Jackson Mayor John Horhn is voicing frustration after state lawmakers approved a plan to create a new water authority to oversee the capital city’s water and sewer system without giving Jackson majority control of the board.
The Mississippi Legislature sent a bill to the desk of Gov. Tate Reeves on Monday that would create a nine-member governing board tasked with eventual oversight of Jackson’s water system once it transitions from federal court oversight.
The final version of the bill outlines a board made up of three members appointed by the Jackson mayor, two by the governor, one by the lieutenant governor, one each appointed by the mayors of Ridgeland and Byram, and one jointly selected by the governor and Jackson mayor. Horhn would serve as a nonvoting member.
In a statement released Tuesday, Horhn argued that the bill fails to align control with responsibility, noting that Jackson remains tied to the system’s assets and any associated debt.
“Jackson should not be asked to carry the greatest risk without having the authority to govern the assets it owns,” Horhn said. “We will continue working with our city leaders, state and federal officials, and other partners toward a solution that is fair, workable, and centered on accountability. Jackson should be able to govern its own resources.”
The final board makeup is a shift from an earlier House proposal that would have given Jackson majority appointment and approval power. The Senate revised the bill to give representation to Ridgeland and Byram, two suburbs that use some of Jackson’s services, before leaders from both chambers negotiated a final version and received final passage from their colleagues.
Horhn’s office said in a press release that the legislation “leaves important questions unanswered” regarding accountability, debt service, and the system’s long-term management. It also expressed concern about how disputes between the authority and Jackson’s elected officials would be handled, particularly if the system struggles to generate enough revenue to meet its obligations.
“The City remains concerned that if the Authority and the Mayor or City Council do not agree, the bill does not clearly establish how major decisions will be made or who will bear responsibility,” the release stated.
The legislation includes a provision requiring independent rate studies every two years, following a recent court-approved 12% rate increase for Jackson water customers. It also establishes a formal process for customers to dispute billing issues and a framework for future rate adjustments. Still, Horhn’s office questioned whether those measures go far enough.
“Serious concerns remain about whether those provisions fully address the ongoing issues of rising rates, low collection of past-due bills, and the Authority’s ability to sustain operations without creating new burdens for Jackson residents,” the release continued.
Supporters of the measure – which passed largely with Republican support but included three Democratic votes across both chambers – argue that a regional authority is necessary to provide long-term accountability for a system that has struggled for decades. However, with Horhn’s administration now in place after he was elected with bipartisan support, city officials have maintained that Jackson should retain greater control.
Third-party utility JXN Water, appointed by a federal judge after the 2022 water crisis, says it has made significant progress stabilizing and advancing the system, including repairing hundreds of leaks and reopening closed valves to better water flow. Additional “priority projects” are underway to ensure residents have consistent access to drinking water and sewer services, JXN Water’s website notes.
If signed into law, board appointments are due by May 1. Members would then work with U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate to select a president, who would initially serve under current system manager Ted Henifin before assuming full operational duties when Henifin plans to step down next year.