A community coalition called Rebuild Government is advocating for a new consolidated government for Shelby County and Memphis. Data shows Shelby County has lost population and income to other counties while Memphis ranks low for attracting new residents. Nashville has a consolidated metro government that delivers services more efficiently at lower tax rates than Memphis and Shelby County. Rebuild Government argues a consolidated government could save hundreds of millions through eliminating duplication, attract more federal funds, and make the area more competitive nationally.

1. A Community Coalition
www.RebuildGovernment.org
www.twitter.com/RebuildGov
www.facebook.com/RebuildGov

2. 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.

3. A Comparison with Nashville
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%

4. A Comparison 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.
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.

5. 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.

6. A Comparison with Nashville
There is a better, faster, cheaper way to deliver government, and it’s by making it smaller
and more efficient.
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.

7. Taxing–If You Live in the County...
General Services
By state law, there has to be at Millington
General Services
Tax District
least 2 taxing districts created when
forming a Metropolitan Government.
There will be a “General Services” Arlington
taxing district–which can be
paralleled to Shelby County. Lakeland
Bartlett
Urban Services
Tax District
Germantown
Collierville

8. Taxing–If You Live in the City...
Urban Services
Millington
General Services
What used to be within the city lim- Tax District
its of Memphis will now be called the
“Urban Services” taxing district. If
you live in the Urban Services Arlington
taxing district, you will pay this tax
Lakeland
in addition to the General Services
Bartlett
tax. If you live in a suburban city, you
will pay your suburban city tax and
the General Service tax–similar to
how you pay taxes now.
Urban Services
Tax District
Germantown
Collierville

9. Government Structure
Government structures affected by a Metro Government
Shelby County
Government
Metro Memphis /
Shelby County
Memphis City
Government
Government structures NOT affected by a Metro Government
Arlington Germantown
Shelby County
Schools
Bartlett Lakeland
Memphis City
Schools
Collierville Millington
By state law, a metropolitan government must be initiated by the largest municipality and the county government.

10. Benefits for the Shelby County/Suburban Cities
• Stronger protections against tax hikes
• Stronger legal protections against the schools
being merged
• Voice and vote over the entire Metro area–the county
will get to vote on the Mayor, Council and MLGW
• More efficient use of tax dollars
• As a larger geographical area, the chance to bring
more federal tax dollars back home for much-needed
community and service improvements

11. Benefits for Memphis
• No more wasting tax dollars on a duplication
• Neighborhood-based districts closer to voters
and more accountable
• One economic face and plan to attract industry and jobs
• More federal funds for community improvements
• Stronger protections against tax hikes
• Reposition Memphis/Shelby County nationally

12. Memphis–Then, Now & the Future
Governments typically have 3 ways to increase their tax revenues:
1. Create a better place to live.
By creating a more efficient and accountable government,
you create a community which brings more industry, jobs Future Memphis
Annexation
Millington
and people to the area, growing the tax base.
Arlington
2. Annexation.
Metro Government failed in Nashville in 1958.
Aggressive annexation occurred from 1959-1960. Bartlett
Lakeland
In 1961, the citizens of Nashville decided that a
Metro Government was a better choice. Memphis Then
1891
Future Memphis
Annexation
3. Raise Taxes.
Governments can continue to hike
taxes to raise the money they need.
Memphis Thru
1950
Memphis Now
2005+
Germantown
Collierville
Future Memphis
Annexation
We want to create a better place to live.

13. Potential Savings
Memphis & Shelby County Government Currently Has...
More than More than
200 8,000
*Jacksonville, FL and the Memphis &
Shelby County Metropolitan Charter
Commission recommends eliminating
Duplicated Government jobs through attrition/retirement so
Managers Employees Than that the local workforce will not
be negatively impacted.
Nashville*
With Additional Potential Savings Such As...
Nonpartisan More
Elections Improved & Improved
More Efficient & More Federal Funds
Will Save For Community
$1,000,000 Police & Fire Efficient
Departments 911 System & Service
Every Four Improvements
Years

14. The Vote
The state of Tennessee has a dual-referendum vote for a Metro Government. Meaning that on
November 2, 2010, here will be a referendum on the ballot in the city of Memphis and another outside
the city, in the county. Both on the same day. Only if it passes in both places will the Metro Government
go into effect.
Shelby County
Millington
Arlington
2010
Lakeland
Bartlett
Memphis
Germantown
Collierville

15. What Happens If I Vote “Yes?”
November 2, 2010
• Metro Government passed – transition phase begins.
November 3, 2010
• Ethics code becomes effective and the Transition Ethics Commission shall be appointed
and funded during transition.
• Thirty days after certification of the election, a Metro Transition Commission shall be established.
• 3 year tax freeze to ensure the new government looks to cut costs from its first days.
October 2011
• Non-partisan elections will be held for Metro Mayor & Metro Council.
January 2012
• New charter to take effect.
• New Mayor and Council take office. The first terms of the Metro Mayor and Council shall be
six year terms to align Metro elections with county election in 2018. One consecutive four year term
is available to the Metro Mayor and Council thereafter.
• The Metro Clerk, Register, Trustee, Sheriff and Assessor shall assume the positions of the
Metropolitan Government Constitutional Officers.

16. The Effects / Public Perception
70% Approval Rating for the New Government
Nashville In a survey conducted two years after the merger
79% Approval Rating for the New Government
Jacksonville 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%.
100’s of cities who are considering a Metro Government have visited
Louisville Louisville in the past few years to learn about their successes

17. The Effects / Crime
Crime Reduced by 7%
Nashville While national average increased by 5%
Created the MetroSafe Emergency Placed More Officers on the Street
Louisville Communications System
A $71 million single network to link police, fire, EMS
Two police departments combined under a new
management structure placed more officers on
and other first responders throughout Metro area the street, enabled them to offer better benefits
and hire better talent

18. The Effects
Jacksonville Louisville
• Smallest City to Land a NFL Franchise • Improved City Credit Rating
Achieved the second highest city credit
• Hosted a Super Bowl rating behind San Diego
• Ranked as one of the • MetroCall
“Hottest Cities in America” Developed an information service via phone, e-mail
for business expansions and relocations for 10 years and live chat that connects callers to live operators
running in an Expansion Management Magazine poll 24/7. Averages about 5,000 calls weekly
• $2.2 billion Better Jacksonville Plan • Innovations in Planning Program
-Gave citizens a stronger voice in planning and development
-Improves citizen access to hearings and review meetings
-Requires developers to meet with adjoining property
owners and neighborhood groups before filing plans

19. 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

20. Our Vision & Values
Rebuild Government is a coalition of non-profits, grassroots groups & businesses
that have come together to make sure that the citizens in this community have the
best future possible. Just like you, we want to make sure that our new government:
• Wages war on crime
• Activates jobs growth
• Eliminates duplication and waste
• Brings the hammer down on
unethical behavior
• Believes that education decisions should remain with
the two elected school boards
• Values responsiveness and accountability
to its citizens

21. A Community Coalition
We organized Rebuild Government to make sure the new charter being written by the Memphis
and Shelby County Charter Commission is what the citizens of this community want. We are
concerned about our community’s problems and we are convinced that talking about improving
our government is the right conversation at the right time.
The Charter Commission begins with a blank slate, and that’s why we are engaging in a countywide
conversation about what a new government could be – how it could increase efficiency and end
duplication; how it could jump start our economy; how it could make our neighborhoods safer; how
it could save money; how it could eliminate red tape and bureaucracy, and most of all, how a new
government could work for everybody in every part of our community.
For more information or to host one of Rebuild Government’s small group meetings,
please contact us: (901) 347-8623
www.RebuildGovernment.org
www.twitter.com/RebuildGov
www.facebook.com/RebuildGov