0:02 Okay, we have a quorum we will get started with this special council meeting today is September 25th 2026 and is 1017 a.m. The first agenda item Order revising municipal budget fiscal year 2025 2026 So moved second it's been moved and properly second We're gonna have an introduction to this item Sir, anyone? Jillian Caldwell, CFO. The Department of Administration requests the approval of an interdepartmental transfer of $29,966,223. And this is from numerous categories within various departments as laid out within the order. This is to make the final amendments to our current FY26 municipal budget.

1:09 Okay now does this standard transfer or okay yeah it is standard councilman foot okay I appreciate the paperwork we've been given here it's pretty extensive and twenty nine million dollars is a lot of money for the city of Jackson as you well know the so I think it's important that that we discuss in some details else for the viewing audience some of the things that are being moved and, you know, why they need to be transferred from particular areas. There's a table here that begins at the bottom of page one which talks about department and budget category and then debit and credit.

1:59 So the debit and credit terms for each column, which goes on for several pages, the debit wouldn't, am I correct in thinking that the debit would mean money coming out of, and credit would, or maybe credit means money coming out of? Yes. So credit means you're taking the money away from a particular department and a particular line item in that department. And then the debit would mean you're putting the money, it's being transferred, that's where it's being transferred to. To, yeah. Okay, so just as an example, make sure I understand this.

2:41 I'm gonna jump, I've circled a number of things here. So over here on police department on page, this is three pages or two pages later on the third page, It's got police department personnel services in the credit line, $2,220,648. That means that there was funds, additional funds still available in the police department that you could take from that line item to go to someplace else. Yes, sir. Okay. down to Public Works, it's got in that same credit line, it's got $3 million, $200,000 that was payroll that was available because he had not had sufficient employees or whatever.

3:35 Okay, and then I'm trying to think here of a big one on that. Then over here you've got on General Government. Well, then most of these I've circled, talked about so far, are personnel services, so it's payroll. General government is this the category is operating transfers and you've got three million seven hundred thousand dollars can you explain what the operating transfers What what with that why that money was still there it was I mean what what is the operating transfers? That was um set aside. We talked a little bit about it during our budget deliberations It was money that was transferred to some outside funds that are no longer needed in those outside funds.

4:22 Okay, so it was available? Yes. Okay. All right. So those are the on the credit side and some good examples on the, for instance, over here, if you turn to, I'm just trying to make sure that if the people are watching this, they understand what's going on here. on here. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, I guess page seven. They've got, um, this on the, this and this is on the the debit side. So we've got landfill sanitation, $400,000. So that's money being transferred into landfill sanitation. Yes. And then employee group insurance fund 400, excuse me, this is four million dollars. So there's four million dollars being transferred into the employee group insurance fund. Is this because we did not pay enough into the insurance? Was the insurance cost higher than we expected? Is that what what that's going on there? Yes and we were actually moving it. Oh yeah So this was because insurance was hired and expect okay. All right, mr. Foote Man, I asked a quick question. Oh sure. I mean if you got okay, I'll stop and no just one quick question

5:48 Miss Carwell, how does this deviate from what we have already approved? I Mean we went through and made amendments and everything and so now we're looking at this. So What has changed? So Let's make sure we're clear The budget that we just approved that's for fy 27 That's next year's budget that starts next week October 1st, right? These changes have no effect on that budget Okay, these are these are changes to our fy 26 budget the budget that ends September 30th Okay, let me follow up a couple more questions here. If you turn the page, okay I'm talking about the table here we're dealing with.

6:35 One, two, three, four, five, six. You turn the page six, and there's a lot of credit, excuse me, not credit, debits here, where the money's going into for this budget that's getting ready to close out. So there's money coming into franchise cable television, $500,000. Would that suggest that we didn't collect as much? Okay, so when you get to the revenues, the function of the debit and credit reverses. So when you're looking at a debit for revenue, that's actually a decrease in the revenues. So we were decreasing that line by 500,000.

7:21 Okay. So the franchise cable television, we didn't get as much because people are streaming rather than using cable. So our revenue decline in franchise cable television by $500,000. So we had to put that in there because it was a shortfall of what we expected. Okay. All right, I'll leave it. Let me some other questions. Councilman Pargasson. Thank you. Three I think main questions or points. First is it safe to say that this is a routine closeout item that occurs annually. At this point, we have mere days left in the fiscal year.

8:03 So we have a clear understanding. I mean, it's not like we're going to get a $3 million bill out of the blue tomorrow that we're not expecting. So essentially, in the final days of the fiscal year, it's routine for us to come together. And at this point, we know how much revenues we've collected. We know how much expenditures we've spent. And this roughly just gets us to reflect the actuals that we've seen by and large. Is that a helpful way for us to understand what we're taking, the action we're taking today?

8:34 Okay, the second point I wanna make is, we mentioned a lot of these revenues are down, we've had to revise them downwards. You've mentioned that this item that we're doing today is separate than the budget conversation that we've already passed. My question is, did we use this knowledge when we set the next budget? In other words, next year we probably won't be revising franchise cable television down half million dollars. So I think that's another the first point I want to make is this is a routine closeout of this current year. Second point I want to make is although the item that we're voting on today has zero to do with our next budget, we used the knowledge that we were accumulating over the past several months to hopefully make sure we'll always have to do this again but it won't be to quite the degree. It's a standard thing we'll do annually but It won't be quite that much.

9:30 And the third point that I'll make is we have already committed to having monthly finance committee meetings starting after we get the October actuals and every month thereafter. So we can be monitoring this along the way and we might not have to do as drastic of a cleanup at the end of the year because we'll be monitoring it throughout the year. Is that a good way to be thinking about this? Yes, sir. Thank you. That was perfectly laid out. Okay, and Mr. Davidson. Thank you, Peter Davidson, the CAO, Councilman Parkinson, I wanted to reassure you that you're down the right path.

10:07 I've done 17 local government budgets in my career. All 17 of them have had a year in revision, whether they've been at the city or the county. So this is indeed routine. I would expect every local government in the state of Mississippi, unless you're really tiny, to have some sort of end of the year adjustment. So that is completely routine. You're doing exactly what you're supposed to do as required by law. Throughout the year, we manage the money, as y'all know, so that we add additional money in some places to balance out here at the end of the year.

10:43 And you're absolutely right, Councilman Parkinson, next year, you'll have a revision, but it should be a much smaller revision because you'll actually be going along in real time in FY27. Thank you, Councilman Hurley. Yes, sir. One quick question. Any updates on our audit? Yes. So we virtually met with them this morning to discuss items that they were still looking for. And I've reached out to several other departments that that's in reference to. Also, they had several new items that they're just asking for. So we will be working through the weekend and next week to get those items to them to close out.

11:32 Is there any projected date for completion? We were working to have all audit requests completed by next week. From there, they will have to finish their review. That may take a couple of weeks and then we'll start working putting the book together. Thank you, Councilman Furt. Thank you, Mr. President. And I appreciate Councilman Parkinson's comments. It is a routine thing to go through, but $29 million is not a routine number. And so it's important that we learn and we share with the public that some of the nuts and bolts of this, so they hopefully will feel more confident that we're in control of this.

12:22 So I'd like a couple more questions I'd like to ask just to sort of make sure that I understand some of the big numbers here. There's one on page, I believe it's page six, under planning and development, it's got transfers, operating transfers of $4 million. So I'm not sure, can you give me what operating transfers means? And this was on the debit side, not on the credit side. Is this money coming into planning or going out of plan? That's going into planning and that's for balancing J-trans Or for balancing J-trans. See that would be really helpful if it had you know in parentheses J-trans or something Yeah, okay. So that's money to help because that's because of the Those new buses those million dollar buses we got. Yeah, okay. All right I had one thing for you. A jury Martin City Attorney if you'll look in your packet I believe that the council has this as well, I hope they do.

13:28 Right after the signature page where Ms. Moncure signed for the legal sufficiency for this, finance provided a summary, about a three page summary that answers some of the questions you're asking. That JTRAN one, for example, is specifically addressed by that summary. It tells you the major shifts of money and what they were moved for. Okay, thank you. Yes, I mean, part of my exercise here is, is so that the public is aware that we're doing this. I just want to make sure you knew you had some of the information if you didn't.

13:57 The sunshine is a great disinfectment. Yeah, that's all right. Let me see if there's any others I wanted to question about. Why, why you, sure, go ahead. We are, we did allocate the $400,000 for that piece of landfill equipment, the dozer. And that's going to be critical for getting our land field back online, fully online. Yes. And compliance with MDEQ regulations. Yes, the Public Works Department was reaching out to the vendor to ensure the item was on the ground where they could pick it up if we issued a purchase order.

14:36 And so we're waiting to hear back from the Public Works Department for confirmation. Okay, thank you, Adam. I don't know if we have anyone here from Public Works, but I'd like to get an update on that as soon as possible. Mr. President. Yes, sir. 29 million is a lot of money. And let's remind the public that this year's general fund budget, when I say this year, FY2526, that is ending September 30th of 2026, was set at $135 million. As we have all learned over the last few months as we've really dug into the city's finances, revenue is closer to 110 million.

15:22 So while this number seems particularly large, and it is, a lot of it is because we did not have time as a new administration, I said the collective week last year to figure out where our budget should be. And so, Councilman Foote, I think you're absolutely right to make sure we shine some sun on what we've done because 29 million is large, but I think this also allows us, I'll remind the public, we just passed a budget of $113 million. I suspect next year's adjustments will be a few million dollars, not $29 million.

15:57 Thank you. Yes, sir. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Davidson. One other point I'd like to make here while we're still on this item and agenda, is that some of the big numbers, you just look at page three, The transfers, and this is money that's being transferred out of the police department and public works, and to a certain degree, but that's the two big numbers. There's 2.2 million coming out of police department and 3.2 million coming out of public works, both in the personnel services line, which is means that we didn't have as many employees in those departments as we had planned to have.

16:43 And that is particularly important when you talk about the police department. We need desperately to have more sworn officers and more officers on patrol around the clock, 24 hours a day. It's a dangerous job, it's not an easy job, and we need to make sure that they don't get overworked, that they've got the support. So there is police presence in the city of Jackson everywhere, in all four precincts. And that's critical. So it doesn't do me much joy in saving $2.2 million if what we're giving up for that savings is less policemen on the beat.

17:21 So I think it's imperative on us to work hard to fill that gap in money so that we can recruit more policemen to be out there for police presence and make Jackson a safer city. And Public Works is the same drill there. roads and bridges and drainage and all these issues that the Public Works is responsible for are a core function of city government. If we don't have the personnel to perform those services then the citizens aren't getting what they deserve when they pay their tax money. So it's critical that we fill those slots and deliver the services that the city, that makes the city function correctly and with good roads but also a safer city. Thank you.

18:06 Clerk of Council. We're scheduling which committee meetings because a lot of these issues we're going to be addressing and trying to address and get information. So which committee meetings will be in schedule now? Shanique is your Clerk of Council, Public Works Committee and the Public Safety and Parks. Okay and hopefully we can ask a lot of those relevant questions, get some ideals of the KPIs and the metrics and also that we can discuss their personnel issues that well in both of those departments and and I think it's gonna be helpful and one other thing to add to that agenda for the parks committee or excuse me for public safety and parks is that we need to get that list of the number of parks we have and be able to discuss that as well and if we can get that list beforehand that would be good. Councilwoman Brown-Thomas did you have comments or any questions? Mute or she's on mute. Councilwoman Brown-Thomas if you can unmute. Oh she's right, great. That's just good. Okay if there's no

19:58 for other comments or questions. All in favor? No response. Okay. You see you raised your hand to that firm enough. Thank you. Okay so item pass 4-0. Okay next item please. Order acknowledge and receipt of a fiscal year 2026-2027 budget for the Jackson Heights library system and authorizing an appropriation in the amount of $1,947,008 to the Jackson-Hines Library system. So moved. Second. It's been properly moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? If not, all in favor? What say you Councilwoman Brown-Thomas? Okay. Raise your hands to the affirmative.

21:21 Okay, thank you. Next item, please. Order accepting the budget of the Jackson Airport Authority for the fiscal year 2026-2027. 27. So moved. Second. It's been properly moved and second. If not, all in favor? Vote it to the affirmative. Okay so it passes 4-0. Next item please. Order authorizing the mayor to execute a torch relay agreement with the Los Angeles organizing committee for the Olympics and Paralympics Games, 2028 authorizing the City of Jackson's participation as a host community for this 2028 Olympic to its relay, establishing a community task force and for related purposes.

22:20 So moved. Second. It's been moved and properly second. Any discussions? Drew Martin, City Attorney. I just wanted to add to ask each of you to check your emails. We emailed you some additional information each that's confidential from the LA 28 Committee. It talks about what can be made public and what can't be. office negotiated to make sure it was okay to have this part be public but there's a lot of this that's confidential for now and so please check those when you get a chance. Okay and the reason primarily is we don't want to get, we wouldn't want to get ahead of the committee. They've got 50 states to coordinate with in cities in every state it's a new thing and so they'll have a bunch of announcements coming as they put those logistics together. We don't want to show our hands that's right. That's competitive. Okay any questions or comments. Just excited about this opportunity. Okay if not all in favor Councilwoman Brown-Thomas. Councilwoman Brown-Thomas.

23:49 Wasee. Okay thank you. Next item please. Order authorizing the Mayor to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the United States Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration for participation in the DEA state and local law enforcement task force. So moved. Second. Yes. Okay. Okay. Are there any questions? Is there anyone here that can speak to this item? I'm sorry, did we get it on the floor yet? It is. Yes, on the floor. So anyone that can speak to this item? Good Good morning, Tanya Norwood, chief, JPD chief of staff, president, council members.

24:48 It's my privilege to speak on behalf of Chief Brackney this morning. This memorandum is actually something that we've been looking and working towards for a while. It highlights a partnership, a proposed partnership between the DEA and JPD. It will highlight and offer us an opportunity to work together on resources, information, and actually more boots on the ground. I'm open for questions. This is a new agreement, not a continuation of an existing agreement or partnership? This is a new agreement. And it also adds more funding coming into the department in the form of reimbursement for overtime.

25:35 It also, excuse me, as the opportunity to use, utilize their resources, as well as some internal training amongst our, our officers as well. Okay. What is some of the main focuses of this program concerning, I guess, drug enforcement? Pretty much. It'll give us the opportunity to dig a little deeper into cases and actually have some, I would say stronger cases. So right now working directly with the department, DEA, it will be able to combine and also work with them on their cases which opens up a more encompassing investigation.

26:24 Okay. Councilman Foote. Yes, sir. Thank you. I appreciate you bringing this to our attention. The list here at the end, special agent in charge, John Scott, SAC, whatever that means, from the New Orleans field division. Does DEA have officers here in the Jackson area? Yes, they do. So you'll be working with the ones that are stationed here already and they just work under the agreements with the New Orleans field office, I guess. Is that correct? It is. not limit if they choose to bring others in on different cases.

27:02 So that would be a plus for us. But their manpower, their personnel, we would have the opportunity to utilize all of their resources. Sounds good to me. Thank you, sir. Any other questions? Okay, no other questions? All in favor? We have a 4-0. Okay. Okay, is there anything else to come before this body? Are there any announcements? If not, this meeting is adjourned. Thank you for your cooperation today.