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Mayor Lee Harris presents 2020 State of Shelby County

Friday Mayor Lee Harris presented the 2020 State of Shelby County.

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. – “We can do more” was the theme for Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’s State of the County address at Collierville High School Auditorium Friday.

Certainly, Harris took the opportunity to highlight his administration’s efforts in bringing county employee’s wages up to $15 an hour.

“Because of the historic vote of this County Commission we have shifted millions and millions of dollars to Pre-K education. We’ve also expanded the number of individuals in Shelby County who are making a living wage of $15 per hour,” said Harris.

Harris spoke of the success of the free clinic serving county employees and further opening more like it to all county residents.

“The presentation made by the county mayor was certainly very positive and uplifting and I’m supportive of the some of the ideas he brought today. In fact we’re already working on some of the things he talked about in terms of public transit,” said Shelby County Commissioner Willie Brooks.

Brooks is speaking of the County Commission’s joint ordinance with Harris promising an annual commitment of $1 million to transit, none of which would come from taxes on Shelby County residents.

Doing better looks like investments according to Harris. Redevelopment in communities like Klondike and cleaning up the blight in Northaven. Harris’ idea of building a new high school in Frayser at about $50 milllion certainly got the attention of SCS Superintendent Joris Ray.

“I appreciate Mayor Harris just zeal saying that we need new school buildings. It may cost a little bit more than what he stated, but at the end of the day I believe we’ll work together and do what’s best for children right here in Shelby County,” said Ray.

County leaders were listening today and now comes the hard part…finding money for these initiatives.

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