Jackson City Council Approves New Budget

The Jackson City Council unanimously approved the budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year during a meeting this morning. In late July, Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. proposed a $317 million budget, which is 8.4% less than the current fiscal year’s. The Mayor’s budget proposal included no tax increase to the citizens of Jackson, no cuts in services, no lay-offs or furloughs. The Mayor had proposed a 2% increase for all full-time city employees beginning in January. The council, instead, put forward and approved an amendment to the proposed budget this morning to give all full-time employees a $950 across the board pay increase.

The cost to provide this increase is estimated to be approximately $450,000 above what was previously budgeted. The City Council also proposed and voted to offset this cost by decreasing the General Fund operations, excluding salaries, by the amount needed.

“We presented a very lean, balanced budget,” said Mayor Johnson, “We are very pleased that the City Council passed the budget and that we are able to offer our employees a pay increase. Our challenge now is to take a look at the unanticipated cost of higher than proposed raises and to determine if we will have to cut any services.”

Mayor Johnson put forward six priority areas that were included in the approved 2011-2012 budget. Some of the major highlights of the priority areas are listed below:

1. Improving Technology

Conducting an Information Technology Strategic Plan
Continue to enhance 311 System
Implement Court Management System that will allow JPD and Court Services to more readily share information about tickets, warrants, etc.

2. Public Safety

Hold three recruit classes this budget year to bring force to at least 500 officers
Hire five new part time 911 operators in 911 Call Center
Hire five new detention officers for our Adult Detention Center
Hire eight security officers for city facilities, doubling the number
Creating the position of Corporal in JPD that will be available for all officers with ten or more years of service to provide an automatic pool of experienced offers that could add level of supervision
Expand beats in precinct 4
Continuing to purchase technology to aid us in fighting crime. Purchasing e-ticket writer devices this year.

3. Improving City’s Appearance

Addressing some deferred maintenance issues to make improvements to City Hall, Thalia Mara Hall, Crime Lab, Central Fire Station, Fire Garage and the Charles Tillman Bridge
Creating a special unit in Parks and Recreation to address the 200 city owned lots
Moving 14 positions from Public Works to Parks and Recreation to assist with City rights of way clean up
Purchasing two street sweepers for major thoroughfares.
Speed up environmental review for blight removal
Launching a Public Art Initiative

4. Infrastructure

Continuing the $35 million in water improvements we started this year
Anticipate borrowing $20 million in State Revolving Loans to address improvements to our Wastewater and Water treatment plants
$1.6 million for street repaving and critical bridge replacement
Continuing several other major street projects: Fortification, Lynch Street, Dr. Jesse Mosley Drive
Water meter replacement program

5. Jobs for Jacksonians