Questions for the Mayor: City of Jackson Budget

2)  With a $12 million balloon payment due in FY 28, what is the City’s plan to build reserves to cover that cost?

3)  What would be classified as urgent and required to do in just one budget cycle that justifies reducing the Reserve Fund by $3 million, which is 12%?  

4)  Outside of the obvious need to pay Patrol Officers more due to current challenges in hiring for that position, what reasons are there for such large increases in salaries and benefit costs for other jobs within the City? Could those raises not be spread out over several years instead of trying to do it all in just one fiscal cycle? What other positions is the City unable to find candidates for? Why were employees told they were receiving raises before the budget  was approved?

5)  What are three (3) things within the Budget that you can share with Citizens and Taxpayers that they are receiving that they did not get in FY 24?

6)  Polls show Jacksonians would prefer more $$$ be spent for infrastructure, especially roads, but the budget is not geared in that direction.  Outside of basic City Services and raises for personnel, which aspects of the budget prioritize its Citizens’ desires?

7)  Would it not be fiscally responsible for the budget to be examined closely when such significant increases are proposed?  Why the rush to spend almost $100 million without ensuring it is spent in the best interests of the citizens of Jackson and not costing any more than required without tapping the Reserve Fund during good economic times?

8)  Why did you mention defunding the Police, when there is nothing ever discussed about reducing the current amount of money being spent on Public Safety?  Public Safety is roughly 50% of the overall budget and of that 50% the vast majority is for the Police Department.  There has been no defunding of the Police in Jackson, but there has been a defunding of fixing streets.  JPD consistently receives annual increases in salaries and a good portion of the Capital spent each year.

Below is a benchmark of what increases civilian employees are receiving across the country. Are your proposed increases within these levels?

EMPLOYMENT COST INDEX – MARCH 2024 Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 1.2 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending in March 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Wages and salaries increased 1.1 percent and benefit costs increased 1.1 percent from December 2023. 

Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 4.2 percent for the 12-month period ending in March 2024 and increased 4.8 percent in March 2023. Wages and salaries increased 4.4 percent for the 12-month period ending in March 2024 and increased 5.0 percent for the 12-month period ending in March 2023. Benefit costs increased 3.7 percent over the year and increased 4.5 percent for the 12- month period ending in March 2023. 

*Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics