Jackson Police Chief Says Proposed Budget Would Leave Department Short Even at Current Staffing
JACKSON - Jackson's police chief told City Council members Aug. 19 that a proposed nearly $5 million cut to the department's budget would leave it unable to sustain even its current, reduced staffing levels.
Speaking at a City Council budget workshop reviewing the police department's fiscal 2027 budget, the chief said, "we are being presented with a budget that is 32 um million dollar close to $33 million representing a nearly $5 million cut to my budget." The remarks came as council members reviewed the department's proposed allocation against the current fiscal year's spending. Council members said any reduction would have to be offset by cuts found elsewhere in the city's budget.
The exchange is part of the council's broader budget workshop process for fiscal 2027, in which department heads have presented proposed spending plans for review. For the police department, the proposed cut would come on top of existing staffing shortfalls, raising questions about how the city intends to maintain public-safety services within a reduced budget. Council members have not yet said where offsetting cuts might come from or whether new revenue would be sought to close the gap.