Jackson Free Press

Read the city's stormwater management proposal (PDF, 64 KB)

Jackson Public Works Director Dan Gaillet informed city council members that the city is facing $48,000 in fines from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for polluted rain water running off the city's streets and into nearby creeks and rivers.

"This is a water quality issue," Gaillet told the council. "Back in 2008, DEQ approached the city and pointed out that we were deficient in 28 areas, and gave us until May of 2009 to correct these issues. June 1, 2009, DEQ told us that we had not reached that level. We started off with a $10,000 fine and $100 a day, and that's where we're at right now."

MDEQ demands the city update a storm water management program to increase the quality of water pouring into the Pearl River. For the first phase of the improvements, the plan includes inspecting 37 septic tanks, amending existing storm water ordinances, inspecting 38 city-owned facilities and 56 industrial facilities, as well as mapping 313 chemical locations with Geographic Information System technology and inspecting more than 20 active construction and post construction sites.

The proposed second phase calls for the city to conduct two stream-cleaning programs, two training programs, and begin a media public awareness campaign on the importance of clean water run-off and distributing brochures to citizens on keeping run-off clean. The city also has to take a more active role in monitoring construction sites and abandoned property for soil erosion issues and documenting the quantity of debris it removes from storm water systems.

Gaillet says the third phase involves constructing expensive oil and water separation machinery on city facilities, and mapping and inspecting the city's storm water drainage system. Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. told an astounded council on Monday that the plan is likely to cost the city anywhere between $200,000 and $300,000, but did not offer a date when the council would vote on the plan. Without that investment, he said, the city will remain out of MDEQ compliance and continue to rack up fines in the upcoming years.

Retirement Rate Increases

Johnson and Personnel Management Director Denise McKay told council members during yesterday's work session that city employees' retirement contributions are about to rise from 7.25 percent of their gross salaries to 9 percent in July.

McKay said the situation arose as a result of the market downturn, coupled with the fact that the Public Employees Retirement System accrued liability had more than doubled since 1998 due to the increase in the number of retirees and improved longevity. In response, Gov. Haley Barbour called an April Legislative special session and signed House Bill 1 raising the state employee's contributions from 7.25 percent to 9 percent, with Barbour arguing that refusing the hike would cost the state $70 million, and possibly 1,000 jobs.

Brenda Scott, who represents the Mississippi Alliance of State Employees countered that Barbour was exaggerating the potential job losses and warned that the rate increase would hit employees hard during these rough economic times.

A city or state employee currently puts 7.25 percent of their salary towards retirement, with the employer matching that figure by 12 percent. The Mississippi Retirement Board decided to increase the employers rate from 12 to 13.56 percent this year, but McKay said legislators decided during the April special session to delay the rate increase for employers until July 1, 2012.

Johnson attempted to translate the rate increase for council members: "For someone making $8.50 an hour over the course of a year, this may be a $300 or $400 a year (increase)," Johnson said.

Council members remained unhappy at the news, although Council President Frank Bluntson expressed relief that the decision to impose the rate increase lay on the backs of legislators, not the council.