Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition addresses Jackson water system funding and control

By Ivory Phillips

JA Contributing Editor

The Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition called for and led a spirited and informative public hearing at Central United Methodist Church in Jackson on Monday, April 27th. Hundreds of Jackson residents and activists attended the hearing. Also attending were councilmen from several wards, including Ashby Foote (Ward 1), Vernon Hartley (Ward 5), and Kevin Parkinson (Ward 7).

The meeting provided an opportunity for Jackson residents to share their experiences with JXN Water, the third-party entity now managing Jackson’s water and sewage systems, and to receive updates on legal and legislative actions dealing with funding and control of the water system in Jackson. The hearing also made it possible for Jackson residents to sign a petition demanding a ballot initiative on the issue of water system control.

Danyelle Holmes and Catherine Robinson helped organize and moderate the hearing. Several attorneys explained and gave updates on pending matters.

Attorney Julian Miller said he is working on the funding for Jackson under the American Rescue Plan Act, which has been held up by the state. Unlike any other municipality in the state, Jackson is being required to provide matching funds in order to receive its federal allocation. The matter must be resolved by January 1, 2027. With that deadline in mind, Miller encouraged residents to attend the court hearing on May 14th at 9:30 a.m.

Attorneys Makani Themba and Korbin Felder discussed the Safe Drinking Water case. They said money had been sent to the state for Jackson’s system, but had been diverted or held up by the state. The legal action filed resulted in Ted Henifin being appointed to privately manage the system. U.S. District Court Judge Henry Wingate oversees the case. At this point, the plaintiffs are trying to block the state from being able to take over the system when Henifin leaves. Themba and Felder urged residents to attend the next round of court hearings on this case, scheduled for Friday, May 1st at 9:30 am. 

Amir Badat, speaking on behalf of Southern States and Fair Fight, explained that the developing Jackson Metro Water Authority, with a nine-member board and Jackson having only three appointees, will control the rates paid by Jackson residents and bond and debt actions, when Jackson officials sign a lease agreement. In order to prevent such a condition, Badat urged residents to demand that no lease is ever signed.

 Ward 5 Councilman Hartley proposed that rather than accept the state-endorsed metro authority a Jackson water authority be created. He stressed that Jackson’s water system should be under the control of people having the residents’ best interest at heart.