Lakeland News

As three of Shelby County's six suburban towns and cities locked in July 16 referendums on forming municipal school districts, there were indications of renewed discussions between the suburban leaders and Shelby County Commissioners on the terms of forming those districts.

The Shelby County Commission on Monday approved a $1.7 million, 5-year contract with American Medical Response to provide ambulance service for unincorporated Shelby County, Arlington, Lakeland and Millington.

Legislative bodies in five of Shelby County's six suburbs began the process Monday evening of setting July 16 referendums for voters to decide on municipal schools in their cities.

An ad hoc committee is proposing a newly created Shelby County Fire Department that will include Arlington, Lakeland, Millington and the unincorporated areas of Shelby County in a new fire district.

Gov. Bill Haslam on Monday signed into law the second of the two municipal school district bills - this one removing the limits on the number of school systems permitted in a county.

Shelby County Commissioner Wyatt Bunker says he plans to run for mayor of Lakeland and hopes to bring to the city the leadership needed to help establish its municipal schools.

But Memphis may not join the forming set of special elections until very late in the year if at all, according to one estimate by the Shelby County Election Commission.