Jackson City Council confirms mayoral appointments to planning, housing and school boards

Jackson City Council confirmed four mayoral appointments at a special meeting on Dec. 19, approving nominees for the city’s planning and housing bodies and a new member of the public school board.

Mayor John Horn presented each nomination. Introducing one candidate, Horn told the council he had "great pleasure to offer for confirmation" Dr. Wanda Kaye’s nomination to the planning board and said she was recommended by longtime board member Joyce Jackson. Kaye, who identified herself as a Doctor of Pharmacy and described work in public health and community partnerships, told the council the city must "listen to" residents and pay attention to neighborhood appearance and environmental concerns when making planning decisions.

The council questioned Kaye about attendance and engagement on the planning board; members emphasized the board’s role as a fact-finding body and urged commissioners to visit sites and resist groupthink. After discussion the council took a voice vote and confirmed her appointment.

The body then considered Angela Brown for director of the Department of Planning and Development. Mayor Horn described Brown’s leadership of a Bloomberg innovation team and recommended her to "reorganize, restructure" the department. Brown outlined a set of goals if confirmed, including an assessment of current permitting and licensing processes, clearer public-facing web guidance, improved data and reporting, and piloting a one-stop approach to streamline licensing and permitting. She said she wanted to set baselines and report metrics so residents could see how quickly requests were processed.

Council members repeatedly raised permitting delays and the connection between zoning and community improvement; one member said Ward 4 alone has "over 1,000 cases in code enforcement" and pressed for follow-through. Brown said the department would explore automation and cross-training to reduce manual steps. The council voted to confirm her.

Benita Burt was presented for the Jackson Housing Authority Board. Horn and others recounted Burt’s decades in public service, including work with workforce and human services programs. Burt described community-based participatory approaches and programs to help low- and moderate-income households toward homeownership. Council questioning centered on homelessness, vacant housing stock, the housing authority’s role with Section 8 and responses to poorly managed apartment complexes. Burt recommended pre-purchase counseling, tenant management associations, and stronger enforcement or litigation against negligent property managers. The council approved her appointment.

Finally, the council considered Lee A. Scott II for the Jackson Public School District Board of Trustees. Supporters highlighted Scott’s work with students and leadership of the Get to College program; council members urged the nominee to focus on instructional materials and pedagogy as the district addresses post‑pandemic learning challenges. Council President Brian Brazell recused himself from the vote because Scott would be his supervisor; the council proceeded and confirmed Scott.

The meeting closed with seasonal remarks and the council adjourned for a brief recess. The confirmed appointees are expected to begin serving in their respective roles according to the city’s usual onboarding procedures.