MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Memphis and Shelby County have so much in common, yet are so different when it comes to your money.
Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell revealed the new county budget, and it's a fairly rosy picture.
It comes a day after Memphis Mayor A C Wharton sounded a dire warning about the Bluff City's financial picture.
For example, city employees found out layoffs are a real possibility as part of $24 million in cuts Mayor Wharton is proposing for next year. Meanwhile, Shelby County's mayor says there will be no layoffs next year, and employees will get a one percent raise.
Mayor Wharton also proposed raising property taxes by 47 cents, or about $120 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home.
"When I look over there, they are talking about 47 cents, shame on them. Really, shame on them," said Shelby County Commissioner Terry Roland. "I think the difference is leadership. I really do."
Mayor Luttrell says it is hard to compare the city and county because each has different responsibilities, and Memphis faces an expensive obligation when it comes to Memphis City Schools.
That being said, Mayor Luttrell says his team worked hard to find inefficiencies, and asked everyone to make sacrifices.
"Knowing the city was going to be facing some tax increases we just felt like we just would not do that on our side," he said.
Mayor Luttrell says everything changes next year when you factor in a new consolidated school district. Some have said the county's tax rates at that point could go up by as much as 26 percent.
Mayor Luttrell says it is too early to talk numbers, and that 26 percent figure is a worst-case scenario.
