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.

A Comparison of Spending

Memphis/Shelby County

Nashville

Spent Per Year For I.T.

Spent Per Year

For Lawyers

Spent Per Year For H.R.

$31 million

$19 million

$12 million

$14.5 million

$5 million

$4.3 million

Information taken from the cities’ offi cial websites.

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.

A Comparison of Tax Rates in Tennessee

Memphis

City County Cumulative

Nashville

Chattanooga

Knoxville

3.19

3.56

1.93

2.46

4.02

.57

2.77

2.36

7.21

4.13

4.70

4.82

Information taken from the cities’ official websites.

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.

Tax rates are applied per every $100 of your appraised property value. *Reappraisal year.

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

$8

1988 1990 1992* 1994 1996 1998* 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010*

A History of Tax Rates

Memphis

Nashville

New Jobs Growth

(200 largest cities)

Net New Income

(1998-2007)

Milken List ofBest-performing

Cities

# of GovernmentEmployees

Population(2000-2008)

#38 metro

Population up 18.2%

6,579 Davidson

County

14,792 Shelby County/

Memphis

#46

#22

#15 + $2.3 billion

#41 metro

Population up 6.7%

#117

#144

#134 - $434.9 million

A Comparison

Why Rebuild Government Now?

• 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

Over a 10 year period:

*Metropolitan Statistical Area. Information attained from the IRS.

Why Rebuild Government Now?

A Comparison of Population

Memphis/Nashville Population ComparisonShelby County/Davidson Population Projections for Year 2014

Memphis/Nashville MSA Population Comparison

600700800900

1,0001,1001,2001,3001,4001,500

Populationin thousands

NashvilleMSA

MemphisMSA

19701960 1980 1990 2000 2008

2010

nPopulatioin thousands

19701960 1980 1990 2000 2008

2010

MemphisNashville

200

300

400

500

600

700

*Metropolitan Statistical Area. Information attained from the IRS.

Source: Decision Data Resources

Davidson CountyPop. 890,616

Shelby CountyPop. 885,377

A Comparison of PropertyTax5.

70

6.00

3.92

4.12

4.69

4.13

19701960 1980 1990 2000 2008

7.22

7.02

7.47

7.09

5.84

5.59

Today

Memphis

Nashville

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.

The Effects

• 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

Nashville

The Effects

Nashville

79% Approval Rating for the New GovernmentOne 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%

“ ...We have the opportunityto hit the reset button for

our community...”

–Concerned Citizen

A Community Coalition

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