[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6392656,"mediaKeyId","2109568-8424536408b220b3b78e210a6bbac094","parentId",2109568,"title","Jackson council caps bond authorization at $26 million after heated debate over roads, Great Wolf Lodge and priorities","audioSeconds",2798,"startMs",1576000,"endMs",4374000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109568-8424536408b220b3b78e210a6bbac094&start=1576&end=4374","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109568-8424536408b220b3b78e210a6bbac094/thumbnail_1576000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6392656/Jackson-City/Madison-County/Tennessee/Jackson-council-caps-bond-authorization-at-26-million-after-heated-debate-over-roads-Great-Wolf-Lodge-and-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392656-6c1949d36bda595ce8aa0b42fb31a355/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443042&Signature=WweGHWWs6kvQ-mf4XVFv0fTznbzQ~KnCWOE8LYFMuCj8dyW67g8Imgpdt4sohgH7zNtkkzyzrpoeBiduBGyQ9rukPCG9revt2USIC4WTfvBVzhwvADIivnAYGZaDN2hr4Yd603DOjOiquNAtYYsxT6IdRXWkxFH0LbmFA2Y2XHXjghKosJdzf8wH0zWmKT9QxoSpbdq3MOGn4g5CWkNvdgm~fqfNsty7QZgupk00E0v29A3WVaorDAXYxIZ6AOOcTG8WnX8UFqrVpc4lxuuNeJyklaBxiCWXLcK5gv2~JBqQqE4HKrnxahVhYVpxoWX-Rh9TpQU1sAVHn3GcKN5tBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Jackson, TN","date","2025-01-07T00:00:00Z","article","Jackson City Council on Jan. 7 authorized the city to pursue general-obligation bonds not to exceed $26 million after a multi-hour debate that centered on road repairs, the proposed access road to the planned Great Wolf Lodge development and how quickly revenue-generating projects should move forward.

Council members voted 7 in favor, 1 opposed and 1 abstention to approve the final, detailed authorizing resolution after amending the original $36,300,000 cap down to $26,000,000. The amendment to reduce the cap passed earlier in the meeting and the council then approved the amended authorizing resolution by the same 7-1-1 margin.

The decision followed public comment in which multiple residents from northwest Jackson urged immediate investment in local streets. Resident Tracy King told the council the city had promised infrastructure improvements when the area was annexed and asked that the council \"honor the city's commitment to address and fund these infrastructure needs in Northwest Jackson.\" Several other residents — including Arnold Bruns, Deb Unruh and Trip Hice — described potholes, drainage problems and safety concerns along McClellan Road, Old Humboldt Road and other streets feeding fast-growing subdivisions.

The council heard from city staff and the city's municipal financial advisor, Lauren Lowe of PFM Financial Advisors, who explained how bond premiums work and that the city might need to sell less face-value in bonds than the cap to generate the requested proceeds. Lowe told the council, \"we would not advise the city to borrow money that you don't have eligible projects that this governing body has approved.\" She also said there is no penalty to the city for authorizing a larger cap and later choosing to sell less debt when projects and market conditions are finalized.

Council members split on the right approach. Councilmember Wallace argued for a lower cap, saying 26 million would cover capital requests in the current budget and signaled mistrust among some constituents about past spending. \"26,000,000 is more than enough to cover everything that's in that budget,\" Wallace said. Other council members, including members who supported the higher cap, warned that delaying or removing projects such as the planned Great Wolf Lodge access road and a turf/sports project could postpone revenue the city expects to capture from those developments.

During discussion, council members and staff agreed to schedule a short work session to identify and prioritize projects the bond proceeds would fund. Staff estimated that if the council finalized a project list within about four weeks, bond proceeds could be available as early as March, depending on market conditions and the rating-agency timeline.

Votes at a glance

- Initial and final authorizing resolutions for general-obligation bonds: amended cap set to $26,000,000; final detailed authorizing resolution approved (vote on amended final: 7 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain). The resolutions permit the city to pursue sale of bonds but do not obligate sale until the council approves a project list and final financing.

- Budget and capital motions approved (summary of items adopted during the meeting): fire donation recognized ($10,000 from Dixie) — passed 9-0; Police JAG grant revenue of $40,881 (split with Madison County) — passed 9-0; transfer for tandem truck $31,000 — passed 9-0; insurance recovery for traffic signalization $14,551 — passed 9-0; mental health court grant $115,000 — passed 9-0; JPD TLETA cost-sharing grant $36,000 — passed 9-0; sale-of-land revenue $1,550 (Great Wolf Lodge) — passed 9-0; $50,000 transfer for landfill/solid-waste environmental feasibility study — passed 9-0.

- Other adopted items: ordinance to allow single-stairwell multi-family dwellings pursuant to State of Tennessee Public Chapter 820 — adopted (vote recorded as passed); street acceptance for Windstone Section 6B — passed (tally recorded 8 yes, 1 abstain); authorization for an actuarial study on hazardous-duties supplemental retirement benefit — passed 9-0; contract award for a landfill transfer-station feasibility study to Gershman, Brittner & Bratton (GBB) — passed 8 yes, 1 abstain; resolution to apply for a state grant for AMP equipment — passed (vote 8 yes, 1 no). A proposed contract with Perris Creative Agency LLC for citywide marketing services failed on the council vote.

Why it matters

The council's decision sets an upper limit on borrowing while leaving room for a future, itemized project list and a later vote to actually issue debt. Councilmembers and residents framed the debate as a choice between immediate, visible local work on roads and infrastructure and investing in larger projects expected to generate future revenue. Several council members emphasized transparency and adherence to process as conditions for approving specific projects.

What happens next

City staff and council members said they will convene a work session to craft a prioritized project list tied to any bond issuance. Finance staff and the city's bond counsel will then work with rating agencies and underwriters to set sale timing and structure; staff estimated proceeds could be available in March if the council finalizes projects promptly and market conditions are stable.

Council and public remarks in context

Public commenters consistently urged prioritizing local street repairs in northwest Jackson, naming McClellan Road, Old Humboldt, Pipkin, Ashport and other neighborhood streets as in poor condition. At least one resident suggested using sale proceeds from a property transfer instead of borrowing. Councilmembers repeatedly stressed the need to finalize priorities and to show residents that the city will spend responsibly.

Ending

By approving a $26 million cap the council limited the city's near-term borrowing flexibility compared with the original $36.3 million request while preserving the option to issue only the debt needed for approved projects. The next step is a council work session to lay out the specific projects that would be funded and to allow staff to move ahead with rating-agency outreach and financing preparations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Jackson, TN January 7, 2025 Jackson City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Jackson City Council on Jan. 7 authorized the city to pursue general-obligation bonds not to exceed $26 million after an extended debate focused on road repairs, a proposed access road tied to the Great Wolf Lodge project and council priorities.","taxTitle","Jackson City, Madison County, Tennessee","taxId",5104,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6392651,"Council approves landfill feasibility study, actuarial study for first responders and other measures; marketing contract fails",41,4884000,4925000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109568-8424536408b220b3b78e210a6bbac094&start=4884&end=4925","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109568-8424536408b220b3b78e210a6bbac094/thumbnail_4884000.jpg","/articles/6392651/Jackson-City/Madison-County/Tennessee/Council-approves-landfill-feasibility-study-actuarial-study-for-first-responders-and-other-measures-marketing-contract-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392651-a6a92065759262023ab74b4a15d85c03/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443042&Signature=Z1f74oQvXUjz4qTq2Vj4snoQ7GQgk3LjNW4CenoXTcty3Lnkuw4oo0Ok~3F80oLZk8cLUgZFcaJcFjFSl-qsyOKF1G3K-BLRLtmLtCtVuzASVD6IugGqLjosIfZFGcVHbcSgmqS2S8U8hbYMkolj4PENKmoMTfYQ4068TbwmZm8a~FjLA1XXhWHjgiT9zdh0n5V7t6pFoK2ilOIt5s2SiG7fONCf6rBPjsVjICxuKZ3dT7a-HBQVFkTtHOppWGanycvxguEp6scg7vExalvqZq-Nk3zDRgChmbeo~jYRlvFL7VmT7UvuTvjDtiX836Pdc7aWffERbsYQhvCEXcy~fQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jackson City Council on Jan. 7 approved several smaller but substantive items that will shape city services and planning, including a transfer-station feasibility study for solid waste, an actuarial study tied to state changes in first-responder retirement benefits, and the acceptance of streets in a new subdivision. A proposed contract for citywide marketing services failed in council vote.

The council awarded a contract to Gershman, Brittner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB) to conduct a landfill transfer-station feasibility study, not to exceed $50,000. Staff said the study will assess feasibility, financial impacts and potential operating models and provide recommendations ahead of the expiration of the city's current solid-waste contract in late February. The motion to select GBB passed with a recorded tally of 8 yes and 1 abstention.

The council also approved a resolution authorizing an actuarial study to evaluate the cost and feasibility of providing a supplemental hazardous-duties retirement benefit for first responders after recent state changes to the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System. The item passed unanimously. The study is an early, low-cost step (staff said under $500) to learn potential long-term costs before the city considers benefit changes.

A proposed contract with Perris Creative Agency LLC for marketing services (one-year term with up to four city renewal options) failed on the council floor after questions about scope, rates and whether the city had evaluated other vendors. Staff and council members discussed that departments already had advertising budgets to use if outside services were needed; Perris's proposal included hourly and project rates. The motion failed; the council did not approve the contract at this meeting.

Other council actions

- Street acceptance for Windstone Section 6B (tally recorded 8 yes, 1 abstain) — staff will record accepted streets and add them to the city's maintenance inventory.

- Resolution to apply for a state grant to purchase equipment for the AMP venue — approved (tally recorded 8 yes, 1 no). The packet lists the local match amount.

- Contracting/payment questions raised: council asked staff to provide detail on a recent $744,000 payment line and to clarify an attorney-retainer vs. outside-counsel billing item that appeared in the city's payments.

Why it matters

The landfill transfer-station feasibility study is timed to inform a contract renewal decision and could influence long-term collection, recycling and disposal choices. The actuarial study on hazardous-duty benefits follows a state-level change and is an early step that will allow the city to weigh options with an actuarial cost estimate before policy decisions. The failed marketing contract means the city will either reconsider procurement, rely on in-house communications or pursue other vendors.

What happens next

Staff will execute the landfill feasibility contract and begin that study; the actuarial report for hazardous-duty benefits will be returned to council when complete. Council requested additional detail from staff on invoices and attorney billing to clarify recent payments.

Ending

Council members emphasized the need for documentation and adherence to procedure for high-profile projects, and several members asked that future items include fuller backup materials so the council and public can review proposed contracts and capital projects before votes.","At the Jan. 7 Jackson City Council meeting, members approved a landfill transfer-station feasibility study, an actuarial study for hazardous-duty supplemental retirement benefits, accepted streets in a new subdivision and voted down a proposed marketing contract. Several smaller budget and grant amendments also passed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Jackson council caps bond authorization at $26 million after heated debate over roads, Great Wolf Lodge and priorities

Council approves landfill feasibility study, actuarial study for first responders and other measures; marketing contract fails