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Jackson County Council approves salary-ordinance amendment and advances multi-fund appropriations
Summary
The council approved Ordinance 2026B to raise the Prosecutor’s Victim Advocate salary and correct a deputy inspector pay rate, certified Family Medical Center’s tax-abatement compliance, and advanced a broad additional-appropriation ordinance covering public-safety and corrections funding.
Brady Riley, president of the Jackson County Council, opened the March 18 meeting and the council approved Ordinance 2026B, an amendment to the 2026 Salary Ordinance that raises the prosecutor’s Victim Advocate salary from $48,000 to $50,000 and corrects the Weights & Measures Deputy Inspector salary to $5,731.
County Prosecutor Lynsey Fleetwood proposed the Victim Advocate pay increase, telling the council the raise is fully reimbursed by a VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) grant and "will have no financial impact on the county." Fleetwood also answered council questions about the Victim Advocate’s responsibilities and job duties.
Jeff Hubbard presented the ordinance amendment combining the two salary adjustments. The council approved Ordinance 2026B on both readings. The first-reading motion passed with six yes votes; the second-reading motion also passed with six yes votes. Council President Riley abstained from all votes on Ordinance 2026B.
The council also reviewed and approved annual tax-abatement compliance paperwork for the Family Medical Center. The council recorded that the center exceeded its reported estimates: estimated employment 46 versus actual 51 employees and estimated total salaries of $2.9 million versus actual salaries of $5.2 million. With paperwork in order, the council approved the compliance motion unanimously.
Riley performed the first reading of Additional Appropriation Ordinance No. 1 (Council Bill No. 1), a multi-fund proposal that would allocate money across numerous departments and special funds. Notable line items in the ordinance include Statewide 911 supplies of $274,725; Community Corrections Project Income personal services of $1,656,400; Community Corrections other services and charges of $598,300; COVID-19 Health Department appropriations that include $75,000 for supplies and $150,000 for other services and charges; and several targeted grants and program funds for public defender, justice partners, and residential work-release programs.
Auditor Melissa Gray, Public Defender Alan Marshall, and Community Corrections Director J.L. Brewer briefed the council on the justification for each requested appropriation, explaining program needs and fund balances. On first reading the council approved the additional appropriation motion unanimously; the second reading was performed and approved as recorded in the minutes.
The council voted on several procedural items and routine motions during the meeting; the minutes show unanimous outcomes where noted.
The council adjourned and scheduled its next regular meeting for April 15 at 8:00 a.m.
