Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba issued the following statement.
The trends seen in the State Auditor’s analysis of Jackson’s audit are nothing new. In fact, these are trends that this administration has long since recognized and continues to address on a daily basis. Though we’ve never seen the State Auditor address the media regarding any other city’s audit, we appreciate that his ‘findings’ mirror what we’ve been saying for years.
The City’s finances were further stretched by the decision to hire Siemens Industry, Inc. That endeavor led directly to a water billing crisis that we are still recovering from. We were able to recoup some of the money from that contract, but as we’ve said before, it’s not enough. The Auditor’s analysis also does not take into account the $600 million in federal funds that Jackson was able to secure to address issues around the city’s water infrastructure.
Saving Jackson residents money while providing valuable services will always be our priority. We’ve aggressively fought against adding more financial strain on our residents even as we’ve watched the city’s expenses increase.
Sanitation is one of our city’s largest expenses which is why we’ve been so insistent on finding ways to keep our costs low. We appreciate the Auditor taking the time to review our finances. Though nothing new was uncovered, we understand that our city has a long way to go before we are financially sound.
31 comments:
Which services does your administration provide, is it clean water, dependable sewer, low crime rate, safe streets, dependable garbage collection?
Which valuable services are you providing? Asking for a friend.
It should not be a strain on the residents. I’m sure it is difficult to re-educate those who were taught to “do as little as possible so the government can take care of you”. You know, RE-teach them that hard work pays off. Going to school pays off. Learning about financing pays off. Instead of, well those people moved and now we just can’t have nice things. Sad deal, the City of Jackson and its leadership.
Narcissistic people start believing the lies they tell. There are zero valuable services. It’s just a shitty place to have to call a Capital City.
Yes Mayor Talk-A-Lot/Do-Nothing. The State Auditor did not discuss the federal bailout of the water system (or the state's rescue of it prior to the federal infusion of cash) BECAUSE all the Auditor was commenting on were the audits COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED BY THE CITY OF JACKSON in accordance with state statute.
The last audist completed for the City of Jackson was through FY 2021 - which is, October 2021.
None of those things you bitch about not being 'included in the State Ayditor's report (or those things that you don't bitch about not being included - the state and federal funds expended for the water system due to your failures) were done after the last completed audit.
Audits are to be completed within a few months of the end of the fiscal year; every since you were elected Mayor, the city of Jackson has not been able to provide a completed audit within two or more years of the end of the fiscal year.
And today is no exception; the latest audit available for the State Auditor to review was through September 2021; seventeen months ago. All the 'good things' you mention (the feds bailing you out) and the 'good things' you refuse to mention (the state bailing you out) occurred after that audit.
Problem is, the audit for FY 2022 is not going to be any better. You, your administraiton, and ergo YOUR FAMILY are all still a FAILURE.
“Sanitation is one of our city’s largest expenses which is why we’ve been so insistent on finding ways to keep our costs low”…..by letting our raw boo boo flow into a river that pollutes a third of our state.
There, finished it for you.
If only he responded to actual city problems as quickly as he does a press release from a republican.
No mention of racism? I'm shocked.
Lumumba is always so quick and available to respond but nowhere to be seen when it comes to actually solving Jackson's problems. If he is taking credit for securing the Federal funding then he's admitting to purposefully sabotaging efforts to effectively operate OBC.
Lumumba's only competentcy ... is being incompetent.
Those funds you obtained from the Federale, was that by taking Jackson to the brink of devastation? You are a real piece of shit.
@4:35….imagine me and you at a bar and you say that and I’m slapping you on the back laughing bbbbwwwwwaaaahhhhaaaaahhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! You KNOW you’re right since you covered all of the bases.
Response clearly written by communications director. What can you say when then the facts are the facts, and cannot be disputed? You acknowledge the issue, accept no responsibility or accountability for the etiology of the issue; and say you're working hard to address the problem. In the meantime, nothing gets done.
What a silky response. The dud's certainly got the silver-tongue.
(Yeah, I know it says 'dud' instead of dude. I started to correct it.. but if the shoe fits..)
Obfuscation and deceit are not noble attributes, even for a fake mayor. Of all his deplorable failings, the stench of raw sewer across Jackson, right now, and knowingly permitting 52M gallons of same into local creeks, thence into the Pearl River astounds the conscience.
Lil Choke has no leadership so hires other incompetents, then fails to pay contractors who may know their business sufficiently to have performed professionally but owing to non payment, avoid working for Jackson again.
This marxist madman needs to exit public service and write his manifesto.
" Response clearly written by communications director."
That's really not saying too much.
But whatever is written for Hizzhonor, Antar will always find a way to
appear as a goofy young man without a clue.
Right ?
Keep sucking that federal teat. What a miserable failure and massive incompetence that cannot simply run a city with positive cashflow.
“Though we’ve never seen the State Auditor address the media regarding any other city’s audit, ”
Deflect! Deflect!
This mayor should be in prison for what he's done to this city, and this state. He should be in prison for his glaringly obvious corruption.
Anna Wolfe, when are you going to report on this?
Never mind, we all know the answer. Hypocrite.
My take. Note the $70M in water and sewer revenue in 2017 and that’s after Siemens meters were installed. Then CAL entered the picture and now we’re at $33M for 2021. Incompetence in the Mayor’s Office and at the billing department.
And no CAL, garbage is less than the maintenance contract for sewer plants and probably 1/2 of what it will cost to operate water plants.
Third party guy says $50M will cover all costs if he pays off the debt. He’s living in lala land!!!
I used to spend A LOT of money in Jackson. I live in Madison, and I Never go into Jackson. I may “pas through” on my way to another location like the gulf coast.
Chokwe
You’re truly a moron.
Call Snake Plissken.
LOL remember a few weeks ago when he was acting like he was all chummy with the auditor after he whined to him about attorney fees?
Wow lets hope Shad can at least tackle the books and stop the foolishness...
my family owned an auto repair shop and could not get paid with a PO number from the city in a timely matter .. this was 15 years ago
@9:47pm Hmmmm, maybe the HB#1020 was a precursor to allow Shad time to bring the goods to a reliable judge and blowing the whole thing up. It could work.
At least Lyin' Lumumba's lies are consistent.
This clown knows by repeating "600 Million" that he can convince his "supporters" to give him credit... Media happy not to call him out.
He actually will have NO CONTROL over how all this money is spent. It all goes through Corp. of Engineers and then to the Court b/c even Benny doesn't trust this bozo not to completely F up everything he touches.
@7:58 AM - Or Lyin' Lumumba consistently lies.
Sanitation is one of our city’s largest expenses which is why we’ve been so insistent on finding ways to keep our costs low.
The cost is low because you have done nothing!!!!
2022 was not a year he reviewed, dumbass!!!
plus water ZAR said he still has not received the money!!! pipe dream??
To the Residents of West and South Jackson,
Why do you keep electing this terrible incompetent lying man as Mayor? Please let us all know.
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