The city of Jackson is asking a federal judge to block a state-created authority that would eventually take over its water system once federal oversight ends.
Mayor John Horhn’s office announced Monday that it “filed a motion asking the federal district court to enjoin implementation” of the Jackson Metro Water Authority. The authority, created through a bill signed into law by Gov. Tate Reeves earlier this month, would assume oversight of the capital city’s water system as early as 2027, pending federal court approval and the completion of the transition out of receivership under JXN Water. JXN Water is the third-party utility previously appointed by a federal judge to run the system.
During this year’s legislative session, lawmakers approved a governance structure for the authority that gives the Jackson mayor three appointments, the governor two, and the lieutenant governor one. The mayors of Byram and Ridgeland each receive one appointment, while a ninth board member will be jointly selected by the Jackson mayor and governor. A point of contention throughout the negotiation process was how much of a voice Jackson would have on the board, with lawmakers ultimately reducing Jackson’s potential influence by adding appointees from Ridgeland and Byram, both of which receive some water services from Jackson.
Horhn has consistently argued the authority in the final version of the bill fails to align control with responsibility, noting that Jackson remains tied to the system’s assets and any associated debt, as members not representing Jackson directly would be able to set rates and oversee operations.
He took that argument a step further with the court filing, contending the law “attempts to take authority away from the federal court and that only the court can determine the next steps for Jackson’s water crisis.” The system was placed under federal oversight after the 2022 water crisis left over 100,000 residents without safe drinking water.
RELATED: Independent testing shows how safe Jackson water is in 2026
“Jackson should not be asked to carry the greatest risk without having the authority to govern the assets it owns,” Horhn said. “We own the asset, and we remain responsible for the debt if the system cannot sustain itself. The city should be able to control and manage its own assets, and any future structure must reflect that responsibility.”
Horhn and his fellow city officials are asking the court to disregard the new law and provide direction on what “any future city ordinance or legislation should look like” as it relates to the next chapter of Jackson’s water system, adding they are prepared to draft a city ordinance consistent with any guidance the court might offer.
If the court decides not to intervene, Horhn has already named his appointments to the board and so have the mayors of Ridgeland and Byram. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate has scheduled a status conference to discuss the city’s motion on May 1 – the same date all appointments for the board are due, per the new law.