The June City Council meeting saw the Jackson City Council wrestling with what would be done with Jackson’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, when their monthly meeting was held at Jackson City Hall, Tuesday.
“This meeting saw one of the lengthiest round of public comments that we’ve had,” said Russ McKelvey, who represents District 8. “No one spoke to any of the proposed ideas of increasing revenues that had been previously discussed.
“Rather, we heard from a number of nonprofit organizations that feared loss of City funding based on Council’s previous conversations.”
McKelvey said several gave a passionate overview of the work they provide the community.
“The Jackson Symphony, both respective Chambers of Commerce, Aspell Recovery Center, Tennessee River Basin Authority, The STAR Center, and others made their case for why the City’s funding through its annual budget was so important,” McKelvey said. “Once Council members entered the business of voting on the Budget Ordinance, a motion and second were quickly made for the proposed budget that kept current tax rates and fees where they’ve been without addressing capital needs.”
McKelvey said the Budget Committee, spoken for by Councilmember Frank McMeen – District 5 -recommended to pull approximately $550k from the General Fund’s balance to cover minimal needs for Fire and Police capital needs.
“Both respective Chiefs (Thom Corley, JPD, Don Friddle, JFD) weighed in that they would do their best with less capital fulfillment yet acknowledged it wasn’t ideal,” McKelvey said. “Several amendments or ideas of amendments created some chaotic moments.
“Thoughts, opinions, and feelings flowed without Council coming to a conclusion.”
McKelvey said eventually, a motion was made to table current conversation and motions.
“Amending members conceded and we returned to square one,” McKelvey said. “After a brief refresh of the basics of the ordinance, Council members resumed discussion.
“It was amended that all of the capital needs would be funded while pulling money from the fund balance, reducing the General Fund to approximately $15 million and right around the 15% danger zone of balance to budget that the Comptroller recommends as an absolute minimum.”
The budget passed.
“Prior to the conclusion of the vote, Council made plans to revisit revenues and to better evaluate capital needs,” McKelvey said. “The budget still requires a second vote to be passed into law. Tweaks are still possible and revenue discussion will be ongoing.”
(PHOTO: Russ McKelvey)
