A Community Coalition
On November 2nd, Memphis and Shelby County are poised to take a giant leap
forward. The vote is a move that would unify city and county governments and thereby
produce a completely new animal that is lean and aggressive and will eventually be on
par with our midsize competitors like Nashville. Forty years ago, our neighbor to the east
was a far cry from being a contender against Memphis for attracting professionals or
businesses. Nashville has now outpaced Memphis in a number of critical areas – taxes
and cost of service delivery, growth in new jobs, population expansion and various
city rankings.
The following provides a snapshot of key statistical data as it relates to Nashville’s
post consolidation progress and Memphis’ current standing.
A Comparison of Spending
Memphis/Shelby County
Nashville
Spent Per Year For I.T.
Spent Per Year
For Lawyers
Spent Per Year For H.R.
$31 million
$19 million
$12 million
$14.5 million
$5 million
$4.3 million
Information taken from the cities’ offi cial websites.
Nashville, who chose a Metro Government in the 1960’s, delivers services at a combined metro rate
for the same cost as Shelby County provides service to the county. Even if you live in Germantown
or Bartlett, you pay more property tax than Nashville residents.
A Comparison of Tax Rates in Tennessee
Memphis
City County Cumulative
Nashville
Chattanooga
Knoxville
3.19
3.56
1.93
2.46
4.02
.57
2.77
2.36
7.21
4.13
4.70
4.82
Information taken from the cities’ official websites.
Nashville, who chose a Metro Government in the 1960’s, delivers services at a combined metro rate
for the same cost as Shelby County provides service to the county.
Tax rates are applied per every $100 of your appraised property value. *Reappraisal year.
$2
$3
$4
$5
$6
$7
$8
1988 1990 1992* 1994 1996 1998* 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010*
A History of Tax Rates
Memphis
Nashville
New Jobs Growth
(200 largest cities)
Net New Income
(1998-2007)
Milken List ofBest-performing
Cities
# of GovernmentEmployees
Population(2000-2008)
#38 metro
Population up 18.2%
6,579 Davidson
County
14,792 Shelby County/
Memphis
#46
#22
#15 + $2.3 billion
#41 metro
Population up 6.7%
#117
#144
#134 - $434.9 million
A Comparison
Why Rebuild Government Now?
• Shelby County lost 47,674 individuals and $1.9 billion in income
• Shelby County lost 20,000 households and $1.2 billion in income to MSA* counties
• Memphis MSA has lost 2,530 households and $162 million in income to Nashville – Less than 50 households moved to Memphis.
• Of the 363 MSAs, we rank #318 in in-migration; Nashville was #10
Over a 10 year period:
*Metropolitan Statistical Area. Information attained from the IRS.
Why Rebuild Government Now?
A Comparison of Population
Memphis/Nashville Population ComparisonShelby County/Davidson Population Projections for Year 2014
Memphis/Nashville MSA Population Comparison
600700800900
1,0001,1001,2001,3001,4001,500
Populationin thousands
NashvilleMSA
MemphisMSA
19701960 1980 1990 2000 2008
2010
nPopulatioin thousands
19701960 1980 1990 2000 2008
2010
MemphisNashville
200
300
400
500
600
700
*Metropolitan Statistical Area. Information attained from the IRS.
Source: Decision Data Resources
Davidson CountyPop. 890,616
Shelby CountyPop. 885,377
A Comparison of PropertyTax5.
70
6.00
3.92
4.12
4.69
4.13
19701960 1980 1990 2000 2008
7.22
7.02
7.47
7.09
5.84
5.59
Today
Memphis
Nashville
In 1963, our community was 50% larger than Nashville and our taxes were
lower. We voted against a new government and Nashville voted for it. Today,
our taxes are 75% higher and their population is 25% bigger.
The Effects
• Ranked #1 50 Hottest Cities for Relocation & Expansion by Expansion Magazine 2005 & 2006 • Ranked one of the fastest growing privately held company areas in America by Inc. Magazine 2006
• Ranked #16 Top Sports Town by Sporting News 2007
• Ranked #14 Best Cities for Jobs by Forbes 2008
• Ranked #8 as Metro Areas of 200 cities by Market Watch 2008
• Ranked #13 of 350 counties Best Places to Begin a Career by Forbes 2009
• Top 10 Greatest Low-Tax Places to retire by U.S. News & World News 2009
Nashville
The Effects
Nashville
79% Approval Rating for the New GovernmentOne year after the merger, 64% of the public held the consolidated government in a positive light. Two years later, that figure increased to 79%.
Crime Reduced by 7%While national average increased by 5%
“ ...We have the opportunityto hit the reset button for
our community...”
–Concerned Citizen
A Community Coalition
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