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Critical: Zero Reserve
Nichols Civil Trial, $550M Exposure
The civil trial in the Tyre Nichols case begins July 13, 2026, 34 days after the June 9 budget vote. The plaintiffs' demand is $550 million. The City's own court filings concede a verdict at the demand level 'would essentially bankrupt Memphis.' The FY27 Proposed Budget contains zero contingency reserve for any outcome.
Demand
$550,000,000
Trial Date
July 13, 2026
Days After Vote
34
Reserve in FY27
$0
Sources
- Trial date setU.S. District Court Order, Judge Mark Norris · Jan. 3, 2025 ↗
- $550M demand & bankruptcy warningCity of Memphis court filing; FOX13, Local Memphis, WMC · 2025–2026 ↗
- No reserve lineFY27 Proposed Budget (204 pages) · Entire document
Questions Council Should Ask
- Why is there no contingency reserve for a known July 13 trial?
- What is the City's settlement authority and current posture?
- If the verdict exceeds reserves, which services get cut first?