The Jackson City Council unanimously approved an emergency budget amendment moving funds from a ward-level modernization tax allotment into materials for asphalt purchases so the Public Works infrastructure crew can continue street repairs.

Terry Williamson of the city attorney's office explained the item as a transfer within Fund 372 (the modernization tax fund). City staff said the council had budgeted $100,000 per ward for resurfacing projects; the requested transfer moves roughly $28,970 from each ward’s allotment into a materials line so crews could buy truckloads of asphalt after a prior professional-services allocation was exhausted.

Council members pressed administration for clarity about remaining balances and how ward allotments were being spent. Louis Wright, CAO, and the chief administrative team said the remaining allotments could be spent after council direction; City Engineer and infrastructure staff said they respond primarily to 311 calls and council direction for specific streets. “What we’ve been doing… is working with council members as you send requests to us,” Wright said.

Council members asked for a more proactive process: several said they expected crews to use 311 call data and ward lists to prioritize repairs and to spend their $100,000 allotments rather than deferring to regular maintenance budgets. The council voted to add the emergency item to the agenda and approved the transfer 7–0.

City staff committed to deliver a memo showing fund balances and a list of streets or priority potholes to be addressed in each ward. The administration said it would coordinate with council members to set priorities and expedite material purchases so street repairs proceed through the summer.

The action is intended to keep operations moving while the council and administration refine a longer-term plan for resurfacing and capital pavement projects.