Narrow Jackson council majority rejects move to declare budget deficit

Four of seven Jackson City Council members voted Tuesday against an order to amend the city’s fiscal 2026 budget, declining to formally declare a deficit despite warnings from Mayor John Horhn, council records show.

The cityDepartment of Finance and Administration had recommended the council adopt the order because projected general fund revenues are about $112 million, $23 million less than the $135 million general fund budget the council passed last fall, the department told the council.

Council members who opposed the order said that on paper figures do not reflect steps the administration took to curb spending. Ward 1 Council Member Ashby Foote said he remained unconvinced the city will face a shortfall. “I’m still not convinced that we’re going to have a deficit, OK?” Foote said. He joined Ward 2 Council Member Tina Clay, Ward 3 Council Member Kenneth Stokes and Ward 4 Council Member Brian Grizzell in opposing the measure.

City Chief Administrative Officer Pieter Teeuwissen, who had ordered a citywide hiring freeze amid concerns about the general fund, said he was surprised by the vote. Teeuwissen and the city’s budget office provided documents to the council showing the city will not spend more than it takes in this year, the administration said.

Council Members Kevin Parkinson of Ward 7, Lashia Brown-Thomas of Ward 6 and Vernon Hartley of Ward 5 voted to adopt the order. “There is a deficit, so we need to pass this,” Hartley said. Parkinson said the fiscal 2026 budget still shows the original $135 million estimate and warned that a future audit could flag a deficit. A consultant in December had estimated the passed budget would result in a shortfall if the administration did not rein in spending, the council was told.

Source: Original Article