Jackson Public Works Committee: Water Authority Act Discussion - April 22, 2026
Jackson Public Works Committee Meeting: Water Authority Act Discussion - April 22, 2026
The Public Works Committee of the Jackson City Council met on April 22, 2026, to receive an equipment update for blight control and to conduct a thorough discussion of the recently enacted Metro Jackson Water Authority Act. City Attorney Drew Martin presented a detailed analysis of the legislation, covering governance, finances, rates, and transition processes. Council members raised concerns about the city's limited representation, lack of affordability protections, and the state's unilateral approach.
Equipment Update for Blight Control
Lorenzo Anderson, Public Works Director, reported on the status of equipment orders for blight control. The ski sphere (blight control attachment) is on quick bid (reverse auction) in April, with attachments to be ordered after vendor selection. Four 2500 RAM pickup trucks are ordered with an expected delivery date of June 1st (longer than anticipated). Dump trailers, utility trailers, and zero-turn mowers have been received. The mini excavator is on reverse auction with a May 1st date. The roll-off truck is on quick bid, and ATVs are ordered. The update emphasized the critical role of equipment in advancing blight cleanup.
Discussion of the Metro Jackson Water Authority Act
City Attorney Drew Martin provided an overview of the act, which creates a public benefit corporation to manage water and wastewater systems serving Jackson and its customers. Key points included:
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Board Composition: The nine-member board includes three members appointed by the Jackson mayor (confirmed by council), two by the governor, one by the lieutenant governor, one by the governor in consultation with the Jackson mayor, and one each by the mayors of Ridgeland and Byron (confirmed by their boards). The Jackson mayor serves as a non-voting ex officio member. The city thus holds three out of nine votes (no majority). Council members noted that Ridgeland and Byron, representing only 11% of ratepayers, each receive a full voting member despite being customers with no ownership or debt obligations.
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Appointment Timing: Initial board members must be appointed by May 1, 2026, with no penalty for delay. Councilman Hartley warned that if the city does not appoint its members quickly, a majority could be formed and a president selected without city input.
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President Selection: Within 30 days of a majority being appointed, the board must select a president, who will serve as deputy to the Interim Third-Party Manager (ITPM) until court-ordered transition. The president's salary is not specified in the statute, raising concerns about attracting qualified candidates.
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Lease Negotiation: The authority must negotiate a lease with the city to use its infrastructure. The city has leverage to include non-monetary terms such as affordability studies. The lease term continues until all authority bonds are paid off, and the system returns to the city after debt is satisfied. Council members expressed concern that the authority could perpetually carry debt, preventing return of the system.
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Rate Setting: The board can set rates with a two-thirds vote for increases. A biennial rate study is required; if two consecutive studies show a deficit, a rate increase is mandated. No affordability study is required, and rates are not subject to Public Service Commission oversight. Councilman Foote and others emphasized the need to protect vulnerable residents from excessive rate increases.
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Financial and Operational Provisions: The authority can issue new debt, refinance existing debt, and write off bad debt prior to November 22, 2022. Major procurements over $1 million require competitive bidding. The authority is subject to Open Meetings and Public Records Acts, increasing transparency. No in-person customer center is required, but a billing dispute process must be established.
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Federal Court Role: The act does not override Judge Wingate's authority; the transition can only occur by court order. Council members noted that the system is not yet fully stabilized, particularly billing, and questioned whether transfer is premature.
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Council Positions: Councilman Foote characterized the act as a "legislative taking" and stated the state should have consulted the people. Councilman Hartley called for due diligence, including engaging Judge Wingate. Councilman Parkinson stressed the need for independent analysis before decisions. The mayor noted that the lease does not yet exist and that the process is extremely preliminary.
Key Outcomes
- Councilman Parkinson announced that he has sent letters to the Mississippi Public Utility Staff and the Public Service Commissioner requesting independent analyses of billing system integrity, customer service, operational readiness, financial risk, and transition readiness.
- The committee voted to enter executive session to discuss legal strategy regarding the litigation involving the city's water system and the federal court.
- No formal votes were taken on the act itself; the discussion was informational.
Meeting Transcript
Mr. Martin comes up and brief us. I want to have uh just a quick update on our ordering of uh equipment um for especially for blight control afternoon, Lorenzo Anderson Public Works Director. Um I'll just go over the list. Um ski sphere is on the quick bid in April. Uh we have a couple of we're going through the reverse auction uh on some of these uh equipment. So when I say uh quick bid, that's what we're doing the reverse auction. Uh ski is fear. Uh like I said, April, uh all the attachments will be ordered uh once we receive that or know the vendor, so it makes sure that it attaches to uh what we select. Um we have the four 2500 RAM pickup trucks. Uh they're ordered, and we're waiting for the due date. We they did say uh they're expecting it to be longer than expected around June the first. Um we have the dump trucks, I mean dump trailers receive you utility trailers receive. We have a zero turns received, and um the meaning excavator is on the reverse uh auction. Um, I think May 1st, meaning excavator uh more quick purchasing, which is a reverse auction, and the roll off truck is on the quick bid, and ATVs are ordered. Okay, and how many skips there is what's that? Um that update again. Uh our ability to uh clean up blight is is critical to moving the city forward as well. So we're going to start now with the uh discussion overview of the Metro Jackson Water Authority Act. And I say that, and I'd like to start off by saying, you know, this is not just about water, this is about who pays and who decides things. And we have to be clear. And so it's important that we look at uh the city of Jackson governance in this matter. So with that said, I'd like to uh have Mr. Drew Martin. Yes, sir. Drew Martin City Attorney. So I've tried to break this down into several categories. Y'all feel free to stop and interrupt me at any time to tell me to focus on one area or another if I don't cover it the way you want. That said, I probably have a section for each thing you're gonna ask about. I hope I do at least. Um, and so I'll I will likely get to all of it. Let me give a real brief overview first. So just as Councilman Hartley said, the act is known as the Metro Jackson Water Authority Act, and it creates what's known as a public benefit corporation that states its purpose is to manage the water and the and wastewater systems that serve uh Jackson and the current received Jackson services. Um the authority does not come into existence until an appointment of a majority of the board. The board is nine members, so that means you need five members to be appointed before the entity exists, and as was mentioned last night, uh the statute gives a May 1st date for appointing the members. Well, it really says May 1st, but I think it has to mean May 1st or after because they're not all going to be appointed by May 1st. I I don't believe, but but we'll see. It says May 1st. Uh a couple of high points. Uh any rate increase and any expenditure exceeding five million dollars will require at least a two-thirds majority vote to pass. That's down from what was originally suggested, but it's still greater than a majority. Say again rate increases and expenditures exceeding five million dollars. Okay. Right. Requires a two-third. And uh, I would encourage the uh turn on your mic, please. I would encourage the council members to ask questions as as we get them within the framework of sure of your program. That'll be fine. Uh to answer your question, I mean five million. Right.
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