Jackson, Mississippi
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Contents |
Jackson is the capital city of Mississippi.
[edit] Website evaluation
- Main article: Evaluation of Mississippi city websites
[edit] The good
- City council members are listed with contact information. Meeting agendas, minutes, and videos are posted.[1]
- Administrative officials are listed[2]
- Building permits and zoning information is posted.[3]
- Form for making a public records request is available.[4]
[edit] The bad
- A current budget is not published
- As of 11/15/2009 the directory of governmental officials page is blank.[5]
- Annual financial audits are posted, but they are not updated.[6]
- City tax information is not posted.
- Does not provide information on lobbying and contracts.
[edit] Elected Officials
[edit] City Council
The City of Jackson operates under the Mayor-Council form of government with a full-time Mayor elected at-large and seven part-time Council members elected (one each) from the seven Wards.[1]
The City Council is authorized by Section 21-8-9 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended, to serve as the Legislative Branch for the City. Each member of the Council is empowered to perform the duties specified by the general laws of the State.[1]
During the first Council meeting in July, the Council elects one (1) member to serve as President of the Council and one (1) member as Vice-President, both of whom serve at the will and pleasure of the Council.[1]
The President presides at all Council meetings. In the event of the President's absence or disability, the Vice-President acts as President. In the event of the absence of both the President and Vice-President, a presiding officer will be designated by majority vote of Council members present to serve during such meetings. All Council members, including the President, shall have the right to vote at all times, even when he/she is presiding.[1]
Current members are:[1]
| Name | Ward | Party | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quentin Whitwell | Ward 1 | Republican | July 6, 2012 |
| Chokwe Lumumba | Ward 2 | Democrat | July 6, 2012 |
| Kenneth Stokes | Ward 3 | Democray | July 6, 2012 |
| Frank Bluntson Council President | Ward 4 | Democrat | July 6, 2012 |
| Charles Tillman Council Vice-President | Ward 5 | Democrat | July 6, 2012 |
| Tony Yarber | Ward 6 | Democrat | July 6, 2012 |
| Margaret Barrett-Simon | Ward 7 | Democrat | July 6, 2012 |
[edit] Administrative Officials
[edit] Chief Administrative Officer
The mission of the Chief Administrative Officer is to serve as a centralized administrative resource and link between the Mayor's Office, City Council, department directors, and other entities and to facilitate outcomes consistent with the overall vision and mission of the City of Jackson. He/she insures overall efficiency, productivity, accountability and compliance with local ordinances as well as state and federal laws and regulations and the administration's policies, priorities and commitment to deliver quality services in the day-to-day operations of municipal government.[2]
General Responsibilities of the Office:[2]
- Implement executive and legislative policy directives relative to staff and services
- Coordinate the functions and duties of departments through departmental directors and upper-level administrative personnel
- Provide assistance to department directors in identifying and complying with executive priorities, goals, policies, and procedures
- Work with individuals, community groups, institutions, and agencies to ascertain concerns to be addressed through administrative remedies
- Create and maintain continuity among municipal services and strategic planning, budgeting, comprehensive and capital programming, and performance accountability
- Enforce fiscal policy, and direct and monitor, with the assistance of the City's finance personnel, the accuracy of financial reports, annual budget preparations, adoption, and auditing as well as spending, revenues, and investments to ensure a healthy financial status for the City
- Coordinate the presentation and dissemination of financial business that is to be presented by city staff through the Mayor to the City Council
- Monitor contract compliance and expenditures with department directors to insure fiscal accountability and the timely completion of public capital projects
- Serve as point of contact in the executive branch on non-legal matters, respond to service requests by City Councilpersons, and act as a dual point of contact with city offices and department directors for citizens at large
- Create intergovernmental and metropolitan inter-jurisdictional strategies that forge partnerships and build upon cooperative agreements and arrangements that benefit the local community and the regional area.
[edit] Emergency Services
[edit] Fire Department
The Jackson Fire Department is the largest Fire Department in the State of Mississippi. They currently consist of 7 divisions with 443 budgeted positions. The 7 divisions that make up the Jackson Fire Department are Administration and Finance; Arson and Internal Affairs; Community Relations and Fire Safety Education; Emergency Services; Training, Safety, Research and Development; Office of the Fire Marshal; and Fire Loss. Emergency Services is the largest division and consists of 21 fire stations and 32 pieces of emergency equipment.[7]
[edit] Police Department
Jackson Police Department (JPD) is composed of approximately 430 sworn officers who are supported by over 250 civilian personnel.[8] Since 1999, overall crime in the city has decreased precipitously, however, rates have fluctuated higher than the decade low year of 2005.[9]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
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