Jackson Mayor John Horhn took the podium Tuesday at the Jackson Convention Complex for his second State of the City speech, using the opportunity to tout achievements during his first 15 months in office and giving residents a glimpse into his plans for the future.
The Democratic mayor covered a range of topics, highlighting successes, addressing the negatives, and boasting what’s to come, with one recurring theme: Jackson is rolling.
“We haven’t solved every problem. We haven’t finished the job. And nobody in this room should mistake progress for perfection, but we have begun to confront our problems head on,” Horhn said. “We have begun to change the direction of this city. And we’re doing it around three commitments: Restore trust, repair the city, and rebuild opportunities. That’s our work. That’s our responsibility. And that’s how we’ll measure our progress. Because comebacks don’t get announced. They get built. They get repaired. They get paved. And Jackson is rolling.”
From balanced budget to road repairs, Horhn touts progress
Horhn started the address off with a bang, revealing that he and his office have completely brought the city’s budget deficit back to zero.
“Let me start with trust. Because before people will believe in a city’s future, they have to believe their government can do its job. When we walked into City Hall, we faced a $25 million budget deficit. That’s approximately $68,000 a day going out the door without the revenue coming in to cover it. We couldn’t keep operating that way,” Horhn said. “So we went to work. Today, that deficit is gone. We solved it without layoffs, without furloughs, and without a tax increase. That’s what responsible government looks like.”
Horhn pointed out that while plenty of roads in the city may still feel like a rollercoaster, Jackson has already made a lot of progress fixing its streets.
“Our crews, working with our partners at Hinds County, have been filling approximately 2,500 potholes a month — over 100 a day,” Horhn said. “Our Public Works Department has closed 4,399 major work orders involving everything from traffic signals and bridges to illegal dumping. … This is the biggest year of paving Jackson has seen in 40 years.”
Since taking office, Horhn has brought on Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney, who, according to Horhn, immediately began cracking down on crime in the capital city.
“In July, the Jackson Police Department launched a Quick Response Team to address the most violent, high-risk calls,” Horhn explained. “In its first weeks, that team took 77 guns off the street and made dozens of felony arrests. Officers resolved four hostage and barricade situations without firing a shot. Chief Brackney and her team have pursued more than $130 million in federal and state support, and Jackson is a finalist for the Justice Department’s Model Cities Initiative. Those are important steps.”
Additionally, Horhn revealed that the city gave multiple $5,000 checks to organizations that brought violence prevention into Jackson high schools. The city also installed a new $2 million communications system alongside new heating and air conditioning units in 15 fire stations and hired 30 new firefighters.
Horhn also highlighted the repair of Thalia Mara Hall and how, in its first six months back in service, it created $1.3 million in economic activity from 18 events. He also noted the strong economic growth Jackson saw from big-time investors who believe in the city’s future.
“People are putting their own money into Jackson. Home values rose 32% this year, the largest increase in the metro area,” Horhn said. “Kumar Bhavanasi saw potential in downtown Jackson. He now owns more than two million square feet in the heart of the city, including the Pinnacle, Deposit Guaranty, Regions Plaza, and the Electric Building. Gabriel Prado broke ground on Prado Lofts, a $50 million development with 215 homes. Chico Patel is investing $25 million in a 111-room Hampton Inn in Fondren.”
Horhn acknowledges ongoing challenges
While Horhn had no problem boasting about what has been done and what is in the works, he didn’t shy away from pointing out some of Jackson’s shortcomings since his last speech.
“Trust also means being honest about difficult issues. Our relationship with JXN Water has been tested. We are now having serious conversations about what comes next when the current arrangement ends,” Horhn said. “Let me be clear: Jackson owns these water assets. Jackson carries the debt. And the people of Jackson have a legitimate interest in the future of their water system.”
“We welcome responsible partners. We welcome expertise. We welcome solutions. But partnership must never mean surrendering Jackson’s voice in decisions about Jackson’s future,” he continued. “We will continue to insist on accountability, transparency, and a meaningful role for the city.”
Despite a successful hiring of a new police chief, violent crime was high during the summer months, and Horhn acknowledged this on Tuesday, letting the grieving families know that they are seen.
“This summer, violence spiked. Families buried sons and daughters. Parents lost children. Loved ones are grieving,” Horhn said. “To those families, let me say this: We see you. We grieve with you. And we will not look away. … We have a responsibility to respond with urgency.”
Horhn outlines his plans
Horhn said he will start providing audits to Jackson residents so they can track where their tax dollars go.
“You deserve to know where your money goes. And anyone thinking about investing in Jackson deserves confidence that our financial house is in order,” Horhn said. “We are finding money we didn’t know we were losing. Our Information Technology Department uncovered $1.3 million in over-billing on a single contract. We’re pursuing every dollar we can recover. That’s your money, and we’re going after it.”
Part of that money will come back as new streets and even more fixed potholes.
“We’ve gotten long-delayed projects moving again, including the MLK Bridge, Shaw Road, Beasley Road, and Smallwood Street. And yes, Woodrow Wilson is on the list,” Horhn said. “We have selected contractors for a $150 million street and drainage program. Later this month, we will accelerate our plan to resurface approximately 600 streets — roughly nine streets a week over the course of the next year.
“This is about more than asphalt. It’s about safer roads, better access to businesses, stronger neighborhoods, and a city that respects the time and money of the people who live here.”
Horhn also discussed a new, improved public transportation system in Jackson, with buses and more quality-of-life features.
“We ended the bus strike and signed contracts for new 35-foot buses and a new fare system,” Horhn said. “We also secured a $2.8 million federal grant for bus benches and shelters, because nobody should have to stand in the rain next to a pole stuck in the ground and call that public transportation.
“We completed the One Line Study, and next year we’ll test micro-transit — smaller vehicles that residents can call for a ride in areas where a full-size bus doesn’t make sense. Our goal is a transportation system that works for more people in more parts of Jackson.”
Horhn touted that, later this month, the University of Mississippi Medical Center will break ground on a $250 million world-class cancer center. He also teased a new Jackson State University football stadium that would double as a concert venue if given the green light by state lawmakers, plus an overlook, walking trails, and an amphitheater on the Pearl River.
On housing, Horhn discussed a new strategy to build and repair homes using Jackson’s own people as contractors.
“Next year, we intend to move housing resources more quickly — to repair homes, build affordable housing, and remove structures that cannot be saved,” Horhn said. “We’ll bring a new zoning code to the City Council and update our comprehensive plan. National experts are helping us address old industrial properties and identify opportunities to strengthen commercial corridors along bus lines. Starting in Bon Air, we’ll test approaches that allow backyard cottages, duplexes, and infill housing — more ways to build homes on land we already have.”
Horhn ends address on positive note
Horhn left the people of Jackson with one last message: that Jackson rising is real, not a pipe dream.
“One street. One block. One home at a time,” the mayor emphasized. “Yes, we are ideas-rich and cash-poor. Our challenges are significant. There is much left to do, and it will take time. But we are no longer content simply to explain why things aren’t getting done. We’re doing the work to get things done.
“Jackson’s story is not over. We are writing the next chapter together. The state of our city is strong, and it’s getting stronger. Jackson is rising. And Jackson is rolling.”