Jackson County committee holds ordinance creating senior citizens services fund pending clarification on distribution language

The Intergovernmental Affairs Committee voted to hold Ordinance 6001, which would add sections to the Jackson County Code of 1984 to establish a Senior Citizens Services Fund, after members requested clearer language about how funds would be distributed.

A committee member asked whether the enacting language required equal geographic distribution across the county’s six subdistricts and said the difference between "equal" and "equitable" distribution mattered for implementation. "I think equitable would be a proper term. I think equitable versus equal is a little different and that's I wanted to discuss that with you," a committee member said, adding equitable distribution could allow consideration of population or need rather than a rigid per-district split.

Committee members noted preliminary discussions had occurred with staff (Miss Miller was referenced as having spoken on the issue) and that additional review of state statute and charter language would help ensure the county followed applicable legal requirements. The committee moved and seconded to hold the ordinance and voted in the affirmative with no recorded opposition.

The committee did not set a specific amendment to the ordinance during the meeting; members signaled they would clarify distribution language and statutory alignment before the item returns to committee.