Jackson’s Short Revenue Can Cause Budget Cuts
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JACKSON, Tenn — Budget challenges in the city of Jackson could cause cutbacks in several local departments. According to Mayor Jerry Gist, the city is short $1 million in revenue for the upcoming budget year. After meeting with several department heads on Thursday morning, Mayor Gist said changes are in order. He said the revenue shortage is a result of state budget challenges that trickle down to local governments, including a $2.1 million debt to the local school system, stemming from a mix-up over the Mixed Liquor Drink Tax. Mayor Gist said Jackson is among several other cities that didn’t know about the excessive debt owed to their schools. Because of the shortage of revenue, Mayor Gist said they don’t anticipate giving city employees any raises or bonuses next year; but residents shouldn’t feel any of the effects. “That’s the good part if we don’t feel it,” Ophelia Bond, a Jackson resident said. But not all residents are convinced. “I think there will be some change,” Tim Dendy, a Jackson resident said. Mayor Gist said there will most likely be only minor cuts to every city department, with the exception of law enforcement. “We are going to make it a goal to meet the challenge and still perform services to residents that they have received in previous years,” Mayor Gist said. The new budget year begins July 1, 2014. Mayor Gist said they do not plan to raise property taxes for residents as a result of the shortage.
