMj2UC8OiXMk~B85zbE49kuOPydLU44gtJfBg-h9AkthXS9b43zmZ9iKXL0lJ8EuvtsqPPaOejnRs2Nif6cVCyyDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shelby County, TN","date","2025-04-30T00:00:00Z","article","The Shelby County Board of Commissioners’ committee meetings on April 30 produced favorable committee recommendations and other actions across several policy areas. This roundup lists the principal items, the motions, who presented or sponsored the items at committee, and recorded committee votes.

Votes and outcomes (committee recommendations)
- Cordova Ridge PD (public works committee): Resolution to accept public improvements and release the subdivision performance bond (cash/check dated 06/18/2021) for Cordova Ridge PD Fourth Amendment, Phase 12, Parcel 11B PD-0903-02cc. Staff reported the subdivision contains 51 lots and recommended approval. Motion moved by Commissioner Sugarman; seconded by Commissioner Morrison. Committee vote: Shugerman, Mills, Bradford, Morrison, Brooks — 5 aye votes. Outcome: favorable recommendation.

- Sewer Rehabilitation Project (public works committee): Resolution approving a construction contract with Abe's Contracting (transcript: Abe's Contracting / Abe’s Contracting LLC) for $1,196,000 plus an extra work allowance of $120,000 (total $1,316,000) funded by the State American Rescue Plan Water Infrastructure Grant and local match adjustments. Chris Mason, Shelby County Engineering, noted the grant match formula and that prior local design costs are being applied to the match. Motion moved by Commissioner Sugarman; seconded by Commissioner Mills. Committee vote: Sugarman, Mills, Bradford, Morrison, Brooks — 5 aye votes. Outcome: favorable recommendation.

- Z2024-011CO, 10827 U.S. Highway 64 (Land Use, Planning, Transportation & Codes): Ordinance on second reading to amend the Unified Development Code to rezone property in unincorporated Shelby County from Conservation Agriculture to CMU-3 (Commercial Mixed Use 3) for a sliver of frontage on Highway 64. DPD staff (Brett Ragsdale) reported 25 notices were mailed and the applicant held one neighborhood meeting; the Land Use Control Board recommended approval. Motion moved by Commissioner Avant; seconded by Commissioner Mills. Committee vote: Sugarman, Mills, Bradford, Morrison — 4 aye, Brooks — abstain. Outcome: favorable recommendation with 1 abstention.

- PD2023-008 time-lapse waiver (Land Use): Resolution waiving the Unified Development Code’s time-lapse requirement to allow an applicant for PD2023-008 to refile a similar application. Sponsor: Commissioner Amber Mills. Committee vote: Sugarman, Mills, Bradford, Brooks — 4 aye votes. Outcome: favorable recommendation.

- Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence grant (Community Services): Resolution to amend the FY2025 grant fund operating budget to accept $6,700 for direct emergency assistance to victims of crime (period 07/01/2024–06/30/2025). Presenter: Sandy Bromley, Division of Community Services. Motion moved by Commissioner Sugarman; seconded by Commissioner Mills. Committee vote: Sugarman, Mills, Bradford, Brooks — 4 aye votes. Outcome: favorable recommendation.

- FY2025 community nonprofit appropriations (Budget & Finance committee): Substitute resolution amending the FY2025 operating budget and appropriating $665,000 (substitute caption; original $540,000) to support several local nonprofit organizations (Power Center CDC, SisterReach, Clean Memphis, Limon Owens CDC in partnership with City Leadership, and the Military Tri-State area retirees project, among others). Office of Innovation staff presented; the funds are drawn from previously encumbered ARPA-related funds for projects that did not advance. Committee action recorded: 3 aye votes, 2 abstentions. Outcome: favorable recommendation (record shows 3 ayes, 2 abstains); several commissioners requested follow-up documentation on ARPA funding eligibility, remaining ARPA project details, and oversight for grants that include travel or event support.

- Budget and finance: March 2025 monthly financial update (Administration & Finance). Deputy Director Daniel Schonbaum reported property tax and other revenues higher than prior year; personnel expenditures up $19.2 million; county credit ratings were affirmed at AA1/AA+. Motion to receive and file report passed with committee recommendation (4 aye votes recorded in committee). Outcome: favorable recommendation.

- Shelby County Chancery Court FY2025 operating budget amendment (Budget & Finance): Deferred for later committee consideration to allow time for compensation-study data and subcommittee review (moved to May dates). Outcome: deferred.

- Land bank and delinquent tax property conveyances/sales (Core City Neighborhoods & Housing): Resolution approving conveyance of two delinquent-tax parcels to the Town of Arlington for green space adjacent to the Wolf River (appraisals indicated ~$11,300 and ~$7,000); and a bundled sale of 98 delinquent-tax parcels to identified purchasers (total sale proceeds reported $255,750). Land Bank staff presented. Committee votes recorded: conveyance to Arlington — favorable recommendation (3 aye votes); bundled sales — favorable recommendation (4 aye votes reported elsewhere). Outcome: favorable recommendations.

- Building Home / Homestead Act joint ordinance (Core City Neighborhoods & Housing): First reading of a joint city-county ordinance to reauthorize and rebrand a homestead-style program as the Building Home program to transfer surplus public land to qualified builders under performance agreements to guarantee constructed housing returns to the tax rolls. DPD presented the program structure; policy and implementation details to follow in subsequent committee sessions. Committee action: first reading with favorable committee recommendation (2 aye votes recorded in committee). Outcome: move forward to additional readings.

- Pay parity and related public-safety items (Law Enforcement, Corrections & Courts): Substitute ordinance adjusting Shelby County Division of Corrections compensation to align with Shelby County Sheriff corrections deputies (pay parity). Committee passed substitute with effective date 15 days after passage (mover: Commissioner Sugarman; substitute approved in committee; recorded committee vote reflected aye counts). Additional Sheriff's Office items — contracts, grants and equipment purchases — were recommended favorably by committee.

- Trustee third-quarter report and audit committee items: The Shelby County Trustee presented the third-quarter revenue and collection report (net property collections ~95% through third quarter) and highlighted the county portfolio and adulting 101 outreach; committee recommended receiving and filing the report (committee vote: 6 aye). Outcome: favorable recommendation.

What to watch next
- The nonprofit appropriations drew questions about ARPA funding eligibility and project reallocation; commissioners requested follow-up documentation and recommended staff bring clear funding-source memos before final county appropriation on the commission floor.
- The Building Home ordinance will return for subsequent readings with policies and procedures to be finalized, including applicant qualifications and anti-displacement language discussed by stakeholder groups.
- The XAI matter (Hospitals & Health item) will return as a continuing oversight item with monthly updates requested by the committee, and the health department and county attorney will provide written timelines and legal analyses.

Sources and presenters
Items were presented by Shelby County staff and departmental directors including Ahmad Nemati (Public Works), Chris Mason (Shelby County Engineering), Brett Ragsdale (DPD), Sandy Bromley (Division of Community Services), Daniel Schonbaum (Deputy Director, Administration & Finance), Nora Sarsour Ishmael (Office of Innovation), Esther Sykes Wood (Land Bank administrator) and Casey Smith Alexander (Shelby County Health Department). Commissioners who moved or sponsored items include Erica Sugarman, Amber Mills, David C. Bradford Jr., Henry E. Brooks, Charlie Caswell Jr., Miska Clay Bibbs and Edmond Ford Jr.

This roundup reflects committee-level actions and recommendations on April 30; items will advance to the full Shelby County Board of Commissioners (the commission floor) for final votes according to the commission calendar.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Shelby County, TN - --> Committee Meeting for April 30, 2025 - Apr 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee day on April 30 produced favorable recommendations on subdivision acceptance, a $1.316 million sewer contract funded with ARPA water infrastructure grant proceeds, a rezoning on U.S. Highway 64, nonprofit appropriations and several land-bank sales.","taxTitle","Shelby County, Tennessee","taxId",19114,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582069,"Shelby County commission asks TVA and MLGW for timeline on XAI grid connection after residents report dozens of turbines",5506,101780,5608580,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3160389-e310151e11d7fbc8ec004daae4aa26dd&start=101&end=5608","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3160389-e310151e11d7fbc8ec004daae4aa26dd/thumbnail_101780.jpg","/articles/6582069/Shelby-County/Tennessee/Shelby-County-commission-asks-TVA-and-MLGW-for-timeline-on-XAI-grid-connection-after-residents-report-dozens-of-turbines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582069-7510202eeffa8f1b420d80f366d8e9d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770961347&Signature=K8GvRwud641yIH2r5kC3tv-GOJBd3b30dKWu4LNNaGMtAp6l67dw1ZXie5SNfxVJXDFiAQ4fSC70MCFeoQCex8m~ATzZVAqnVuRSaBCasnh7bWxbnQT4CiV~TMdpDm0twOsDOz7ke1SMP~O~fcTrS1pXkFjQxmDcx1t0xo617oOjlDc~UiTR1DSgMtFI5WmHgp~zIidtFBW4dmyG9V2040GP66EPa2CgQSk~Ar0VGw3kl1eCZY3EgUDSJbZRgZmTeFG4WeYWzSVFgsz3Qby91DFv0ZrWNxDt6nhreU5AV7TuSTVj7WO4XO~HLBxt2f5BGV39RZPnAnydYIJNy7YwKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shelby County Commissioners on Wednesday asked Tennessee Valley Authority and Memphis Light, Gas & Water to spell out remaining steps and timing to connect XAI to the local electric grid, saying the answers are needed to end use of temporary gas turbines at the company's South Memphis site.

The request, sponsored by Commissioner Erica Sugarman and seconded in committee by Commissioner Edmond Ford Jr., passed with a favorable committee recommendation and a later amendment requiring monthly updates to the commission on the status of grid connection and permitting. The Hospitals & Health Committee also recorded extensive public comment from residents and community groups who said dozens of turbines are operating now and urged county and state agencies to act quickly.

Why this matters: Residents and advocates said sustained turbine operation is already harming air quality in parts of South Memphis and Whitehaven, ZIP codes 38109 and 38116, areas community speakers identified as having elevated respiratory and cancer rates. County health staff said they are actively reviewing permit comments and that it could be \"weeks\" before the department reaches a permitting decision; they said a permit issued for turbines that have operated more than 364 days converts those units to a permanent source under county permitting rules.

The department’s timeline and limits
Casey Smith Alexander, deputy director of the Shelby County Health Department, told the committee the department has received hundreds of public comments and is reviewing them. She said staff are actively working through the submissions and that it will likely be \"weeks\" before the department can decide whether to issue a permit. She explained that a short-term or mobile turbine that operates beyond the local 364-day threshold becomes a permanent source and therefore requires a different permitting review.

On enforcement, the deputy director said if a facility operates in violation of permit terms county inspectors can pursue hearings and fines; the committee heard from the county attorney that federal enforcement authorities (EPA) set certain penalty levels. County Attorney Megan Smith said the commission does not have legal authority to impose a moratorium on permitting and that a moratorium is not defined in the statutes and rules that govern the county’s air permitting process.

Public concerns and evidence cited
Many residents, neighborhood organizers and health advocates spoke in committee. Speakers described ongoing community health problems, cited thermal imaging and flyover data that observers said showed 33 turbines in operation, and said XAI and others have not adequately engaged the South Memphis community. Representative comments included:
- Brandy Price: said the situation is an \"unnatural\" threat and called for accountability for public officials and companies who arranged the site operations.
- Zoe Dondelinger and Pierce Robinson: said they were concerned about unpaid utility bills and the company’s honesty about how many turbines are operating.
- Adrianna Martin and Kimberly Davis (community health advocates): described how humidity plus emissions can increase formation of secondary pollutants such as ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter, raising respiratory and cardiovascular risks.
- Orion Overstreet and others representing student and environmental groups: urged sustained public pressure and said young people will monitor the issue ahead of elections.

What the commission did
- The committee passed a resolution asking TVA and MLGW for a written status update on remaining steps and timing to connect XAI to the local grid. The original resolution set a target date for a written response; Commissioners later amended it to require monthly updates to the commission in addition to the written status report. (Motion: request status update from TVA and MLGW; Mover: Commissioner Erica Sugarman; Second: Commissioner Edmond Ford Jr.; Committee vote: Bibbs, Sugarman, Ford, Brooks — 4 aye votes; outcome: favorable recommendation; amendment requiring monthly updates: moved by Commissioner Ford, seconded by Commissioner Sugarman; approved by voice/consent.)

County legal and regulatory limits
County attorneys told commissioners they lack authority to implement a moratorium on permitting for the XAI site; the county must follow state and federal permitting law. The deputy director confirmed the health department is coordinating with EPA Region 4 on broader environmental justice issues because the ZIP codes surrounding the facility already host a number of permitted sources.

Monitoring and next steps
County staff said establishing the new, county-supported air-monitoring capacity funded earlier by the commission will take time: building and deploying monitors will likely stretch into the summer, with data expected in the fall. Commissioners asked for a written legal opinion and for the health department to provide its permitting timeline in writing; the sponsor said she would deliver a letter to county attorneys and the health department with questions and requested written answers in short order.

Community reaction and follow-up
Residents and local groups left the meeting urging the commission to press TVA, MLGW and XAI for faster progress and to pursue enforcement if unpermitted turbines are operating. Several speakers asked the commission to press the City Council and MLGW, noting MLGW is a city-operated utility and therefore answers also rest across municipal lines. Commissioner Sugarman said she had invited city council staff, TVA and MLGW to appear at future hearings.

What remains unresolved
The committee set June 1 as a committee check-in date and added a requirement for monthly updates; however, the permitting staff said a final permit decision on the turbine application would likely take weeks while technical comments are evaluated. The precise list of property owners who signed nondisclosure or purchase agreements with XAI was not provided; deputies said that is outside health department purview. Residents pressed for immediate enforcement if turbines are operating beyond allowed numbers; staff said inspectors can pursue enforcement if the department documents permit violations.

Timestamps and provenance: the committee read the XAI item into the record at the Hospitals & Health committee beginning at the agenda item (see committee transcript entry for the item) and the committee issued its favorable recommendation with the monthly-updates amendment at the vote recorded later in that committee’s proceedings.","Shelby County Commissioners on Wednesday asked TVA and Memphis Light, Gas & Water for a timeline to connect XAI to the local grid so temporary gas turbines at the company's South Memphis facility can be removed.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Key Shelby County committee recommendations from April 30 committee day

Shelby County commission asks TVA and MLGW for timeline on XAI grid connection after residents report dozens of turbines