Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Jackson public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
25 issues in taxes budget
Tourism tax referendum on November 3 ballot
Hotels and motels would pay 1% more and restaurants 0.5% more to fund the Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau — but voters will decide at an election set in motion by the council's 7-0 resolution.
Elderly home repair assistance
Councilman Stokes raised the loss of grant funding for repairing homes of elderly residents and asked the city to find money to keep seniors out of nursing homes.
2026 Business Improvement District Assessments
The council renewed the 2026 assessments for Greater Belhaven, Downtown Jackson and Fondren business improvement districts, each passing 5-0-1.
Solid waste disposal fee ordinance
A proposed ordinance would amend the city's solid waste facility disposal fees under Section 106-148 of the Code of Ordinances. Any change could affect what residents and businesses pay for waste disposal.
Public Works staffing vacancies
Public Works has 24 open positions but only 7 are actively being recruited. Council members want engineers hired to rebuild lost institutional knowledge, pay scales raised to keep trained staff from leaving for MDOT, and the city's job listings made easier to find online.
1% Sales Tax Funding
Phase 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) of neighborhood street paving is 60–90% complete and should finish by year's end. Phase 2 design is funded at $550,000, with roughly $16 million reportedly obligated for construction — but council members want clarity on available bond money and a fair, data-driven way to pick which streets get paved next.
Staffing and vacancy levels
Unfilled Public Works positions mean slower street repairs, missed trash pickups and delayed services. The discussion was aimed at understanding the size of the gap.
Municipal budget revision for FY 2025-2027
The city was set to revise its current two-year budget. Budget changes can affect everything from street repairs to public safety staffing.
Unpaid city debts and collections
The council backed a Municipal Intercept Company agreement to recover unpaid fines and fees via state tax set-offs at no direct cost. Parkinson called it a real fix for code-enforcement collection gaps; the Mayor noted the city does 'a horrible job' collecting.
Ad valorem tax levies and FY2026-2027 municipal budget
The city's spending plan for the coming fiscal year was the sole substantive item on the special meeting agenda. Adopting the budget determines funding levels for city services, departments, and programs for the year ahead.
Cybersecurity, grants, and IT modernization
The city negotiated C Spire Business down to $1,001,962.88 for a major IT and network upgrade. No record shows whether the contract was approved.
Hood Administration Building Power Restoration
The city made an emergency procurement from Southern Electric Corporation to restore power to the Hood Administration Building, with ratification and payment scheduled. Outcome unknown.
Technology and AI modernization of city services
The city negotiated C Spire Business down to $1,001,962.88 for a major IT and network upgrade. No record shows whether the contract was approved.
Double-paid phone contracts and $1.3M in potential refunds
IT discovered the city was paying two phone providers about $30,000 a month each for the same service. Legal has put both companies on notice, and roughly $1.3 million in refunds may come back to the city — though the committee stressed none of that money should be counted in the budget until it's actually in hand.
Constituent Services understaffed and without a vehicle
The constituent services division is down to one person, Pearl Campbell, who is driving her personal vehicle to community meetings across the city because the police department reclaimed the office's vehicle. Council members want a vehicle assigned and are weighing whether to add a position.
Deadline fleet vehicles and surplus process
A side discussion revealed PEG's fleet is effectively one 2005 van, with two dead vehicles still showing up in inventory. Council members laid out the proper process: get the garage's assessment in writing, route it to internal audit, and have council declare the vehicles surplus — then sell them on GovDeals.
FY 2027 Administration & General Government budget
The committee is reviewing next year's budgets for the city's administrative offices. Administration proposes a $1.8M cut, the Mayor's office a 16% cut, while the City Attorney wants ~$1M more than finance recommended for positions and raises.
Community Improvement and Demolition Budget
State money for the Highway 80 corridor is gone and demolition funds are nearly depleted. A $800K HUD reallocation may help within weeks, and bringing demolition in-house will be discussed at the next meeting.
$1 Million FEMA BRIC Grant Application
The council considered applying for a $1 million federal Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant. If awarded, federal money would fund resilience projects in the city.
Property Insurance Procurement
The city renewed its $1.25 billion all-perils property coverage with the same carrier group as last year, saving roughly $300,000 and picking up cyber coverage.
Employee health insurance costs
The city spends over $15 million a year on health insurance and currently covers 100% of employee and 85% of family premiums. Officials floated asking employees to pay more, and a healthcare advisor recommendation is stuck in committee — the mayor wants it to a hearing.
$23 Million General Fund Budget Shortfall
The city budgeted $135 million but expects only about $112 million in revenue — a $23 million gap that state law requires be closed. First step: cut spending back to last year's actual levels, saving $10.7 million. Another $13 million in cuts is still up in the air.
Public Works Equipment Purchases and Delivery
Nearly 20 pieces of equipment — skid steers, dump trucks, trailers, mowers — are arriving within a month, which should speed up grass cutting, litter pickup and blight work across the city. Members want crews organized and equipment secured at the Michael Avalon lot.
Grants management reform
After past audit findings and returning federal ARPA funds, the city has a new seven-point checklist and centralized grants office tracking about a dozen applications worth up to $20 million.
Proposed changes to divisions and organization chart
The department is consolidating five deputy director roles into one, unifying permitting and code enforcement, and adding a welcome center so residents can handle zoning and permits in one stop on the first floor.