Ridgeland said HB #1677 is a good start but there need to be some changes.
The bill will transfer control of Jackson's water/sewer system to a Metro Jackson Water Authority. A nine-member Board of Directors will govern the Authority. The bill passed the House of Representatives last week.
The city of Ridgeland's leaders looked at the bill and suggesting eight amendments. The biggest bone of contention for Ridgeland is the city's representation on the Board.
The bill states Jackson will have three seats on the board, the Mayor and two representatives approved by the City Council. The cities of Byram and Ridgeland are each allowed to nominate a representative but nominees must be approved by the Jackson City Council.
This little proviso did not sit too well with either burb. Byram Mayor Richard White said yesterday the legislature should remove the Jackson City Council approval requirement for Byram. Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGhee wholeheartedly agreed. The first amendment on Ridgeland's list is one that will remove the City Council requirement.
Ridgeland also wants to require the Authority to follow public purchasing and bidding laws. The Authority doesn't have to follow such statutes in the bill.
The city also wants to retain control of sewer rates. The bill gives the Authority the authority to adjust water and sewer rates. Ridgeland wants sole authority to raise sewer rates for its customers. (KF: Sorry, but everyone should pay the same rate if a part of the system.).
The amendments are posted below.
7 comments:
If the authority can raise rates why is Jxn against Jxn Water raise?
Why is Jxn whining about Jxn Water and bidding?
Is there a reason the authority would be set up where it doesn’t have to follow the state bidding and purchasing laws?
Jackson mayor involved in that.
From the bill:
One member-at-large, living or working in the service area, to be recommended by the mayor of the City of Byram, appointed by the mayor of Jackson, and confirmed by the Jackson City Council
One member-at-large, living or working in the service area, to be recommended by the mayor of the City of Ridgeland, appointed by the mayor of Jackson, and confirmed by the Jackson City Council
So Byram and Ridgeland can only “recommend” the member but then has to be appointed by the Mayor??? What role does the Mayor play exactly for the Byram and Ridgeland “recommendations”? Seems to me the Mayor could say to Byram and Ridgeland nope I don’t like your recommendation, I’m appointing this person instead.
I live in Ridgeland and do not want to be partners with the City of Jackson in any way. Like saving a drowning person and getting pulled under!
So now both Walter Michel and David Blount have to decide if they want to knife constituents in the back.
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