The Mississippi legislature is taking up the matter of who should run Jackson's water/sewer system yet again. The House of Representatives passed HB #1677 last week. The Jackson City Council is holding a public hearing on the bill right now as it seeks public comments. Watch the live-stream
State Representative Shanda Yates (I - The Rogue) authored the bill. The bill is 133 pages long. It is a bit much to expect readers to peruse the entire bill so JJ read it for you. Posted below are highlights of the bill as well as some color commentary.
* The bill creates the Metro Jackson Water Authority. The Authority covers all areas receiving water or sewer service from the city of Jackson.
* Assets. The bill allows the Authority to lease water and sewer assets from the city. However, the bill does not place a limit on what is paid the city for the lease. Should there be a nominal amount, $10 or so, or should the city be allowed to charge a substantial sum in the lease?
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* The Board. A nine-member Board of Directors will govern the authority. The composition of the Board is probably the biggest bone of contention about HB #1677. The Board members are:
- Mayor of Jackson
- Two members at large (appointed by Jackson Mayor)
- Member at large (nominated by Ridgeland, confirmed by City Council)
- Member at large (nominated by Byram, confirmed by City Council)
- Two members at large (appointed by Governor)
- Member at large (appointed by Lieutenant Governor)
- President of Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce of his representative.
(9) The authority shall enter into contracts for major procurements after bidding. The authority may adopt administrative rules and regulations pursuant to the provisions of this act providing for special procedures whereby the authority may make any class of procurement. (10) In its bidding processes, the authority may do its own bidding and procurement or may utilize the services of the Department of Finance and Administration, the Department of Information Technology Services or other state agencies as appropriate and necessary.
The bill should mandate the Authority follow state purchasing laws and bidding procedures. Period. Authority contracts are not subject to the jurisdiction of the Contract Review Board. That is probably a good thing as losing competitors often get work delayed by appealing contract awards to the Board.
* Uncollectibles. The bill allows the Authority to
784 write off revenues deemed uncollectible that were billed to customers prior to January 1, 2026, and further write off revenues deemed uncollectible after the third year of collection efforts as a regular accounting practice of the authority.
JXN Water does not collect water bills that were uncollectible before it took over in November 2022. Is this provision fair to the people who have been paying their bills since JXN Water assumed control?
16 comments:
Letting the Mayor effectively control rate increases is preposterous. Play stupid legislative games, win stupid prizes. Horhn is just another self aggrandizing politician.
Everyone makes it sound so easy to collect from those who aren't paying. So easy but Henifin can't get it done? Bullshit.
This mayor term will be almost up when Jxn Water leaves.
This ought to seal the fate of Jackson, everybody else going to pay for mismanagement and grift.
I heard Bill said city gets it back after debt is paid off.
What happens to Doj case with city?
Delay and postpone until Gavin and AOC take the White House House and their DoJ drops the charges
After Sister R becomes major Jackson the city can hold some struggle sessions and just secede from the deal.
I can't believe i live in a city where it has come to this. Straight up third world shit. Actually, I can believe it.
[1] They're solving the collections problem by writing off the pre Jan 1, 2026 balances. So to everyone who has been faithfully paying their bills all this time you will receive a middle finger and a big f*&k you.
[2] They shift ~$200 million in debt from Jackson to the water authority.
[3] They are setting up a process where raising rates is going to be extremely difficult and as politically unpopular as it is now and maybe even more so.
How do you think that will work out?
Where's Rukia?
Atty Martin alludes during the Q&A that the refi'd debt should cost less to service. He has no idea whatsoever what rates will be in the future.
Get the hell out of Jackson/Byram/Ridgeland or any other areas served by this future water authority while you can!
They
They can't write off anything as long as
Jxn Water is in charge.
He can say whatever he wants.
Bond rates don't get set by fools.
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