Click Here to see Shelby County Commission Transparency Report Card

I’m Erika Sugarmon, the District 12 commissioner serving Hickory Hill and also the chair of the Workforce Development Committee. I’ve just reviewed the public “Transparency Report Card” issued by Just My Memphis, and I want to speak directly to my fellow commissioners, county staff, and, above all, to the people we serve in Shelby County.

Let’s not sugarcoat it: we received an overall grade of D. That means we are failing in the most basic duty of every elected official—keeping the public informed, engaged, and empowered.

Now, as your commissioner, am I embarrassed by this score? Absolutely. But more importantly, I see this as a wake-up call. It’s not about being Democrat or Republican, not about whether you’re from Germantown, Millington, or Hickory Hill. It’s about accountability to EVERY taxpayer and resident in Shelby County.

How Did We Get Here?

The grades weren’t arbitrary. We were evaluated on concrete, commonsense criteria—things that matter to every voter and taxpayer in the county. Here’s what the report showed:

• Ease of Locating Ordinances or Resolutions: D
  The system is clunky, requiring too many clicks, and offers little search functionality. If our most important job is passing ordinances and resolutions, the very least we owe the public is a fast, simple way for them to find out the status: Are we on the first, second, or third reading? Has it passed? Was it vetoed by the mayor? Who voted yes, who voted no, and why? The truth is, as things stand, it’s much too complicated—even for your own commissioners.

• Meeting Attendance and Voting Records: C-
  Attendance records and voting histories are “available,” but only if you know exactly where and how to look. That’s unacceptable. Voters shouldn’t have to play detective just to find out if their commissioner is showing up for work or how they voted on a key issue.

• Status Tracking of Decisions: F
  There is no real dashboard. It’s virtually impossible to see if an ordinance has been enforced, followed up, or even vetoed. We are all constantly talking about accountability and transparency in our schools—but here, the Commission itself is wearing an ‘F’ for follow-through.

• Website User Accessibility: D
  It’s hard to navigate, overwhelming in its menus, and often not accessible. I’ll be honest—sometimes even I struggle to find what I’m seeking, and this is my job.

• Follow-Up and Outcome Reporting: F
  Rarely is there an easily accessible update about what happened after a law passed. No single place for implementation updates or to find out if the goals promised have been achieved.

• Opportunities for Public Feedback: C
  There are some channels, but there’s little evidence that feedback actually leads to change or is incorporated into improvement. Where does the public’s input go? Who reviews it? How are we acting on it?

Why Does This Matter?

The question I keep coming back to is simple: Why would anyone feel engaged with county government if they can’t even figure out what’s happening? If they can’t easily see what’s being debated, voted on, or enacted; if they can’t find out if their own representative is showing up for votes—that’s how people give up, tune out, and stay home on Election Day. And that’s on us.

We Can—and Must—Do Better

Fixing this isn’t about spending millions of dollars on new technology. We have talented web designers right here in Memphis who could simplify the whole system. But more importantly, we need a culture change—a commitment, from the Chair all the way to each commissioner, to make transparency not just a box we check, but a lived reality for everyone.

So, let’s get practical. What do we need?

• A real, user-friendly dashboard that tracks every ordinance and resolution from introduction to enforcement.
• Simple, public displays of voting records and attendance.
• Clear updates on all actions taken, with follow-up reports available online in plain language.
• Accessible menus and search tools so every resident, regardless of tech skill, can find what they need in seconds.
• Public feedback loops with visible results and accountability when input leads to change.

I’m ready to work with my colleagues, county staff, and the community to get this right. We have to—because right now, our “D” grade doesn’t just reflect on us as commissioners, it reflects on government as a whole.

I invite my fellow commissioners and our Chair to sit down with the public, our technology providers, and every department head, and answer the hard questions:

• “What does real transparency look like?”
• “How can we get every voter the answers they deserve with just a few clicks?”
• “How do we keep our promises and show our work?”

I’m not afraid of the grade—in fact, I’m grateful. Because now that we see it, together, we can start building the system that our citizens want, need, and deserve.

Let’s make Shelby County a leader in open government, not a cautionary tale. The work starts now—and you better believe I’ll be pushing for change.

Commissioner Erika Sugarmon, District 12 — Hickory Hill
Chair, Workforce Development Committee