JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – With the Municipal General Election less than two weeks away, a hiring freeze is now in effect on all vacant positions in the City of Jackson.
The Jackson City Council voted 7-0 on May 20 to implement the hiring freeze. A majority of the vacant positions are within the city’s executive branch.
“The hiring freeze is something that we needed to do. There are only six weeks left in the term. And at this point, we can afford to do the hiring freeze, and we did it in the best interest of the city,” said Councilwoman Tina Clay, Ward 2.
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The freeze comes after Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba hired former Hinds County Supervisor David Archie for a position in the Office of Constituent Services. The mayor has a few weeks left in his term after losing the Primary Runoff Election to State Senator John Horhn (D-District 26).
The Council’s hiring freeze made exceptions for law enforcement and the fire department. They said budget concerns were also a key part of the freeze. Councilmembers want the next mayor to be able to make the changes they see fit for the future of the capital city.
“We need to work with whatever administration comes in to make sure that they can fully implement the things that they have been campaigning for,” said Councilman Vernon Hartley, Ward 5.
The hiring freeze will end on June 30, which is the day before the next administration will be sworn in. The Municipal General Election will be held on June 3.
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