Memphis City Council members meet to prepare for year ahead during retreat
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Memphis City Council members are preparing for the year ahead.
Council members met for their annual retreat at the Museum of Science and History on Saturday.
It was a chance for council members to fellowship and get to know each other ―as there are several new members on the board this year.
The retreat included presentations on parliamentarian processes, confidentiality, and an overview of the 2024 General Assembly legislative session.
Action News 5 heard from Chairmen Chair JB Smiley who stressed why the retreat was so important for the newest elected members serving Memphis.
“We learned about the grant process ―the do’s and don’ts when it comes to grants; the do’s and don’ts when it comes to ethics and people,” said Chairmen JB Smiley Jr. “When we look at city officials, we just see them in the capacity as a government official but when we’re also individuals who have various roles in the community. Sometimes those things conflict and when it conflicts, we learn how to recuse when to step back.”
He also said the meeting helps with synergy among the council as budget season approaches, highlighting the Memphis City Council’s primary responsibility of presenting the city’s budget to the public.
“When I look at this body, and I’ve been pretty consistent on it, is this council will move different than any other council. We will be more direct; we will be taking actionable roles in government,” said Chairmen JB Smiley Jr. “Usually at least when I’ve served in the past years—we kind of setback allowed the mayor to administrate every single thing. This council won’t do that. You can expect a lot of programming from this Memphis City Council. You can expect this council to be deeply involved in the budgeting process.”
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