MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – A referendum to overturn a decades-old portion of the Memphis charter passed Tuesday on the November election ballot.

This puts control back in the hands of Memphis City Council members to decide their own salaries.

Former Memphis City Council President Martavius ​​Jones sponsored Referendum 5893 while serving on the council last year.

“No one else delegates their compensation to a different legislative body,” Jones said.

So why should Memphis do it?

“Germantown is a town in Shelby County, Millington is a town in Shelby County as is Bartlett, but none of them have delegated authority to the Shelby County Commission to set their salary,” Jones said .

Jones pointed out that the decision to give power to the county commission was made 28 years ago.

Seven votes from the current city council could have stopped the referendum, but the plan prevailed after council members overrode Mayor Paul Young’s veto.

Today, 70% of voters show their support for change.

“People have spoken. It was not the board’s decision. It wasn’t my decision, it was already in the works,” said current City Councilor Yolanda Cooper-Sutton for Super District 8-3.

Jones said the next step involves an ordinance process and will require a majority vote of council for approval.

Last night’s approval means it takes effect immediately.

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