Council tables plan to negotiate with county over jail-funded tax increase
JACKSON - Jackson City Council members discussed a resolution to negotiate with the Hinds County Board of Supervisors over a possible increase to the county tax rate but withdrew the item pending more information.
The discussion took place at the council's Sept. 2 meeting, where members considered whether to open talks with the county over a millage increase reportedly tied to funding a new county jail. Councilman Stokes cautioned against letting the tax burden grow, saying, "We already losing people to Madison and Rankin County because the taxes are cheap. We must do anything we can to make sure that people cannot use that your taxes are too high as a reason to leave this city."
The council ultimately withdrew the resolution, asking that any future version specify which city officials would lead negotiations with the county.
According to figures relayed during the meeting, Hinds County is considering raising its millage by about 1.5 mills, or roughly $2.3 million, to help pay for the jail project. Those figures have not been independently confirmed with the Board of Supervisors. City leaders framed the issue as part of a broader concern about residents leaving Jackson for neighboring counties with lower tax rates.