Council Approves Revised Budget, Land Transfer

With all members present, the Jackson City Council met in special session on Thursday, July 9, with six items slated for discussion and possible action.

The council members unanimously approved the first reading of the revised 2025-2026 Budget for the City of Jackson as required by Kentucky law.

Mayor Laura Thomas presented the revised budget and told the council that the final document indicated an increase in revenues and pass-through funds.

“We have quite a bit of additional revenue,” Thomas said, identifying an uptick in both income from employment taxes and grants.  She said the revised numbers reflected more than a million dollars the city had received through state and federal grants assigned to specific (often flood-related) projects.

“We had more revenue than expenditures,” she told the council.

The council reviewed the proposed budget after it was presented and approved the measure.  A second reading is required for final passage.

On a motion by Tommy Noble, seconded by Steve McIntosh, the council approved for Mayor Thomas to transfer the property on Highland Avenue at the proposed site of the Turner Court project from the city to the Housing Development Alliance.

Thomas told the council that the transfer was required before construction on the six new homes at the former site of the Turner Home.

In other actions, the council accepted funds from the Kentucky Department of Transportation to pave Elm Street as part of the state’s Local Area Road Program.

The council approved adopting the Statewide Emergency Management Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement to allow state resources to be shared with or by the city during emergencies.

The council also approved the payment of $19,045.40 for new water meters, funded by excess funds from the Russell Branch waterline extensions.

The twenty-six-minute meeting adjourned after a short discussion of city water issues, but no action was taken due to the limited agenda of the special-called meeting.

Thomas reminded residents that Jackson City Council meetings are open to the public and held on the third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.