Jackson Document Debate

The mayor's office says they delayed handing over these financial documents that show city spending because they didn't want to release employees social security numbers and other sensitive information.

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Published: March 31, 2009

The stack is a foot tall and contains close to 4,000 sheets of paper that show when, where, and how the city spends its money.

After months of pressuring and even threats of a lawsuit, Jackson Mayor Frank Melton turned over the city's financial records to the city council.

The documents detail where the city spends its money. They cover four years of spending from 2005 through 2008.

The city council threatened to sue the city if the mayor didn't give the council's Budget Committee the documents, which include tax forms.

"It seems like some weeks we can get what we want, and then other weeks it's like stirring concrete with our eyelashes," said Councilman Jeff Weill, who chairs the Budget Committee. "We've got an overall budget of $350 million, and I want to make sure that it's being spent correctly."

In a letter sent to the council last month and obtained by News Channel 12, Mississippi's Attorney General's Office wrote "the city council has the authority to require the production of municipal tax records...Furthermore, the city council's authority to require production of municipal records is not subject to mayoral veto."

The council even passed a resolution requesting the documents, but the mayor's office stonewalled.

"We were concerned that sensitive information about city employees could be exposed," said Goldia Revies, Director of Constituent Services. "I hope it won't be released."

With the help of accountants and auditors, Weill says he's reviewing the documents and making sure private information is properly protected. He says he already has several questions regarding some information, which he wants to discuss with Jackson Mayor Frank Melton.