Jackson sets budget after ‘scraping every couch cushion’ for firefighting money

The Jackson City Council adopted a budget Friday that is nearly 20% smaller than last year’s after confronting the reality that the city lacks the money to fully fund some public safety services. The council voted 5-1 in favor of the $337-million budget for the budget year that begins Oct. 1, including a $113 million general fund that will mostly be spent on services such as police, firefighting and public works. Jacskon City Councilmember Montyne “Tina” Clay of Ward