What You Need to Know: Jackson City Council Meeting 9/22/26

Image Credit: Imani Khayyam

The Jackson City Council met Tuesday, Sept. 22, for its regular meeting. The Council opened the meeting in memory of Sonny Easom, who died unexpectedly last week.

Council members extended condolences to Easom’s family and recognized his life and contributions to the Jackson community.

By the Numbers

• 3 new members confirmed to the Jackson Planning Board
• 3 vacant city-owned parcels approved for sale and future housing development
• 80% of a new transit landscaping contract funded by the Federal Transit Administration
• $560,747.50 corrected project cost for repairs to the Shaw Road Bridge
• $10 per ton proposed disposal rate for Jackson residents using the city-operated rubbish facility
• 12 discounted rubbish facility visits proposed annually for Jackson residents
• Approximately $12,000 collected from hundreds of thousands of dollars in code enforcement costs charged to property owners this year

New Rubbish Facility Fees Proposed

The Council introduced an ordinance that would change how disposal fees are calculated at the city-operated rubbish facility located in Byram.

Currently, disposal charges are determined using a visual estimate of the amount of material being brought to the facility. The city has purchased a large scale that will allow loads to be weighed instead.

Under the proposed ordinance, Jackson residents would pay $10 per ton with no minimum charge for up to 12 visits per calendar year. Beginning with the 13th visit, residents would pay the nonresident rate of $20 per ton with a one-ton minimum.

Nonresidents would pay $20 per ton with a one-ton minimum on all visits.

Separate tire disposal fees are proposed at $1 for each car or truck tire, $3 for each commercial tire and $5 for each tractor, farm or skid-steer tire.

For neighborhood residents, it is important to remember that the rubbish facility is not the only option for disposing of large items. Jackson residents can continue using their designated monthly curbside bulk collection and city roll-off dumpster events.

No vote was taken on the proposed fee changes. The ordinance was introduced and is expected to return to the Council for consideration at its next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 6th at 10:00 am. 

Planning Board Adds Three Members

The Council confirmed Vanessa Gray (Ward 4), James Shoulders (Ward 4) and Hosea Hines (Ward 6) to serve on the Jackson Planning Board.

The Planning Board reviews matters involving land use, development and planning that can directly affect neighborhoods across Jackson.

Maintaining a full board is also important operationally. Vacancies can make it difficult to establish a quorum, potentially delaying meetings and decisions involving development projects throughout the city.

The three members serve in a volunteer capacity.

Federal Funding Covers Majority of Transit Landscaping

The Council approved a contract for lawn maintenance at transit properties throughout Jackson.

The selected company, MS Yard Barber LLC, submitted what the city determined to be the lowest and best bid, with the Federal Transit Administration covering 80% of the cost.

Maintaining transit properties is part of the larger responsibility of keeping public spaces accessible and maintained for residents who rely on JTRAN and other city transportation services.

Employee Benefit Contracts Extended

The Council extended contracts with MetLife, which provides life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance to city employees, and 3P Benefits Solutions, which administers employee benefits.

Both providers agreed to continue coverage at the city’s existing rates.

Vacant City Property Headed Toward Housing

The Council approved the sale of three vacant city-owned parcels to a local company, Wil-Mat Investments LLC, who  plan to develop housing on the properties.

The action represents one approach for what happens to vacant and surplus city property.

Returning unused property to productive use can reduce maintenance responsibilities for the city and potentially add residents and taxable property to neighborhoods.

The action also follows broader Council discussions about whether Jackson’s process for selling surplus property can be made easier to navigate for responsible local organizations and developers interested in investing in neighborhoods.

Traffic Signal Improvements Advance at Old Canton Road and Ridgewood Road

The Council approved an agreement allowing Entergy to relocate utility infrastructure near the intersection of Old Canton Road and Ridgewood Road.

The relocation is necessary for the city to install a new mast arm for the traffic signal at the intersection. Unlike traffic signals suspended from span wires, mast arms use permanent horizontal structures extending over the roadway to support signal equipment.

The project is part of broader efforts to repair and modernize damaged traffic signals throughout Jackson.

Shaw Road Bridge Project Cost Corrected

The Council corrected a clerical error associated with the Shaw Road Bridge repair project.

The contract with Hemphill Construction should reflect a project cost of $560,747.50. Previous documents incorrectly listed the amount as $560,751.39.

The correction does not change the scope of the bridge project and reduces the previously stated amount by $3.89.

Council Calls for Stronger Collection of Blight Related Debt

The Council approved a resolution supporting an agreement with the Municipal Intercept Company to assist Jackson with collecting unpaid debts owed to the city.

This has particular relevance to neighborhood blight.

When the city performs code enforcement work because a property owner has failed to address unsafe or neglected conditions, the cost of that work can be charged back to the owner. However, billing someone and actually collecting the money are two different things.

City officials reported that Jackson has performed hundreds of thousands of dollars in code enforcement work this year but recovered only about $12,000 from responsible property owners.

That leaves taxpayers carrying much of the cost of cleaning private properties.

The proposed partnership would provide another mechanism for pursuing money legally owed to the city. The resolution itself expresses the Council’s support for moving in that direction. Additional action will be necessary to establish the actual agreement.

For neighborhoods, stronger collection could become another piece of Jackson’s evolving blight strategy. Declaring properties a menace, completing cleanup work and holding negligent owners financially accountable are separate steps, and each one matters if the city hopes to make the process sustainable.

Before You Go, You Should Know

September was proclaimed Service Dog Month in Jackson, recognizing trained service animals and the assistance they provide to people with disabilities.

Next Meeting

The next regular Jackson City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6th, at 10 a.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.