Jackson City Council passes resolution opposing state takeover of water system

The Jackson City Council, on a 5-0 vote, passed a resolution opposing Senate Bill 2628, which would, if passed, place control of JXN Water under a state-appointed board after Jackson's federally appointed Third-Party Water Administrator Ted Henifin leaves.

The action came during in a special-called meeting Monday morning in which Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes and Ward 5 Councilman Vernon W. Hartley Sr. were not in attendance.

The resolution states the bill is in violation of the federal stipulated order, which placed the City of Jackson's water system in the hands of Henifin. The order was signed off on by U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate, the U.S. Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency and Jackson city officials in 2022.

In addition, Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote proposed amendments to the council's final resolution. Foote said if the bill passes, there shall be an annual townhall held by the utility authority in all wards of the City of Jackson, as well as the City of Ridgeland and the City of Byram which rely on Jackson's water system as well.

Henifin supports passing of SB 2628: Jackson MS water system takeover by state supported by water administrator Ted Henifin

Foote and attending city council members believe that would allow citizens of Jackson to have a voice in the operation of the water system.

“For clarity, this is again going to encourage our legislative body in the state of Mississippi (on) how Jackson feels,” Council President Aaron Banks said in the meeting.

Last week, members of the city council discussed the bill during a Public Works Committee meeting with a majority of the council denouncing the bill. Specifically, council members voiced opposition because the water system is one of the city's biggest revenue generators.

Resolution Opposing SB 2628 Revision 2 3.4.2024 by USA TODAY Network on Scribd

Ward 6 Councilman and Council President Aaron Banks, Ward 2 Councilwoman Angelique Lee and Ward 7 Councilwoman Virgi Lindsay were also upset that none of the bill writers, nor those in favor of the bill — including Henifin — sat down with anyone from the city or on the council to discuss the future of the water system.

Banks blasted the bill, stating that the city "needs a partner. Not a slaveowner, not a taskmaster, but a partner."

Senate Bill 2628 would create a water authority consisting of a nine-member board and a president appointed by the governor and the lieutenant governor. It would also need approval by the U.S. Department of Justice.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS city council resolution opposes state takeover of water system