Latest news with #MollyMehner
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Taxes, water/sewer rate and employee raises: Breaking down Collierville's new budget
Collierville's new $277 million budget — which includes a 12-cent tax increase — will take effect July 1. The Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen on June 9 unanimously approved the fiscal year 2026 budget, which includes its operating, capital improvement and school district budgets. Collierville Town Administrator Molly Mehner said the town's budget focused on needs not wants. The emphasis she said was keeping Collierville safe, taking care of aging infrastructure, augmenting technology needs, recruiting and retaining employees, and combating ongoing inflation and the increased cost of doing business. Some budget highlights include funding for three patrol officers, replacement of a restroom building at W.C. Johnson Park and continuation of the town-wide network infrastructure upgrade. "I always tell folks whenever we do talks to groups if you really want to see where a community's priorities are, look at their budget and look where they put their money," Mehner said. "I think this budget accurately reflects the board and community priorities for robust public safety, well-maintained infrastructure and quality education." Here are five things to know about Collierville's FY26 budget. ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN COLLIERVILLE: Major projects to watch, from paving to widening Here are some key numbers to know from Collierville's budget: $143 million was approved for Collierville Schools' 2026 budget. The $133 million operating budget includes $85 million for the general fund (including $40.5 million for public safety), $17 million for the water and sewer fund, $15 million for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), $8 million for other operating funds and $6 million for sanitation fund. In the 2026 budget, $93.6 million is allocated for total revenue, which is greater than the $85 million in total revenue in fiscal year 2025 budget. As in the previous year budget, the largest source of revenue — $49.8 million — is projected to come from property taxes, with $23.3 million from local option sales tax. The board approved a 12-cent property tax increase. The town's current tax rate is $1.84 per $100 of assessed value, but due to the recent reappraisal, the certified tax rate will be rolled back to $1.50. The 12-cent increase brings the town's tax rate for FY 2026 to $1.62. The certified tax rate is the property tax rate that generates the same property tax revenue in a reappraisal year that was generated in the prior non-reappraisal year. Valesa Wells, finance director for the Town of Collierville, said the state's intent was to make sure local governments didn't generate a revenue windfall because of reappraisals. The Capital Investment Program (CIP) total budget is roughly $14 million. Mehner said during a presentation to the board that the bigger ticket projects include: $3.3 million for the library expansion $2.9 million for continuation of the town-wide network infrastructure upgrade $909,500 for the fire administration expansion second-floor space $440,000 for an automated garbage truck, $260,000 for a rear-loading garbage truck and $235,000 for a brush truck $450,000 for overlay of the Eastbrook trail greenbelt system. She noted the $500,000 for the Collierville comprehensive plan consultant, which is a one-time non-capital project. Mike Clark, Collierville's community and economic development director, said the comprehensive plan will combine everything from the town's future land use, design, transportation, utilities, economic development, recreation and preservation into a single unified concept. Collierville residents will see a slight increase in their water/sewer rate. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen adopted a new 10-year water/sewer rate schedule in summer 2023. The average household will see a monthly increase of $2.67, according Mehner. All town employees will receive a 5% pay increase. The town currently has 580 full-time employees and 64 part-time employees. Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at or 901-293-1610. To keep up with the latest news from the Shelby County suburbs, sign up here for our Suburban Pulse weekly newsletter. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How much are taxes in Collierville? What to know about town's budget
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Collierville and homeowner reach agreement over parties and Airbnb listing, town says
Collierville and a homeowner have reached a settlement in a legal dispute, according to a town official. Collierville had filed a complaint in Shelby County Chancery Court against Rodney Williams, the owner of the property at 9496 Mayfield Road. The town sought injunctive relief against Williams to prevent the property from hosting pay-to-attend commercial events or being advertised as a short-term rental on Airbnb —both of which, the town says, are against its ordinances. "The Town's attorney spoke with both Mr. Williams and his attorney this afternoon, and they agreed to the entry of a consent decree putting in place a permanent injunction forbidding the use of the Mayfield property as a party venue and a short term rental," Town Administrator Molly Mehner told The Commercial Appeal in a statement on July 9. The Commercial Appeal's attempts to contact Williams for comment on July 9 were unsuccessful. The court had issued a temporary restraining order against Williams, which prohibited engaging in any activities at the property that "violate the Ordinances and applicable laws governing the use of the property." "We will ask for the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to be extended until the final order can be entered by the Court," Mehner said. A hearing had been scheduled for July 10 in Shelby County Chancery Court over the town's request for an injunction. COLLIERVILLE NEWS: Taxes, water/sewer rate and employee raises: Breaking down Collierville's new budget In its lawsuit, Collierville references two pay-to-attend parties at the residence, which it claims equate to running a business venture in a residential area and violate the town's ordinances. The lawsuit includes social media posts advertising the events. The town states in the lawsuit that commercial events at which admission is charged are not allowed uses in residential zoned property in Collierville. At the events in December and June, Collierville Police Department responded to several complaints from neighbors and arrested or cited several people for illegal possession of weapons, drug offenses and multiple traffic infractions, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit also states the occupancy at the residence exceeded the capacity and was in violation of the fire code regulations of the town. It also cited other concerns with the parties, including noise violations such as loud music and parking problems that negatively impacted surrounding homes. In the lawsuit, Collierville said the activities at the house party resembled operations of a nightclub, dance club, bar, or other place of assembly, none of which are approved uses under the zoning ordinance. Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at or 901-293-1610. To keep up with the latest news from the Shelby County suburbs, sign up here for our Suburban Pulse weekly newsletter. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Collierville: Agreement reached in Airbnb listing, parties dispute
