Bartlett Alderman David Reaves wants the city to explore whether it could scrap its property tax entirely, a move that would upend how the suburb pays for police, roads, and parks. He floated the idea near the end of a recent Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting and is asking for a feasibility review in 2026.
Reaves raised the topic at the close of a board meeting last month and said he would like the council to study the option next year, according to The Daily Memphian. The outlet reported that his comments came during an open discussion rather than as a formal ordinance proposal.
“I never have been a big fan of property tax just in general,” Reaves told The Daily Memphian. He added that he was uncomfortable with the government foreclosing on homes for unpaid taxes, according to the report.
Bartlett’s Tax Department lists the city’s 2025 property tax rate at $1.66 per $100 of assessed value and notes that bills are typically due Dec. 1 and become delinquent March 1, according to the City of Bartlett Tax Department. That revenue pays for patrols, road work, salaries, and other basic services, so a full repeal would create a significant budget hole the city would have to fill somehow.
Where The Idea Is Gaining Traction
The conversation in Bartlett mirrors statewide and national pushes to phase out or sharply reduce property taxes, including North Dakota’s “path to zero” concept and proposals floated in Florida and Georgia. Policy analysts warn that such moves can leave large, long-lasting funding gaps for schools and local services, according to AP News.
Legal And Budget Hurdles
Municipal taxing authority and the rules for ad valorem levies are set in state law, so wiping out a city property tax would likely require action at the state level, a charter amendment, or other legal changes, according to the Tennessee Code. Any serious proposal would also need multiyear fiscal modeling to show how police, streets, and other services would keep operating without that revenue.
What Comes Next In Bartlett
For now, Reaves has only asked that the council study the concept. Moving beyond that would require a formal directive to city staff and public hearings, per City of Bartlett guidance on board meetings and agendas. If the board orders a study, the finance director, the city attorney, and possibly outside consultants would likely be tasked with producing the numbers aldermen would need to weigh any change.
The idea is a long shot, but it has already forced a budget conversation. Bartlett residents and leaders will get a clearer picture only after staff and experts put the math on paper.
