Jackson Free Press

The Jackson City Council dropped the bomb at a special meeting that the city of Jackson is still stuck with a $3 million deficit from the 2006-'07 budget, even after the Council approved the 2008 budget last week. "We need to address the issue of the closed-out budget of '06-'07, which by state law, we are required to have balanced by Sept. 30. Right now, that is not the case," said Ward 6 Councilman Marshand Crisler. "I don't think we can over-emphasize the importance of doing that in a timely fashion."

The Jackson Free Press reported last month that the city was facing a combined shortfall of more than $10 million regarding the 2006-07 and 2007-08 budgets, thanks to revenue decreases, unexpected overtime costs and overestimations on municipal court collections.

Attention switched to the 2007-08 budget over the last few weeks, however, culminating in a balanced budget—but just for the '07-'08 year. The city had passed the new $387.7 million budget two weeks ago, complete with fee increases on sanitation and water/sewer bills, but the shortfall from '07 still lingers, and Crisler warned that time is growing impossibly short for dealing with it. The council has only a handful of days to address the issue, but Crisler and Ward 2 Councilman Leslie McLemore will be in Chicago from Wednesday to Sunday of this week, attending a conference with the National League of Cities.

Administration officials also did not show for the 2 p.m. budget meeting, adding both to delays and the feeling of desperation.

"The council needs some type of heads-up on what the administration is considering its options for balancing this budget, but we don't have anything before us," said Crisler, who is Budget Committee chairman.

Director of Administration Rick Hill suggested borrowing from the city's $7.5 million reserve budget, which would affect the city's bond rating with credit agencies. Crisler said he was considering supporting a tax swap, which would replenish the money borrowed from the reserves as a means to preserve the city's credit standing.

Previous Comments

ID

95931

Comment

What a set-up...which I predicted! Looks like the curent administration promised somebody the fees for re-financing the city bond indebtedness. Probably one of those "Payday Cash" outfits or a law firm or the city attorney. It's an old negotiating ploy..create a time crunch crisis and reason goes on a vacation.

Author

FrankMickens

Date

2007-09-24T18:52:30-06:00

ID

95932

Comment

I said on another link that the mayor need a Chief and the Chief needs a mayor. To expand on this thought: The Council needs a Mayor and the Mayor needs a Council. The citizens of Jackson need to clean house! Where is the MONEY??????

Author

justjess

Date

2007-09-25T09:10:23-06:00

ID

95933

Comment

Why did this Council wait until the 11 hour to verify Chicken Little's story? The sky is falling! Are there no quartely reporting to avoid this end of the fiscal year scrambling?

Author

justjess

Date

2007-09-25T09:13:44-06:00

ID

95934

Comment

I'm beginning to lose all hope here. I believe Dante put it best... Abandon hope all ye who enter here It seems like no matter how loud we complain... How much we point out.... How many MISTAKES the crazy little man makes.... We're stuck with him like a bad case herpes. I just wish something would come out of the FBI investigation, but even then, I'm losing hope on that as well.

Author

Puck

Date

2007-09-25T09:33:31-06:00

ID

95935

Comment

Donna, Trying to call your cell. Sorry, wrong post, but need to talk. Have information.

Author

JMK

Date

2007-09-25T20:29:20-06:00