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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As City Council tried to whittle down spending and find savings Monday, at least one member had the riverfront in their sights for savings.

Memphis River Parks Partnership, the organization that operates Tom Lee Park, Mud Island and other city-owned riverfront properties, receives about $3 million for the City of Memphis.

Council member Yolanda Cooper-Sutton offered resolutions that would pull $2 million and redistribute it to other entities, including LeMoyne-Owen College, city employee child care and sending millions back to the city’s fund balance.

When it comes to issues affecting your pocketbook, some city councilmembers say Memphis is hemorrhaging taxpayer money and for that to stop, almost nothing is off limits.

Cooper-Sutton says it’s time to review the city management contracts with several organizations, some of which date back 20 years with little oversight.

“These resolutions that I’m bringing forth (are to) stop some of the bleeding that we have incurred,” Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton said.

A view of the new Tom Lee Park, where the Beale Street Music Festival was held.

“Each and every one of us is going to have to feel the pain right now,” Cooper-Sutton said. “So, I don’t have anything personal against any management. It is to get these fundings and these monies to the right place to do the right thing.”

However, not everyone agreed that her suggestion was the best course of action.

“I think to cut $2 million out of this budget two weeks before the fiscal year starts basically is dooming the organization,” Councilman Chase Carlisle said.

“If you cut $2.3 million of that (budget), that impacts not only our ability to serve those people but also our employees and staffs are impacted even more,” MRPP Chairman Tyree Daniels said.

“The resources that we allocate are for the maintenance and upkeep of the amenity that we have,” City of Memphis COO, Antonio Adams said. “A reduction in funding may impact their ability to maintain that amenity.”

Due to the back and forth, tough decisions about MRPP’s funding are put on hold as city leaders continue to weigh what could fall victim to budget cuts.

“Two million is a lot. It’s just a lot and I think everyone said it’s our front door of the city,” City Council Chairman JB Smiley Jr. said. “We want to provide services and do all these things, but we can’t cut our way to progress but we can make prudent cuts across all the divisions.”

The Memphis City Council is expected to continue its budget meetings on Tuesday.

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