Council requests Jackson Redevelopment Authority to appear as members propose auctioning unused JRA properties

Council members at the finance committee asked the Jackson Redevelopment Authority to come before the committee after reviewing a $1.4 million line tied to JRA in the draft budget. Finance staff said that amount includes both an appropriation to JRA and JRA-related bond payments; council members asked for a bond schedule and more detail on the debt under JRA.

Councilman Foote suggested the city consider auctioning JRA properties to move units back into private ownership and onto the property-tax rolls. ‘‘When they buy it, they have to start paying property tax,’’ Foote said, proposing an auction with national notice and development stipulations; other members said they would prefer a local-first preference for purchasers.

CAO Peter Taberson supported the request for more information and recommended a dedicated meeting with JRA so members can explain their strategy, bond obligations and partnership role with the city. ‘‘I think that JRA and, again, I don't wanna pledge your time, but I do think the relationship between the city and JRA warrants its own committee meeting,’’ Taberson said. The chair agreed to schedule a specific meeting with JRA.

Next steps: The administration will provide a detailed bond-payment schedule and a clearer breakdown of the JRA line items at the follow-up meeting; the committee has not endorsed any auction or sale policy and will seek full JRA participation before taking action.