Jackson Mayor John Horhn issued the following statement.
Mayor John Horhn and the City of Jackson today expressed disappointment following the Mississippi Legislature’s passage of legislation creating a Jackson Water Authority, noting that the final bill does not give Jackson a majority-appointed governing board over assets the City owns and for which it continues to bear substantial financial risk. The City appreciates the work that went into reaching this point, but believes governance and responsibility should be aligned.
The final legislation still leaves important questions unanswered about accountability, debt service, and long-term management of the system. The City remains concerned that if the Authority and the Mayor or City Council do not agree, the bill does not clearly establish how major decisions will be made or who will bear responsibility if the Authority cannot generate enough revenue to meet its obligations.
The legislation does include provisions for independent rate studies every two years, a bill dispute process, and a structure for future rate action, but serious concerns remain about whether those provisions fully address the ongoing issues of rising rates, low collection of past-due bills, and the Authority’s ability to sustain operations without creating new burdens for Jackson residents.
The City also remains concerned that municipal customers such as Byram and Ridgeland would have representation on the board while not carrying the same responsibility for the debt and financial risks tied to the system. That imbalance is a central reason the City had urged a board structure that gave Jackson a majority role in appointing members.
While others have celebrated the defeat of a Jackson-controlled water authority, the City’s focus remains on finding real answers for governance, service, collections, and debt responsibility.
“Jackson should not be asked to carry the greatest risk without having the authority to govern the assets it owns,” Mayor Horhn said. “We will continue working with our city leaders, state and federal officials, and other partners toward a solution that is fair, workable, and centered on accountability. Jackson should be able to govern its own resources.”
Kingfish note: Don't think the legislature didn't notice the Mayor and City Council's strong opposition to a rate increase or the bitching about cutoffs.
54 comments:
Mayor said he will work with officials toward a solution that is fair! Why would officials not present a fair solution? Probably it’s more than a solution to solving water problems it’s about who controls the contracts and I wanna be solely in charge. Never ending money and power grab.
They don't know how to govern assets.
Mayor still fussing about raise.
Free the water!
Name one major decision that Mayor Horhn has made where Mayor Lumumba would not have made the same decision. Horhn billed himself as different than his incompetent predecessors but is says and does the same things.
Somebody needs to inform the Mayor what an asset is because the Jackson water system isn't a real asset for at least 20 more years and that's even if things go well.
Sorry City was given a chance and fumbled badly, No Boil water alerts in months (they were weekly under Jackson management)
The City gotsta make all the payments to own the assets, and the only way to do that is to keep the water system's assets properly maintained and operational to generate the revenues to make the bond payments.
Jackson's poor track record on these items is why we are where we are.
State to Jackson: You can't manage a water system. Jackson: Hold my beer
@3:42 PM Did you not see the interview Hohrn gave to WLBT in April '24? Horn has exactly the same political ideology as Chokwe. Jackson will continue to die while the suburbs flourish.
You guys voted Lumumba back in office. It just took a minute for him to appear. Good luck with all of that.
Am I wrong in my understanding that the water authority would take over the $120 million debt, so that it would no longer by the city's responsibility?
Neither the city council nor the mayor will be able to do the usual contract $teering to their friend$ and relative$. But they won't have to frequently wash that grease off their hands. So sad.
New mayor, same as old mayor but with a different hairdo.
It's all about whitey telling us what to do. That's what the COJ doesn't like. Well, when you can't do something, telling you what to do is what happens.
>That imbalance is a central reason the City had urged a board structure that gave Jackson a majority role in appointing members.
Get fucked Chokwe "John Horhn" Lumumba III. Signed a Ridgelandian.
"The City appreciates the work that went into reaching this point, but believes governance and responsibility should be aligned."
Ahem...cough, cough...Governance and responsibility have been aligned for the past 50 years. The Lumumba regime enjoyed eight years of Governance and Responsibility.
Is the Honorable current Mayor of Jackson recommending more 'alignment' of the same?
Exactly
>The final legislation still leaves important questions unanswered about accountability, debt service, and long-term management of the system. The City remains concerned that if the Authority and the Mayor or City Council do not agree, the bill does not clearly establish how major decisions will be made or who will bear responsibility if the Authority cannot generate enough revenue to meet its obligations.
Is he actually this stupid or is he pretending? The answer of course is it lies with the Authority.
Sorry Mayor, the legislature gave you more than the city should have gotten. Its not a question of what "you" and the council think is 'fair' for yall, its what is fair for the users and ratepayers of the system.
Taking one of the Governor's appointments and requiring that he consult with you prior to making that appointment was a showing of weak knees on the part of Rep Yates - who after all her efforts to do good for Jackson finally threw in the towel in order to satisfy your excessive demands.
Frankly, you ought to be happy with what came out of the legislature - it took this elephant off your table and gave it to someone else to manage. Thankfully so because it appears you are having trouble managing those problems that remain on your desk - following the disaster that Chockwe left you.
Yates said the governor only has to consult the mayor. He doesn't have to
go along with mayor choice.
Mayor is just wanting to get into the “New Doctor’s “ panties.
True dat.
Exactly.
Jackson and its leaders have shown, time and again, they are not able to govern their own utilities. Even a simple garbage contract became a 2 year ordeal, and keep in mind that's something that other city boards do in one meeting. The water situation is not going to get any better left in Jackson's hands, so this was a huge positive step.
now for the airport authority
Where are all of the Horhn fans? Did y'all really believe that he would be an improvement over Chowke? This guy is just better at his grifting.
I don't remember hearing any of the Jackson brain trust actually expressing appreciation for fixing the water and sewage systems, and on someone else's dime at that. Maybe I missed it.
He wants what’s fair? Democrats like to “follow the science” right and govern based on observed outcomes? In that case Jackson should lose all self determination and turn over LE, fire, education, maintenance, and all other government functions to the state. Jackson got their equity and equality and demonstrated with their actions that it was foolish to entrust the population with further control.
"Jackson should be able to govern its own resources.”"
They have already proven they are not capable of doing this. Next!
I don't know why no one sees that Horhn is playing both sides of the aisle. That pertains to the water sytem, the zoo, etc. If you don't think that he's not been speaking to the members through this entire ordeal, you're high and I know better.
These guys attack each other's credibility on the floor in front of the livestream, vote by party lines and then walk out of the chamber smiling on their way to have a drink while shaking hands and patting one another on the back.
That didn't die when he took the mayor's office. Those relationships are there and stronger than ever. He can't fully agree with what he knows is best for the city. It's bad press. Do I think he wants his shot to run a whole city including the water and sewer? Of course. He wants to be successful, but the city cannot shoulder the cost unless something drastically changes (like improvements in Jackson over time, excessive and ever-increasing taxes and costs to live in Madison and Rankin County, and the potential allure of a more affordable living situation for people here in the city). Any of these things are possible. Remember. The growth in population this last year was incredibily modest, but it was not loss. You'd be surprised what can happen in a decade. Younger people are chomping at the bit to revive these old houses and I'm seeing it everywhere around me in Fondren. They don't stay on the market long.
You post your horror stories and the echo of "Jackson is lost, get out while you can". To where? Those shithole counties? There are more and more problems every year and people live house-poor. The pendulum of humanity is constanly in swing. If you're discounting a rebound in Jackson over time, you're an idiot. I'm telling you. From right here in the middle of it.
State to Jackson: Hell naw, you can hold my pocket
To Jackson folk screaming for equity and dignity, step up to the plate and pay your water bill, like most grown folks everywhere else do. You will then be participating and holding your head high with dignity! I know you can do it Jackson, quit being always offended and never responsible for your decisions.
Jackson cannot run water without federal money. They can’t control crime without state money. Roads are broken, airport is a mess, libraries molded and closed, zoo needs to be closed ASAP, no code enforcement, no animal control. I need to look up the last audit.
It’s a 3rd world country. I still want to know where all the Siemens $ went?
Up until his wlbt interview.
The same City that can run the water is the same City that can pick up the trash on I-55 North between St Dom and County Line?
Without relying on volunteers to do what should be a municipal responsibility? No much as a thanks to those nice volunteers.
Any thanks for that federal water grant? The City can pay that back and be back on their own. Cut the check.
Me: Mayor, would you like the water/sewer system back?
Mayor: Yes we would. It's ours.
Me: Great, you can have it back. Jackson will need to immediately repay the $700 million in taxpayer money you were gifted.
Mayor: We don't have the money to do that.
Me: Then say "thank you" and shut the f*ck up.
If you gave the mayor and each council member a successful 8-Figure a year business for them to run, how many out of ten would still be profitable or even running in 5 or 10 years? The bulk of city leaders are mid-level management types at best. Process people not doers. The State should also require a forensic audit and inventory/asset inspection. The list of things being run and maintained well would be a short one.
"If you're discounting a rebound in Jackson over time, you're an idiot."
What's your definition of 'over time'? The pendulum swung to the left (and got stuck there), 35 years ago.
If, in your post, you exchange the words 'counting on' for your 'discounting', you won't sound so much like an idiot.
I worked with a lot of mid-level managers and you just insulted them all.
The “responsibility” part is why this is happening. :facepalm
Free the airport
Remember. The growth in population this last year was incredibily modest, but it was not loss.
There was no population growth in Jackson last year. It was loss.
There is no fucking rebound. My wife and I left Northeast Jackson in 2020 and it hasn't gotten better when we drive through. NE Jackson will be the next South Jackson if nothing changes soon.
He became mayor because he thought that the grifting rewards would be more lucrative than when he enjoyed as a senator.
@9:03pm Horhn has sang those volunteer's praises over and over and over again. You are just plain wrong.
Everyone (and it looks mostly like people who don't even live in Jackson) saying that Horhn isn't a significant improvement over multiple prior administrations are being purposefully obtuse. He's simply is being a political advocate for his city (even though he knows it's a losing battle) as he should be, just like y'alls mayors would be in the same situation. Except you're focused on banning books and making sure everything is brick.
3:42. Hohrn has not fired multiple city engineers who knew where money went. Hohrn hasn't tried this bs:
"Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba laid blame on understaffing at the water treatment plants and a “set of accumulated problems based on deferred maintenance that has not taken place over decades.”
Watch what they do, not what they say.
One more statement like this and Kenny Stokes will again become the JJ front runner to become the next mayor.
The difference between us and you is that our police, judges and DAs convict and hold accountable those that commit crimes. Not to mention haven't had our water wrested control away from, pave roads and have businesses.
Sigh...we will pay for independent rate studies.
In time, every water system ages. Well water is cheaper now but , like in many states, will become contaminated when the well water source becomes contaminated as it has in many rural areas in other states.
Start with googling " How much does it cost to shut down a contaminated well?" and " how large an area can be damaged when a well is contaminated?" A friend with a small family farm in another state had to do that so no BS. My friend wasn't farming so his would be a smaller problem than one whose livelihood depended or watering crops or livestock.
Oooops, how we gonna pay the new PC NOW ? lol .....
What you see is what you get--
PS Close the zoo, Mayor
The Horhn bashers here are so stupid and naive. There is no comparing him to his predecessor but the electorate hasn’t changed much. If voters perceive that this water authority means the city will never control billing, he has no choice but to oppose it regardless of what he perceives to be the reality of the situation. He has already admitted that Jackson will never operate the system again. That’s a world of difference. Not to mention the fact that he is actually showing up to work and rebuilding a decimated municipal government. Just take your wins like adults and get back to selling those overbuilt subdivisions.
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