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Council approves $14.4 million claims docket amid questions on Entergy bills and sanitation reimbursements
Summary
The council approved a claims docket totaling $14,424,534.86, with CFO Jillian Caldwell identifying major bond payments and large vendor claims; members discussed Entergy invoices and amended the docket to remove one vendor's invoices pending further verification and to shift fund sources pending reimbursement from Jackson Water.
The Jackson City Council approved a claims docket on Feb. 10 totaling $14,424,534.86. CFO Jillian Caldwell reported the four largest claims: two US Bank general obligation refunding bond payments (about $3,000,997.75 and $2,430,000), a $870,573 payment to Richard Disposal Inc. for monthly landfill service, and an $838,575 payment to APAC Mississippi Inc. for resurfacing McDowell Road. The order to approve claims was moved, seconded and considered on the floor.
Several councilmembers questioned a recurring Entergy utility charge and asked why Entergy did not appear among the listed "large claims," prompting the CFO to explain that Entergy charges are spread across multiple invoices and did not exceed the large-claims threshold on the docket. Peter Taberson, CAO, clarified Entergy charges include a recurring streetlight invoice between $365,000 and $375,000 plus other facility utility charges.
Councilmember raised an objection to the vendor GNG Enterprises, noting no clear match in the Secretary of State registry; the council voted to remove GNG's invoices from the claims docket. Councilmember Parkinson moved to amend the claims docket so items designated to come from fund line 9 be paid from any available funds excluding the council's budget, with the intent to reimburse fund line 9 when Jackson Water remits sanitation payments. The amendment was seconded and approved; the claims docket as amended was passed (roll call recorded as 6-1 on the docket vote).
City Attorney Drew Martin said the city expects to receive its first reimbursement from Jackson Water in the coming days (payment cycle described as 45 days); if the payment is not received, the administration said it would pursue remedies with the judge. Councilmembers expressed concern about sanitation costs, garbage collection contract size and the strain on the general fund if reimbursements are delayed.
Next steps: the administration will monitor expected reimbursements from Jackson Water and report back if payments are delayed; council asked for follow-up on utility charges and options to re-bid sanitation contracts.
Attribution: quotes and figures are taken from remarks by CFO Jillian Caldwell, CAO Peter Taberson and council debate during the Feb. 10 meeting.
