Executive branch

Mayor Dr. W. W. Herenton was the first black mayor when elected in 1991. He has been mayor for 4 four year terms and was last reelected in 2003. He has stated he will run again for a fifth term.

• Administrative duties of day-to-day operations

• City government divided up with director heading each
  section. Appointed by mayor w/ city council’s approval.

• Carries out policy, law & regulations made by city
  council

• Mayor makes budget from directors budget requests

Currently there are nine districts, seven with one councilman and two districts with three councilmen.

• City council takes final action in budget
• Sets tax rate and other taxes
• Makes laws for city and is appeal board for decisions of other city divisions
• Council chairman is elected by the city council each summer for one year and appoints all committees each year.
• Council uses committees to gather information on issues
  before final votes.

E.C. Jones

Brent Taylor

TaJuan Stout
Mitchell

Council
Chairwoman

Dedrick
Brittenum, Jr.

Carol Chumney

Edmund Ford

Barbara
Swearengen Holt

Super district 8: District 6,7 and the majority of Districts 3 & 4

Joe Brown

Ricky W. Peete

Vice Chairman

Myron Lowery

Super district 9: District 1,2,5 and small section of 3 & 4

Scott McCormick

Tom Marshall

Jack Sammons

Sara Hall
City Attorney

Judicial branch

The judicial branch consists of the Memphis City courts which have three divisions each with a judge, elected by voters, and a city court clerk. Between elections, vacancies in the positions may be filled through an appointment by the mayor with the approval of the City Council.

• Attorneys either work in service provide legal advice or litigation defending lawsuits filed against the city.