Jackson City Council confirms mayor’s department heads and six municipal judges

The Jackson City Council on Sept. 30 confirmed a series of mayoral appointments that will staff the city’s senior management and municipal court, the council said at a special meeting called to address time-sensitive payroll and operational issues.

The council approved appointments including Peter Tabison as chief administrative officer; Rayshawn O’Thomas as fire chief; Drew M. Martin as city attorney; Lorenzo Anderson, P.E., as public works director; Nathan Slater as information technology director; Nick Lott as director of constituent services and communications; Pamela D.C. Junior as director of Human and Cultural Services; Angela Harris as municipal clerk; Toya Martin as human resources director; and six municipal judges. Voting outcomes were recorded by item (see “Votes at a glance”).

The confirmations matter because the appointees will lead departments central to city services, from public safety and courts to infrastructure, IT and human resources, at a time when the administration says it is addressing urgent payroll and capital needs.

Council discussion before votes ranged from questions about individual qualifications to broader operational priorities. Council members and nominees addressed court operations and a looming payroll deadline for judges, long‑standing infrastructure and blight problems, the condition of fire stations and staffing levels, and plans to modernize the city’s information systems.

Several confirmations were unanimous. For other nominees the roll reflected recusal or dissent: one council…