Image Credit: Imani Khayyam
The Jackson City Council met Oct. 5 for its regular meeting. From a new way of calculating rubbish disposal fees to additional grass cutting, continued creek monitoring and a potential economic development project near the Pearl River, several items centered on how Jackson maintains its neighborhoods while planning for future growth.
By the Numbers
$10 per ton disposal rate approved for Jackson residents using the city-operated rubbish facility
12 discounted rubbish facility visits available annually to Jackson residents
More than 20 additional miles of city property added for lawn maintenance
Approximately $1.16 million in public safety grant applications authorized
80% federal funding supporting continued creek monitoring
$110,500 potential sale price discussed for surplus property near the Pearl River
1 grant accepted to help pursue the return of nonstop air service between Jackson and Chicago
New Rubbish Facility Fees Approved
The Council approved changes to disposal fees at Jackson’s city-operated rubbish facility in Byram.
Previously, fees were based on a visual estimate of how much material someone brought to the facility. The city has purchased a large scale, allowing loads to be weighed and customers to be charged based on actual tonnage.
Under the new structure, Jackson residents will pay $10 per ton with no minimum charge for up to 12 visits per calendar year. Beginning with the 13th visit, residents will pay the nonresident rate of $20 per ton with a one-ton minimum.
Tire disposal fees are $1 each for car or truck tires, $3 for commercial tires and $5 for tractor, farm or skid-steer tires.
The 12-visit allowance is intended for residential use rather than commercial dumping. Residents will continue to have access to other disposal options, including monthly curbside bulk collection and city roll-off dumpster events.
For neighborhoods, this change creates a more consistent and objective system for disposing of unwanted materials, an important part of the city’s larger effort to combat illegal dumping and blight.
Downtown Business Improvement District Heads to Public Hearing
The Council took a procedural vote to establish a public hearing for the Downtown Jackson Business Improvement District.
A Business Improvement District, commonly called a BID, allows property owners within a defined area to assess themselves additional funds that are then reinvested within that district. Those dollars can support services such as enhanced security, beautification, maintenance, marketing, events and economic development.
Downtown Jackson Partners administers the Downtown BID.
JAN readers may remember that the Council approved annual assessments for Jackson’s improvement districts earlier this year. The upcoming hearing is part of the process that allows Downtown property owners to determine whether they want the district to continue.
For neighborhood leaders, improvement districts are worth watching because they demonstrate one way property owners can collectively generate dedicated resources for improvements within a specific area.
311 System Continues
The Council approved continued funding for the software supporting Jackson’s 311 app and telephone reporting system.
Residents can use 311 to report nonemergency problems such as potholes, illegal dumping, damaged infrastructure and other city service concerns.
The system also creates a record of requests, making it an important tool for neighborhood associations attempting to identify recurring problems and track whether issues have been reported to the city.
State of the City Scheduled for October 13th
The Council approved use of the Jackson Convention Complex for Mayor John Horhn’s second State of the City address.
The event is scheduled for October 13, 2026 at 4 p.m. and will be held at no cost to the city.
The State of the City provides residents an opportunity to hear directly from the mayor about the administration’s priorities, progress and plans for Jackson.
JPD Pursues Nearly $1.2 Million in Grants
The Council authorized the Jackson Police Department to pursue three grants totaling approximately $1.16 million.
The applications include approximately $215,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice for drones and patrol vehicles, $650,000 from the Bureau of Justice for equipment, training and partnerships supporting crisis response and intervention, and $300,000 to expand evidence-driven gun enforcement efforts.
These votes authorize the city to pursue the funding. They do not mean the grants have already been awarded.
If successful, the grants would provide additional resources for public safety without requiring the city to fund the full cost through its general fund.
Creek Monitoring Partnership Continues
The Council approved continuation of a partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior to monitor water levels in creeks throughout Jackson.
Monitoring includes waterways such as Eubanks Creek, Belhaven Creek and Cany Creek.
The data can help the city understand changing water levels and conditions within its creek system, information that becomes particularly important when addressing drainage and flooding concerns.
With drainage remaining a persistent concern in neighborhoods across Jackson, maintaining reliable information about what is happening in the city’s waterways is an important part of planning future improvements.
More Than 20 Additional Miles Added for Grass Cutting
The Council approved an additional lawn maintenance contract covering more than 20 miles of city-maintained areas.
The measure passed 6 to 1 following discussion about whether Jackson should continue contracting with private companies for this work or rebuild its internal capacity by hiring city employees to perform more mowing and maintenance.
The Council ultimately approved the contract to address immediate maintenance needs.
The larger conversation, however, raises a question residents may hear again concerning which basic city services should Jackson perform with its own workforce, and which should be contracted to private companies?
For now, the additional contract means more city-maintained corridors will be added to the grass cutting schedule.
Grant Could Help Restore Jackson to Chicago Nonstop Flight
The Council supported acceptance of a U.S. Department of Transportation grant intended to help recruit nonstop commercial air service between Jackson and Chicago.
The grant does not guarantee that a nonstop flight will return.
Instead, it provides resources for the planning, recruitment and airline negotiations necessary to make the case for establishing the route.
Restoring nonstop service could have implications beyond passenger convenience. Additional air connectivity can support tourism, business recruitment, conventions and broader economic development efforts.
High Street Gets Community Maintenance Partner
The Council approved a partnership allowing Coxwell and Associates to contribute to maintenance along High Street.
The arrangement is similar to an adopt-a-street effort and may include both volunteer work and contracted maintenance.
High Street is a major gateway into Jackson and connects residents and visitors to important destinations throughout the city. The partnership provides another example of how businesses and community organizations can supplement city efforts to maintain prominent public corridors.
Potential Pearl River Development Discussed, But No Action Taken
The Council briefly discussed surplus city property near the Pearl River along Interstate 55 near Fortification Street. No formal action was taken.
LeFleur Development has expressed interest in the property for a potential development that could include retail, entertainment, hospitality, restaurants, offices or a combination of uses.
A casino has also been publicly discussed as one possible use. However, the City Council is not currently considering approval of a casino, and casino development is not currently legal in Jackson. State law would have to change before such a project could proceed.
The potential real estate transaction being discussed could occur in stages. A developer could first purchase an option providing time to pursue the property before potentially completing a sale. The sale price currently under discussion is $110,500, based on the average of two appraisals.
Potential protections for the city could include provisions allowing the property to revert to city ownership if promised development does not occur.
For residents, the important distinction is that there is no approved development, no approved casino and no completed sale at this point.
What exists is a potential economic development opportunity involving city-owned property that could return for further Council consideration.
Given the location and range of possible uses, this is an item JAN will continue to watch.
Council Calls for Additional Farish Street Safety Measures
The Council approved a resolution encouraging additional police presence and the installation of one-way and do-not-enter signage along Farish Street.
The action comes as redevelopment activity continues within the historic Farish Street District.
Because the action is a resolution, it expresses the Council’s position and priorities rather than immediately implementing the requested changes. Additional administrative action would be necessary to put those measures into place.
Still, increased attention to safety, traffic management and the pedestrian experience could support continued efforts to reactivate one of Jackson’s most historically significant districts.
Before You Go, You Should Know
The Council recognized October as Dyslexia Awareness Month and October 8th as World Dyslexia Day.
Dyslexia can affect reading, spelling and language processing, but early identification and appropriate intervention can make a significant difference for children. Adults who have struggled with reading throughout their lives may also benefit from evaluation and support.
The Council also recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, joining communities across the country in raising awareness about domestic violence, supporting survivors and recognizing the organizations and advocates working to provide resources, safety and assistance to individuals and families affected by abuse.
Next Meeting
The next regular Jackson City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20th, at 6 p.m.
Residents are encouraged to attend in person or watch online.
Interested in strengthening your neighborhood? Join the Jackson Association of Neighborhoods and become part of a citywide network of residents, neighborhood associations, businesses and community partners working together to build stronger communities. JAN members receive access to leadership training, resources and toolkits, funding opportunities, networking, collaborative programs and other programs.