Mississippi’s capital city has delayed its plan to raise water utility rates amid a debate over the proposal. JXN Water, which manages the city’s water system, will now allow the City of Jackson access to its financial records to review the billing system and revenue collections.
The agreement, made by an accountant contracted with the City, does not allow for public disclosure of the information outside of specific individuals, including the Mayor and City Council. This will delay JXN Water’s plans to start notifying customers about a 12% rate increase initially planned for January 2026.
The review process, expected to take until mid-December, aims to aid the City in evaluating an appropriate rate for residents. However, this delay pushes back JXN Water’s goal of having its water and sewer systems in good financial standing by 2029. The company is missing out on at least $1 million a month in revenue that could have been generated from the proposed rate increase.
JXN Water must notify customers at least 30 days before implementing a rate change, according to federal regulations. The delay has sparked concerns among officials and experts, who argue that delaying the rate increase pushes back the agency’s progress towards long-term sustainability.
Source: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/jackson-water-rate-increase-decision-delayed-again-as-city-reviews-utilitys-financial-records