It surprises many how quickly the newly elected County Mayor and other countywide officials must take office. Each is elected in the first week of August, and three weeks later, in a mass ceremony, they are officially sworn in. In contrast, the City Mayor is elected in October and sworn in the following January.
The timing doesn’t provide an ample opportunity for the newly elected to transition and build a team prior to starting the job. In some ways, it is like the saying, “building the airplane while flying it.” The mayor-elect must come prepared with a set of clear and achievable priorities on day one.
If I were the mayor-elect or asked by him, these are the seven priorities I would recommend:
1. Earn the respect and cooperation of the County Commission
It is no secret that the relationship between outgoing Mayor Lee Harris and the County Commission has been strained at best. Without pointing fingers, it is important to acknowledge that every mayor and commission butt heads periodically. It’s the nature of checks and balances. However, the acrimonious relationship between Harris and the legislative body ultimately proved to be a disservice to citizens.
Mayor-elect Lowery comes from the very Commission that tangled with the mayor’s office. He has experienced it from the perspective of the Commission. At the same time, Lowery goes to work with a Commission with 7 new members, so there is an opportunity to reshape the rivalry.
As a former commissioner, I can attest that the two most critical factors in the relationship are (1) recognizing in words and actions, not just intellectually, that the Commission raises the revenue and sets the budget, and (2) over-communicating with the Commission. A top complaint from Commissioners is feeling like they are in the dark.
2. Don’t compromise on the appointments of the Chief Administrative Officer, Finance Director, and County Attorney
This triumvirate is the key to the successful operation of Shelby County Government. Don’t rush the picks. I am sure that Lowery has been thinking about these positions and discussing them with his close advisors, but if there is any uncertainty, it is better to wait.
The CAO oversees the daily operation of the county and speaks for the mayor in his absence. The Finance Director is the most questioned and scrutinized member of the mayor’s team, and with a $125 million tax anticipation note to pay, this person must be accurate. The County Attorney advises officials throughout county government but is the mayor’s primary legal counsel.
3. Become a partner with Memphis Shelby County Schools, not just a funder
Shelby County Government is the primary funder of Memphis Shelby County Schools. It’s the law. That dynamic and a sometimes aggressive County Commission have resulted in school leaders being less than cooperative in regard to budgetary issues. MSCS and Shelby County need a fresh start – at least as fresh as it can get. Besides providing quality education for the county’s children, both entities have a common interest in removing the heavy hand of the state.
4. Continue the School Takeover Lawsuit
Whether you support the takeover, there is a precedent-setting legal question with serious long-term implications that the lawsuit can settle. That question is whether the legislature has the authority to usurp the will of the voters who chose, for better or worse, the members of the Memphis Shelby County School Board. The decision, if the takeover is upheld, may embolden the legislature to limit the powers of other local elected bodies in the future.
5. Choose 201 Poplar or Regional One
Both are critical needs for the community, and both are estimated to cost more than $1 billion. The County’s current debt is about $1.1 billion, which is substantially lower than the 2006 peak of $1.85 billion. In 2006, the annual debt service on $1.85 billion was $132 million. Taking on both projects would easily exceed the peak of $1.85 billion. Choosing one does not mean the other will not be completed in the future, but taking on both in a four-year term seems untenable.
6. Provide Clerk-elect Hall with resources and support to fix the County Clerk’s Office
The County Clerk’s office has been marred by mismanagement and inefficiency for the last eight years. Thankfully, voters chose LaSonya Hall to take the reins. Hall’s experience as a local government administrator is unmatched. The Clerk’s office provides car tags, business licenses, marriage licenses, and more. It is a tangible example of how government serves (or fails to serve) the taxpayer. Lowery and the Commission should provide Hall with the resources she needs to make the office work well for citizens.
7. Be the most accessible Shelby County Mayor
The style of outgoing Mayor Harris has been introverted and less accessible to community leaders and the public. The demands of the mayor mean that he cannot take every phone call or attend every event. However, visibility, authenticity, and responsiveness can help individuals, neighborhoods, and the broader community feel seen by their government and its leader.