The University Medical Center is a state-of-the-art facility that has undergone more than $335 million in new construction and renovations over the last 10 years. Now the university can throw $200,000 back on the pile.
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton recently refused an annual $200,000 city grant from the University Medical Center. The grant, devised three years ago by former Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr., former Fire Chief Raymond McNulty and the university hospital, has resulted in $400,000 for the Jackson Fire Department over the last two years—used to buy fire equipment and supplies.
Melton returned the money this year, however, despite a straining city budget that fell short of revenue expectations, according to Budget Committee Chairman, Ward 5 Councilman Charles Tillman.
City spokeswoman Carolyn Redd did not return calls on the matter Tuesday. Interim Fire Chief Todd Chandler returned calls, but offered no comment.
Dan Jones, vice chancellor for health affairs and chief executive of UMC, said the university orchestrated the grant as a goodwill gift to the city.
"This was a payment that went to fire protection that's been in place for a number of years at a number of universities, and the theory behind it was that because we are a state institution we pay no tax dollars. But our buildings tend to be taller and have more people in them than some other buildings do, so sometimes unusual fire equipment is required to provide appropriate fire protection," Jones said. "Some years ago, there was an agreement between the city and the medical center for some funds to be given to the city that could be used for fire protection."
Jones said UMC welcomes the mayor's decision.
"The fire department has always been here for us, and we've been grateful for that. But then in my meeting with the mayor in the last few months, the mayor suggested we did not need to continue that financial arrangement, and of course that was happy news for me," Jones said.
Council President Marshand Crisler, however, took the news more stiffly.
"I don't have much control over what the mayor does," Crisler said. "If he chooses to give back money, then it's likely that we the council will never even hear about it."
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