“What's at the core of it is governance,” said Horhn. “We will not sign an agreement that takes the majority of control away from the city of Jackson. We have that authority. We own the asset. We're responsible for the debt.”
The water system has been maintained through third party manager Ted Henifin after federal oversight was ordered following the 2022 water and sewer crisis. Horhn emphasized his administration is open to the state playing a role, but is concerned about what this could mean for Jackson’s autonomy.
“Without the city having the majority of control, it tends to harken back to an old narrative. That we don't know how to handle our business,” he said. “We think just the opposite. We put a good team together, and we believe that the city is in a good position to manage its affairs and should be given the authority to do so.”
The mayor believes similarly about control of the airport. State officials and the city are headed towards a federal trial due to start June 15 that will determine if the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority will be dissolved and replaced with a regional authority.
“Again, we own the asset,” said Horhn. “We put the money in over the years. We put in excess of $200 million. The state has, on occasion, prior to 10 years ago, provided financial resources to the city, but most of our non-city support has come from the federal government and not state government.”
Horhn said he understands that Mississippians outside of Jackson may believe its public safety concerns and image are out of control.
“We have requests in to the federal government for help on blight elimination. We're scouring the landscape for foundations as well as corporations that might are helping us with public safety, helping us with infrastructure, helping with housing. Helping us with the unhoused,” said Horhn. “I mean, we have a plethora of issues and challenges in front of the city. We need all the help we can get, both in terms of finding the manpower and the intellect, but also the financial resources.”
The city has a shrinking tax base and although crime has decreased, statistics continue to be concerning. Horhn believes the capital city’s success affects everyone in the state.
“It's okay to point out some of our challenges,” he said. “But there are so many wonderful things going on in Jackson, Mississippi. What tends to happen is we let other folks tell our story and we don't tell it as well as we perhaps should.”
Horhn said Jackson has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to combine the city's resources with the manpower of Hinds County to continue to address one of the city’s biggest issues.
“On average, we're filling about 2,500 potholes with the help of Hinds County right now,” he said.
