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. See other interesting comparisons.

1. 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.

2. A Comparison of Spending
Spent Spent Spent
Per Year Per Year Per Year
For I.T. For Lawyers For H.R.
Memphis/ $ $ $
Shelby County
31
million
19
million
12
million
$ $ $
Nashville 14.5
million
5
million
4.3 million
Information taken from the cities’ official websites.

3. A Comparison of Tax Rates in Tennessee
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.
City County Cumulative
Memphis 3.19 4.02 7.21
Nashville 3.56 .57 4.13
Chattanooga 1.93 2.77 4.70
Knoxville 2.46 2.36 4.82
Information taken from the cities’ official websites.

4. A History of Tax Rates
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.
$8
$7
$6
$5
$4
$3
$2
1988 1990 1992* 1994 1996 1998* 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010*
Tax rates are applied per every $100 of your appraised property value. *Reappraisal year.

5. A Comparison
New Jobs Net New Milken List of # of
Population Growth Income Best-performing Government
(2000-2008) (200 largest cities) (1998-2007) Cities Employees
# # # #
38 46 15 22 6,579
Nashville metro + $2.3 billion Davidson
Population up County
18.2%
# # # #
41 117 134 144 14,792
Memphis metro - $434.9 million Shelby County/
Population up Memphis
6.7%

6. Why Rebuild Government Now?
Over a 10 year period:
• 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
*Metropolitan Statistical Area. Information attained from the IRS.

7. A Comparison of Population
Shelby County/Davidson Memphis/Nashville Population Comparison
Population Projections Population
in thousands
for Year 2014
700
Memphis
600 Nashville
500
Davidson County 400
Pop. 890,616 300
200
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008 2010
Shelby County Memphis/Nashville MSA Population Comparison
Population
Pop. 885,377 in thousands
Nashville
1,500
MSA
1,400
1,300
1,200 Memphis
1,100 MSA
1,000
900
800
700
600
Source: Decision Data Resources 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008 2010
*Metropolitan Statistical Area. Information attained from the IRS.

8. A Comparison of PropertyTax
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.
5.84
5.59
7.09
7.02
7.47
7.22
Memphis
4.12
4.69
4.13
6.00
3.92
5.70
Nashville
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2008 Today

9. The Effects
Nashville
• 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

10. The Effects
Nashville
79% Approval Rating for the New Government
One 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%

11. “ ...We have the opportunity
to hit the reset button for
our community...”
–Concerned Citizen

12. A Community Coalition
www.RebuildGovernment.org
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