Committee approves fire department interest recovery and $69,000 cybersecurity grant

The Jackson City Budget Committee unanimously approved two budget amendments addressing a small departmental recovery and cybersecurity funding.

Proposed budget amendment No. 30 recognizes $13,856.16 in interest recovery for the fire department; the committee moved and approved the amendment by voice vote.

Proposed budget amendment No. 31 recognizes and appropriates $69,000 from a state and local cybersecurity grant. Nathan, a finance staff member, explained the grant covers IT expenditures and a portion of police costs, and that it will fund CrowdStrike endpoint/security licensing and related items. Committee members asked clarifying questions about the cybersecurity tools and staff training; presenters responded that the software is a desktop-resident security product and emphasized the need for layered controls.

Both amendments passed on a motion, second and voice vote. The cybersecurity grant was described as a delayed award from a program the city has received previously; staff said the funds will be allocated to IT and police line items as outlined in the grant.