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Jackson council adopts FY2026 budget after contentious debate; capital outlay funded from reserves
Summary
After hours of public comment and internal debate, the Jackson City Council approved the fiscal‑year 2026 budget on first reading with a motion to fully restore capital outlay ($5,395,443.88) and to cover the balance from the general fund balance; the measure passed 6‑3. A separate tax‑increase proposal failed 2‑7.
Jackson City Council adopted the fiscal‑year 2026 budget on first reading after a daylong meeting that included extensive public comment from local nonprofits and a heated council debate over how to fund capital requests for police, fire and other departments.
Council members voted 6 to 3 to restore the full capital outlay request of $5,395,443.88 and to fund the remaining difference—approximately $3.7 million—by drawing on the city’s general fund balance. An earlier, alternative amendment to raise the property tax by 17 cents and increase the city sticker fee by $10 failed 2 to 7.
The fiscal debate occupied much of the meeting. Councilman Frank McMeade summarized a list of police equipment and fire equipment the departments said they needed; police requests discussed included cameras, patrol laptops, portable radios, ballistic vests and other safety gear; fire requests included new hoses, turnout gear and equipment. Police…
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