Council Gives Final Approval to 2025-2026 Budget

After several meetings and much discussion, the Jackson City Council approved the proposed spending plan for the coming year during a special meeting on June 26.

Mayor Laura Thomas presented the budget, which received its first reading on June 20, to the Council and made a few brief statements.

“We have gone over this budget,” she said.  “We have hopefully answered your questions.”

With little or no discussion, the Council unanimously approved a motion by Kenneth Partick, seconded by Renee Haddix, to approve the budget.

Under the approved budget, the City of Jackson anticipated $3.8 million in revenue, with Occupational Taxes expected to bring in $1,072,000 and Insurance Premiums Tax collecting $420,000.  The city also anticipates a carryover from 2024-2025 of $740,707.

The Council’s budget included expenditures of $3,873,945.  The same ordinance also approved the Jackson Water and Sewer Department budgets.  The approved costs included $1.6 million for the water department operations and $702,300 for the Sewer Department.  

Following the budget's passage, the Council reviewed and approved the final budget amendments to close out the 2024-2025 Budget with an estimated revenue of $6,412,526.  

Mayor Thomas said the budget was amended to reflect unanticipated grants and other income.  She reminded the council members that the city must, by law, end its year with a balanced budget. 

The motion to amend the budget was made by Tommy Noble and seconded by Debbie Miller.  The motion was unanimously approved.

After completing the items on the agenda, Virginia Meagher asked a question about the budget.  Meagher asked if the Council was moving forward with the plan to continue the reduction of taxes, including the occupational tax.  Mayor Thoams reminded her that the Council could not discuss anything not listed on the published agenda.

Meagher asked about the sidewalk project and questioned if there was money in the budget for sidewalk projects.  The Council listened as Thomas provided some information about the budget and the proposed Washington Avenue project, but noted that the Council could take no action.  Mayor Thomas also said the budget had “funds with some flexibility” that the Council may use for any project they choose in the coming year. 

With all Council members present, the eighteen-minute meeting was limited to the two items on the published agenda, and no other action was taken.