Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Jackson public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
7 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.
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.
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.
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.