(Jackson, Miss.) – The City of Jackson will host two virtual community discussions to gain valuable input on how the settlement money awarded to the City from the Siemens lawsuit can be allocated to best serve the people of Jackson.
The first discussion will be held this Saturday, June 20th at 2:00 p.m. An additional virtual discussion will be held on Monday, June 22nd at 6:00 p.m.
To join in on the discussion, log on to www.zoom.com.
Meeting ID: 343 365 7039
Password: 2324
Participants are asked to submit questions/comments ahead of time via email to media@jacksonms.gov.
Earlier this year, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba announced the city had settled its case with Siemens Industry, with Siemens agreeing to pay the city $89.8 million.
The city outlined its initial plans for the settlement funds earlier this year.
Of the amount, around $30 million will go to attorneys’ fees; at least $15 million will go toward reimbursing the city’s general fund for water/sewer expenses; $7 million will go to repay an emergency water loan issued last year: and between $12 million and $17 million will go toward rebuilding the city’s water/sewer enterprise fund’s reserves.
Once the dust settles, Jackson will have between $20 million and $25 million to address remaining problems with its water/sewer billing system.
The city council approved using a portion of that money, about $1.6 million, to conduct an economic development study for U.S. 80. However, the mayor vetoed it.
