Jackson City Council urges Judge Henry Wingate to address Jackson Water operations, billing and oversight

The Jackson City Council on Jan. 6 adopted an amended resolution urging U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate to consider actions related to Jackson Water operations, billing practices, fiscal oversight and public accountability.

The measure was read aloud by a presenter and put on the floor for debate. A council member proposed revising the resolution’s language to shift from "taking certain action" to "considering certain actions" for consistency through the document; the council member said the change should be made "for consistency in the 'be it hereby resolved' paragraph." The amendment was seconded and passed unanimously, 5-0.

After the amendment passed, the council voted on the resolution as amended. The presiding officer called for the vote; the motion carried 4-1. The transcript records the final tally but does not specify which councilmember cast the lone opposing vote.

The council had met earlier in a closed executive session to discuss "litigation and personnel matters." Returning from that closed session, the presiding officer stated, "We are out of executive session. No official action was taken." That return preceded consideration of the resolution.

The resolution urges Judge Wingate to take unspecified actions concerning Jackson Water’s operations, billing practices and fiscal oversight; the resolution itself is advisory and does not bind a federal judge. The council did not put additional instructions to staff on the public record during the meeting.

The council adjourned after brief closing remarks. No next meeting date or formal follow-up on the resolution was recorded in the transcript.