JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
The mayor and several members of the council expressed disappointment that the schools were not represented at the meeting where there was a spirited discussion about the budget.
After it was over Mayor Harvey Johnson talked with reporters.
"I did not craft the school district's budget. That was crafted by the school district. So you would have to speak to them as to what went into that," Mayor Johnson said.
The president of the city Councilman Tony Yarber argued that the citizens who approved a school bond issue by an 80% vote knew they would have to pay increased taxes to support that bond issue.
"That bond included language that said taxes would be levied. Doing that in a responsible manner, lies, lays in the hands of the school district, and the levying authority which is the City of Jackson," Yarber said.
Councilwoman Margaret Barrett Simon had this to say, after the vote.
"I am very disappointed that the school superintendent, nor any representatives was here this morning. This was a very important vote for them," Barrett Simon added.
Council member Quentin Whitwell tried to get the council to vote to against increasing the school budget, but that failed. He thinks there needs to be an elected school board, instead of the appointed one now in charge.
"What I think we will look at in the legislative committee, which I chair, for next year, is to move to an elected board, instead of an appointed board," Whitwell added.
So the Jackson City Council has approved a $350.7 million budget which does not require a tax increase, but a 2.5 mill increase in taxes to support the school budget.
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