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What the FY27 Budget Proposal Leaves Unsaid

Personnel Costs, $652.3M (72.7% of General Fund)

Mayor Young states personnel costs consume 72.7% of the FY27 General Fund, about $652.3M of the $897.7M total. That share leaves only roughly $245.4M for everything else: contracts, supplies, capital transfers, contingency, and the rising lawsuit and pension obligations. Yet 843 budgeted positions remain vacant, and the proposal still credits $28M back against Police personnel through an attrition assumption.

Personnel Share
72.7%
Personnel Dollars
~$652.3M
Non-Personnel Remainder
~$245.4M
Vacant Positions
843
Police Attrition Credit
−$28.1M

Sources

  • Personnel 72.7% / $652.3M
    Mayor Paul Young, WMC Action News 5 · April 21, 2026
  • General Fund total $897.7M
    Exhibit D, Expenditure by Division · p. 19
  • Police attrition credit (051901)
    Exhibit E, Police Services Expenditure Detail · p. 170

Questions Council Should Ask

  1. If personnel is 72.7%, why are 843 budgeted positions still vacant?
  2. How is a $28M Police attrition credit consistent with a recruitment plan?
  3. What grew faster than inflation inside the personnel line: salaries, benefits, or overtime?
  4. What contingency exists in the remaining 27.3% for the Nichols verdict and rising lawsuit costs?

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The 901 Report is an independent civic accountability organization. Not affiliated with any political party, candidate, or government agency.

All commentary, analysis, headlines, and framing reflect the protected opinion of The 901 Report based on publicly available records, primarily the City of Memphis FY2027 Proposed Operating and CIP Budget. Dollar figures, exhibit references, and page citations are drawn directly from those public documents. Readers are encouraged to review the source materials and reach their own conclusions. See our Legal & Disclaimers page.