City Council offices likely to remain at City Hall

After an unexpected memo from the city attorney noting that as a result of the 2010 census report, the city of Jackson may be in violation of state law because of its dwindling population. City council members reached out to state lawmakers for help.

Census data shows Jackson’s population is less than the 190,000 required by the state for city council members to maintain individual offices at city hall. The latest numbers reveal that the population in Jackson is 173,000.

As a result of the numbers, last City Attorney Peter Teeuwissen sent a memo to warn council members of the purported violation. This memo caught council members off guard and left some wondering if Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. had initiated it.

Johnson told reporters that he was not aware of the memo, did not order it and in fact prefers the council maintain offices at City Hall.

Still council members want the law changed in an effort not to have to repeat this cycle.  “The only way we can get along as a body is to change the law, if possible, by going to the Legislature,” Councilman Charles Tillman said.

Tillman who represents Ward 5, which primarily covers West Jackson, applauded Council President Frank Bluntson for his swift action. “Had the president of the council not mentioned this we would simply be left in the dark and walking around mumbling and grumbling,” Tillman said. “I appreciate the president’s swift action in terms of drafting a resolution and reaching out to our state leaders.”

Bluntson, who represents Ward 4, along with Quentin Whitwell, who represents Ward 1, drafted a resolution asking that the law be changed to require a population of 150,000 to maintain offices at city hall.

Deputy City Attorney James Anderson said the city actually fell out of compliance with the law in 2000 when its population dropped to 184,000. “I don’t think the council is in any immediate danger of being evicted as you can tell their offices are still here even after the 2000 Census,” Anderson said. “The council is basically doing what they need to do to fix the problem.”