Jackson Jambalaya

$4 million budget deficit? No problem. Let's give everyone a raise.  Hinds County Supervisor Kenneth Stokes tried to do just that last Monday.  The Board of Supervisors rejected his motion to increase the minimum wage for all county employees to $10.10/hour on a 3-2 vote.   Mr. Stokes accused the other supervisors of being "Republicans" when Supervisor Greer pointed out the $4 million deficit.





Mr. Stokes claimed there was one fund with an ending balance that could cover the proposed raise. He said it would only cost the county slightly more than $60,000.  He said the budget could be revised during the fiscal year.  Mr. Greer pointed out the county was facing a $4 million deficit in the upcoming fiscal year. He also said Mr. Stokes was trying to pay for a recurring expense with "one-time money".  Mr. Graham said there should be no question of approving the raise when the county spent "$700,000 on a roof and $10,000 on livestock."   Mr. Stokes said he was calling a "spade a spade and we got the money".  He said Republicans didn't want to pay the employees. He said those opposed to the raise were playing a "shell game with the money".

Kingfish note: Ironic Mr. Graham should point out expenses, since he blew millions on Airwave contracts, financial advisors, and other sweetheart deals.  As for Mr. Stokes, how does one reason with someone who does not understand math?  See Supervisor Greer at 8:50 in the video.