The Taxpayer Justice Institute is pleased to announce this publication of “Non-Transparent”. Non-Transparent catalogues lacking local transparency involving public tax dollars.
The following table documents local Memphis and Shelby County transparency concerns, regarding organizations that are beneficiaries of significant public resources as well as the transparency concerns with public government. Should an answered FOIA be on this list by mistake, please contact jkent@pathrek.net for removal. Search of sort to look for an entity by name.
| DATE | ENTITY | EST 10yr SUBSIDY | EST. EXPLAINATION | OUTSTANDING FOIA | PLAYERS / NOTABLE BOARD MEMBERS | FOIA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 01/08/2021 | Tennis Memphis | 40,000,000 | $30M Tennis Center + $1M per year in capital and management fees | Tennis Memphis does not share information with 3rd parties as the beneficiary of using City of Memphis public tennis courts | Kevin Kane, John Dobbs, | |
| 2 | 08/26/2022 | City of Memphis | 200,000,000 | Boat Docks, Brooks and Cobblestones Capital Estimate | There is no evidence that the RSC publicly functioned other than approving MRPP to proceeding with Tom Lee Park renovation | Jim Strickland. Paul Young. Nobody knows composition after McGowen departed for MLGW | |
| 3 | 01/11/2023 | Memphis River Parks Partnership | 100,000,000 | Assoicated capital spend on TLP, Mud Island and Cossitt and maintenance | Does not publish board minutes, monthly financials or board meeting notices. Board minutes can be obtained via FOIA. But monthly financials are not available via FOIA. | Tyree Daniels, Billy Orgel, Kevin Woods, JW Gibson, Michelle McKissack, Van Turner, Paul Young, Alan Crone, Teresa Sloyan, Calvin Anderson, Greg Duckett | |
| 4 | 06/28/2023 | Shelby County Government | 1,000,000 | One time contract | Did not answer request for documentation surrounding the bidding of the sign database that was awarded to the University of Memphis. There were only 2 acceptable bids. Stated the request for information was unclear. | Lee Harris | https://1drv.ms/b/s!AiNXRWm6KZQigotXSfoXTqqlL-OGWA?e=Dgoc4I |
| 5 | 08/01/2023 | Regional One - Shelby County Healthcare Corporation | 1,000,000,000 | Capital project estimate | When requesting Regional One public minutes, Shelby County Government responded that the request was unclear. It has also been discoivered that Regional One does not publicize their board meetings | David Popwell, Charlie Caswell, Paul Morris, Reginald Milton | |
| 6 | 08/06/2023 | Memphis Shelby Crime Commission | Refuses to respond to public records request requesting a copy of audited financials. Does publish their meeting minutes. | Ben Adams, Floyd Bonner, CJ Davis, Greg Duckett, Edward Dobbs, Lee Harris, London Lamar, Paul Morris, Steve Mulroy, Keith Norman, Kevin Ritz, Erika Sugrarmon, Tarik Sugarmon, Jim Strickland, Blair Taylor, Dorcas Young Griffin | https://1drv.ms/b/s!AiNXRWm6KZQigo0rNJxvunPW18Ga0w?e=bSTVSw | ||
| 7 | 08/14/2023 | Shelby County Health Department | 400,000 | One time contract | When requesting quantified business justification for a $400,000 call center outsourcing contract, Shelby County Government stated the request was unclear. | Lee Harris, Dr. Michelle Taylor | |
| 8 | 08/31/2023 | Shelby County Health Department | 9/5/23 - Shelby County Government stated a public information request, related to well permits was not specific enough, while providing sample data previously supplied by SCHD. | Lee Harris, Dr. Michelle Taylor | https://1drv.ms/b/s!AiNXRWm6KZQigo5jnFu5ql2h4dObHg?e=QgL4ck | ||
| 9 | 02/21/2024 | Agricenter Commission | 25,000,000 | The County states that the Agricenter is valued at $226M. Estimate for property taxes on $226M facility. | No response from Shelby County government on a request for Agricenter Commission leases to external companies. 1,2,3 items have been answered | Bill Gillion, Commissioner Shante Avant | https://1drv.ms/f/s!AiNXRWm6KZQigqoJ77NF5gATVtqN_Q?e=Ejj4D2 |
| 10 | 05/02/2024 | City of Memphis | 500,000,000 | Up to $50M per year in excessive expenses and revenue shortfalls up for grabs due to poor financial oversight | Please provide All available City of Memphis monthly unaudited financial reports for FY24. As of 5/2/24, July 2024-March 2024 should be available. Availability of this information will help provide informed citizen advocacy during the budget process. | Paul Young | https://memphisold.memphistn.gov/government/communications/public-records/submit-a-public-records-request/ |