What You Need to Know - Jackson City Council Meeting 7/28/26

City Council Agenda Packet Can Be Found Here

The Jackson City Council began its meeting by honoring retiring WAPT Chief Meteorologist David Hartman and celebrating the life and legacy of the late Dr. James Clinton Smith, a veteran, pediatrician, educator and longtime community leader.

By the Numbers

• More than $20 million approved for road, bridge and drainage infrastructure projects

• $1 million federal cybersecurity grant accepted

• Nearly $300,000 received through a PFAS legal settlement

• 8 Jackson Police Department patrol vehicles approved for upfitting

• 5 Municipal Court judges now authorized under city ordinance

Infrastructure Projects Move Forward

The Council approved more than $20 million in roadway, bridge and drainage improvements funded through the City’s Infrastructure Modernization Tax Fund Bond Program.

Among the projects receiving funding are improvements to Eubanks Creek, Belhaven Creek and Cany Creek, three drainage corridors that have contributed to repeated flooding concerns in portions of Jackson.

While road resurfacing often receives the most public attention, drainage improvements remain one of the City’s most significant long-term investments, helping reduce flooding risks and protecting homes, businesses and neighborhood infrastructure.

Council members noted that approving the projects now allows required state bond timelines to move forward, helping prevent construction delays into next year.

Planetarium Partnership Approved

One of the evening’s biggest decisions centered on the future of the McNair-Davis Planetarium.

The Council approved a joint operating agreement with the Mississippi Museum of Art, which will manage day-to-day operations once the renovated facility reopens.

The City will retain ownership of the Planetarium while the Museum oversees programming, staffing and visitor operations.

Originally opened in 1979, the Planetarium has remained closed since sustaining significant roof damage in 2018. 

Renovations have been underway for several years through a combination of public and private investment through the Friends of the Planetarium and their fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi.

City leaders said the partnership positions the Planetarium to become both an educational destination and a cultural asset for Jackson residents and visitors.

Jackson Awarded $1 Million Cybersecurity Grant

The Council officially accepted a $1 million federal cybersecurity grant after Jackson was selected through a competitive Homeland Security funding program.

The grant will allow the City’s Information Technology Department to modernize aging equipment and strengthen protections against cyber threats.

The funding follows months of grant preparation led by the City’s IT Department.

Municipal Court Expansion Approved

Council members approved amendments to Jackson’s Municipal Court structure.

The ordinance increases the number of Municipal Court judges authorized under city code from three to five and establishes a Presiding Judge responsible for overseeing administrative operations.

The Council also confirmed the appointment of Louis Clifford IV as one of Jackson’s Municipal Court judges.

Public Safety Investments Continue

The Council approved the upfitting of eight Dodge Durangos for the Jackson Police Department.

Police leadership confirmed the vehicles will be assigned to patrol operations to strengthen law enforcement presence throughout the city.

Public Buildings Receive Needed Improvements

The Council approved replacing the boiler at the Willie Morris Library, continuing efforts to address deferred maintenance within city-owned facilities.

The library system operates through a partnership between the City of Jackson and Hinds County, with the City responsible for maintaining the buildings.

Workers’ Compensation Coverage Renewed

The Council renewed the City’s workers’ compensation coverage.

Officials reported the updated plan is expected to save approximately $1 million while maintaining comparable employee protections.

Legal Settlements and Environmental Recovery

The City accepted nearly $300,000 through litigation involving PFAS. 

PFAS stands for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances. They are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s in products designed to resist water, grease, heat and stains. Because they break down extremely slowly in the environment and in the human body, they are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.”

The settlement provides additional funding related to environmental claims associated with widespread PFAS contamination.

Telecommunications Litigation Approved

Council members authorized agreements with two law firms to pursue litigation involving lead-sheathed telecommunications cables that remain throughout portions of the city.

The lawsuits seek to address environmental concerns involving aging infrastructure that companies previously committed to removing, but failed to do so.

Shaw Bridge Rehabilitation Advances

Additional agreements were approved supporting rehabilitation work on Shaw Bridge, allowing another phase of the long-planned infrastructure project to move forward.

Budget Amendment Fails

The Council considered an amendment to the City’s FY2026 budget but did not approve the measure.

The discussion centered on differing interpretations of Mississippi law, which requires municipalities to amend their budgets when a deficit is indicated. While General Fund revenues are now projected to come in below the original budget estimate, expenditures have also been reduced, prompting debate over whether a formal budget amendment was legally necessary.

Expected revenues are said to be hovering around $6 million, which is in deficit by a need of an estimated $36 million. 

While the amendment failed, Council members agreed that future budgets will benefit from more current financial data during the budgeting process.

Before You Go, You Should Know

The Council recessed rather than formally adjourning because one routine tax-related item remained unfinished.

Members are scheduled to reconvene Friday morning to address that item and consider the first step of the proposed Vieux Carré Redevelopment Project Tax Increment Financing (TIF) request. Vieux Carré is located in Fondren on I-55 Frontage Road just south of St. Andrews Lower School in Ward 7. 

Next Meeting

The next regular Jackson City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11th at 10 a.m.

Residents are encouraged to attend in person or watch online.