Monday, May 8, 2023

Auditing Jackson's Audits

State Auditor Shad White issued the following statement and report. 

Today State Auditor Shad White’s office released an analysis of the audits of the City of Jackson from the last two decades. The analysis shows a concerning financial situation for the city and its residents. “While my office is legally prohibited from auditing cities, cities like Jackson are audited by private CPA firms,” said State Auditor Shad White. “We can, however, analyze the results of city audits. Our analysis of Jackson’s audits shows serious and fundamental financial issues that have to be straightened out. Every concerned taxpayer should be reading this report.”

The analysis highlights key problems, such as:

• Despite a population loss since 2003, Jackson’s revenue continues to increase.

• Continued revenue increases are being outpaced by expenses.

• The city’s largest source of revenue, property taxes, is being paid by fewer individuals.



• There has been an explosion of unpaid water bills. The city’s accounting treats many of these bills as if they will never be paid.

• The city is not collecting all its water bills, and if it does not collect water bills, it does not have revenue to fund day-to-day operations.

• The General Fund and Siemen’s settlement dollars are footing the bill to keep the water system functioning.

• There are has been a large increase in water connections added by the city despite population loss.

“Jackson is our state’s capital, and we cannot have a strong state without a strong capital,” said Auditor White. “Cities in other Southern states, like Atlanta in Georgia or Birmingham in Alabama, are growing fast and fueling the economies of their states. Jackson can generate growth for Mississippi, but not until it gets its fiscal house in order.”



31 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's impossible to audit the City of Jackson; more $ is off the books than on them.

Anonymous said...

Yep- NE Jackson property owners are pulling the wagon- -always have, always will.

Anonymous said...

Don't disagree with Shad's comments, but likely much easier and welcomed to relocate the State Capitol than it is to improve Jackson.

Anonymous said...

You Jackson people each have $429,000 of debt--cough it up

Anonymous said...

Jackson-

Home of the water and sewer bill grifters.

Anonymous said...

Is it common for a State Auditor to not be able to audit a city? Who is responsible for criminal prosecution when a city has illegal things going on?
Just asking, because I didn't know that.

Anonymous said...

How have revenues gone up but services keep getting worse?

Anonymous said...

You are such an idiot. Did Phil ask you to help out Tater Tot?
Why don’t you see if you can find your mentor’s missing texts?? You’re pathetic.

Anonymous said...

Math is racist.

Anonymous said...

Remember folks, your mayor farmed out $30million to an out of state law firm for the Siemens "Settlement". That's $30mil that could help the City of Jackson fix it's issues. $30mil is real money. They could have gotten it done a lot cheaper and kept it local with some of the legal community from around the Metro area. That means some may not come back to him as campaign donations, but the City would have a lot more to play with. It was a pretty slam dunk cut and dry suit.

Anonymous said...

Auditor White better hope the City of Jackson doesn't hire all the same lawyers that Former Auditor Phil says approved the TANF funded Volleyball Farve Mahal.

Follow the Money to Detroit said...

@3:00 PM - The $30,000,000 went to a Detroit law firm. All road$ out of Jacki$tan lead to Detroit.

Anonymous said...

and sewage is still flowing into the Pearl!!!

Anonymous said...

I hate to tell him that the capitol of Alabama is Montgomery and not Birmingham.

Anonymous said...

Just move the capital city. Easier and safer for everyone involved.

Anonymous said...

2:53…Accusing someone of deflecting while deflecting…far out.

Anonymous said...

I already knew this; I've been reading this on this blog for several years.

Anonymous said...

What good is an audit or an analysis of an audit if nothing can be done about the problems?

3:00, interesting point. Everything else has to be kept local, but apparently not the law firms when big money is involved.

Anonymous said...

Could we get the Auditor to provide a report on Jackson's criminal polluting of the Pearl River?

Anonymous said...

No, 30 million went to law firm in Atlanta that had bought mayor's house in foreclosure. He bought the house (on gated street off Ridgewood) from the Atlanta law firm, for a reduced price.

Anonymous said...

3:48 Too big a read for you?

He said "CITIES in other Southern states, not "CAPITOLS in other Southern states."

Anonymous said...

Now do PRVWSD

Anonymous said...

“ Every concerned taxpayer should be reading this report.”

Taxpayer here. I could care less

Anonymous said...

@3:48 go back and read. He never said Birmingham is the capital of Alabama.

Also, you stated that Montgomery is the capitol of Alabama. That is incorrect. Montgomery is the capital of Alabama.

Anonymous said...

Did he find anything illegal, are they just that smart or is this a political tag along for White?

Anonymous said...

Between Antar City, Credell County and Toni Johnson Election Commissioner, just hoe much money is really missing.

Anonymous said...

Shad provides the metrics to further analyze the looming insolvency of Jackson. The Governor and Legislature need to decide whether it's more appropriate to let Jackson to totally fail or take over now. Either option will be labeled "racist".

Bill Dees said...

WOW!!! Astonishing findings Here are 4 more bombshell revelations from Shad's report:

1) Water is wet.
2) It's dark at night.
3) The Pope is Catholic.
4) Bears do, indeed, poop in the woods.

Now, Shad go do your job and stop campaigning with taxpayer money.

Anonymous said...

All water systems make a good profit except Jackson. What is going on in Jackson is criminal.

Anonymous said...

What's the problem Dees, don't want anyone calling out your buddy"s shortcomings?

Bill Dees said...

@7:26 PM: I'm no fan of the idiot "Emperor of the New Republic of Africa". He's in this job WAY over his head. At the same time, I don't want Shad politicking with my tax dollars. Shad has zero authority to report on city audits. And did Shad review the audits of any other municipality? Nope - I checked.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.