Presently in the city there exists a number of boards and commissions engaged in planning for specialized and specific fields. The purpose and intent of these boards and commissions are to have input from citizens who represent each ward concerning the effect the department decisions will have on the community and the city. One of the most important considerations in connectios authorized by the Code of Ordinances to confirmn with the duties of these divisions is to engage in planning for the development of the city and its entire metropolitan area.
Under the Mayor-Council form of government, the Code of Ordinances vests the Mayor with the power to appoint all members of any board, authority or commission with confirmation by a majority of the City Council members present and voting.
Capitol City Convention Center Commission was created to explore the feasibility of locating a convention center in downtown Jackson. The committee will also identify stakeholders, recommend financing strategies, and develop a timeline.
Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals hears and decides appeals and request for variances from the Standard Building Code. Persons serving on this Board should have knowledge and experience is the technical codes, such as design professionals, building contractors, industry representatives, and two alternates serving one year terms, one from the building industry at large and one from the general public. This Board consists of seven (7) members, serving four year terms.
Civil Service Commission was created to provide functional, orderly, and uniform systems for the administration of civil service on the basis of merit, efficiency, and fitness; to assure citizens of capacity and ability an equal opportunity to compete for positions in public service; and to increase the efficiency of the governmental departments by the improvement of methods of Personnel administration. This commission consists of three members serving six year terms.
Electrical Examining Board was created to conduct examinations for the issuance of an electrician's license, receive complaints, conduct hearings, revoke licenses, make investigations and recommend to the city council from time to time amendments and changes in electrical regulations and procedure. This Board consists of three Master Electricians, two Professional Electrical Engineers, one representative having business or technical training and experience other than an electrical contractor and one from the public at large, each Ward represented, serving three year terms.
Fire Board of Adjustment and Appeals hears and decides appeals and request for variances from the Standard Fire Prevention Code. Persons serving on this Board should have knowledge and experience in the technical and standard building codes, such as design professionals, building contractors, and industry representatives. This Board consists of seven members, serving four year terms.
Flood Plain Management Board of Review and Appeals hears and decides appeals and request for variances from the requirements of the Flood Plain Ordinance. This board is comprised of persons from the areas of engineering, architecture and construction. This is a seven member board serving three year terms.
Historic Preservation Commission implements, provides for, plans to conduct or causes to be conducted, studies and surveys of architectural, archeological, cultural and historic resources within the city. The Commission recommends to the city the adoption of ordinances designating landmarks, landmark sites, and historic districts. The Commission reviews applications proposing erection, alteration, restoration, demolition, or moving any landmark, landmark site or building within a historic district and shall approve or deny certificates. The Commission is authorized to apply for, receive, hold and spend funds from private and public sources. Members of the Commission should have expertise in the fields of architecture, history, urban planning, archaeology or law. This is a seven member Commission with two at large members, serving three year terms.
Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Board was created to oversee all matters concerning the airports under its jurisdiction, the Jackson International Airport and Hawkins Field. The Board consists of five members, serving five year terms.
Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau Board was created to oversee the convention and tourism business for the City of Jackson. This board is authorized by Senate Bill #3080 and is composed of representatives from the Hotel, Restaurant and Entertainment industry. This is a nine member board serving four year terms.
Jackson Redevelopment Authority Board of Commissioners is the governing Board for all Urban Renewal Projects. This includes the rehabilitation, conservation and redevelopment of areas of Jackson as is necessary in the interest of the public health, safety, moral and welfare of the residents of the city. This is a seven member commission serving five year terms.
Jackson Public Schools Board of Trustees is the governing authority of the Jackson Public School district. This is a five member board serving five year terms.
Jackson Housing Authority is a quasi-public body whose primary function is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for low-income families. A five member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council to serve five year staggered terms is the governing authority. The housing authority owns and manages three housing developments: Whiterock Homes, Willow Grove Apartments and Golden Key Apartments. The Housing Authority is the contract administrator for seven Section 8 developments Metro Manor, Belhaven Manor, Apple Manor, Berwood Apartments, Lakeview Manor, North Hills Apartment and Rebelwood Apartments. This is a five member commission serving five year terms.
Jackson Metro Parkway Commission is an inter-local cooperation commission authorized by Senate Bill 3076, by the City of Jackson, Hinds County, and Jackson State University, to fulfill its statutory role to facilitate the implementation of the Metro Park Project and to advise the State Bond Commission regarding the necessity of issuing bonds. The City of Jackson has five members on this committee.
Jackson/Hinds Library System Administration Board was created to supervise the care and custody of all library property; it has employment and dismissal authority over all Library personnel. It establishes salaries, and submits an annual budget to the governing authority. This board has exclusive control of the system's finances, accepts gifts to the library, does all purchasing, disposal of all library materials and does other acts necessary for the orderly and efficient management and control of the Library system. This is a seven member board serving five year terms.
Municipal Election Committee is responsible for conducting all municipal special and general elections. This is a seven member committee serving four year terms.
Mechanical Board was created to conduct examinations, grant licenses, receive complaints, conduct hearings, revoke licenses, make investigations and recommend to the city council amendments and changes in plumbing, gas and air conditioning regulations and procedure. This is a ten member board serving three year terms.
Planning Board was created to bring about coordinated physical development in accordance with present and future needs of the city to assist the city council in preparation of and extension of an official plan through the authority of the city council. To create a better more healthful, convenient, efficient and attractive city environment, to lessen congestion in the streets, to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers, to provide adequate light and air; to prevent overcrowding of land; to avoid undue concentration of population; and to facilitate adequate provisions for transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public requirements in accordance with a carefully thought out comprehensive official plan to serve both present and future needs of the city. The members of this board preside over all zoning matters. This is a fifteen member board serving four year terms.
Traffic Calming Committee was created to oversee the selection, implementation, evaluation, and removal of traffic calming devices within the City of Jackson, after reviews and recommendations from the staff. the Committee is responsible for holding public hearings and must develop and maintain a sample list of acceptable traffic calming devices used in the City of Jackson. This is a seven member committee serving three year terms.
Vicksburg/Jackson Foreign Trade Zone, Inc. was created to establish, maintain and carry on a program of economic development and to assist the growth, development and international competitiveness of business firms in Mississippi. The Board is the Grantee of privilege to establish, operate and maintain a foreign-trade zone at, among other sites, the Port of Vicksburg and the Jackson International Airport. This committee consists of thirteen members five who represent the City of Jackson serving four year terms.
THE MAYOR'S AD HOC COMMITTEES
The Mayor has created several committees, which are intended to help him reach his goals and complete his agenda. These committees are comprised of private citizens who volunteer their services to the Mayor for a specific project. Each committee reflects the make up of the City of Jackson and continues as long as it is necessary to reach the objective. Any citizen who is interested in public service and wants to serve on the committees below should contact the Mayor's Office.
The Mayor's Disability Advisory Committee was created to insure that the citizens from the disabled community could have representatives to voice their concerns about the City of Jackson. This committee is comprised of six citizens from the disabled community. The committee meets quarterly with the Mayor's Office to express any concerns that have been brought to their attention and to make a contribution, from the disabled community, to making Jackson the "Best of the New South."
Jackson 2022 Bi-Centennial Celebration Committee was created to provide coordination and act as a clearinghouse for diverse activities which may be undertaken by a variety of organizations in celebration and recognition of the City's 200th Birthday.
