City attorney says water-authority bill stalled; committee told to prepare transition planning
March 24, 2026 | Jackson City, Hinds County, Mississippi
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The committee heard a legal update on the Jackson Metro Water Authority after the city attorney described a Senate "strike all" that substantially changed board composition and left the city with limited appointment authority. "It died today," Drew Martin told the committee about the latest legislative movement on the measure.
Martin said the bill as amended would create a nine-member board with only three seats appointed by the city and the remainder selected by outside jurisdictions and the governor — a configuration that would reduce the citys direct influence over the system. He warned committee members that, absent a favorable legislative outcome, Jackson Water remains the controlling entity for the system and that no successor legal entity exists ready to assume operations immediately.
Why it matters: committee members said the issue affects residents who receive water service and who have experienced turnoffs and high bills; the Chair described an elderly constituent affected by a water shutoff to underline stakes. Martin urged the council to prepare in two ways: (1) develop a transition plan or a municipal utility-board proposal under current statutes the city could present to the court and legislature; and (2) organize a legislative committee and a calendar (September or October) to coordinate the citys priorities and lobbying strategy for the next session.
Operational and staffing notes: Martin explained that some Jackson Water staff remain on the city payroll for continuity and benefits but are effectively paid by Jackson Water; any municipal takeover would require a deep review of contracts, finances and day-to-day operations. He recommended appointing someone (a president or executive director) to be embedded with Jackson Water for a transition period under a board structure.
Next steps: The committee asked the city attorney and staff to prepare drafts for council consideration, including an ordinance or resolution that establishes the city's priorities and identifies a transition approach. Martin said the court overseeing the system will expect a transition plan and that any municipal solution should be developed with federal- and state-level requirements in mind.
Ending: With the bill stalled, the committee agreed to keep working on legislative strategy, engage the city administration and prepare materials for the council and the public ahead of next years legislative session.
Martin said the bill as amended would create a nine-member board with only three seats appointed by the city and the remainder selected by outside jurisdictions and the governor — a configuration that would reduce the citys direct influence over the system. He warned committee members that, absent a favorable legislative outcome, Jackson Water remains the controlling entity for the system and that no successor legal entity exists ready to assume operations immediately.
Why it matters: committee members said the issue affects residents who receive water service and who have experienced turnoffs and high bills; the Chair described an elderly constituent affected by a water shutoff to underline stakes. Martin urged the council to prepare in two ways: (1) develop a transition plan or a municipal utility-board proposal under current statutes the city could present to the court and legislature; and (2) organize a legislative committee and a calendar (September or October) to coordinate the citys priorities and lobbying strategy for the next session.
Operational and staffing notes: Martin explained that some Jackson Water staff remain on the city payroll for continuity and benefits but are effectively paid by Jackson Water; any municipal takeover would require a deep review of contracts, finances and day-to-day operations. He recommended appointing someone (a president or executive director) to be embedded with Jackson Water for a transition period under a board structure.
Next steps: The committee asked the city attorney and staff to prepare drafts for council consideration, including an ordinance or resolution that establishes the city's priorities and identifies a transition approach. Martin said the court overseeing the system will expect a transition plan and that any municipal solution should be developed with federal- and state-level requirements in mind.
Ending: With the bill stalled, the committee agreed to keep working on legislative strategy, engage the city administration and prepare materials for the council and the public ahead of next years legislative session.
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