Jackson, Mich. (WKHM) — The Jackson City Council approved a Phase II of the Department of Equity and Inclusion’s Racial Equity Audit with CNA Corporation as a partner at a $175,000 price divided between the next two fiscal years. This expands the audit to include all city departments.
Chief Equity Officer John Willis explained why it was felt that an outside firm was needed, and why the audit could not have just been done internally.
Approval for Phase II passed 6-1, with Councilmember Christy May Davis as the lone no vote citing constituents from her Ward 5 wanting money spent in other areas like roads.
The council also approved the selling of up to 13 residential City-owned lots to VMG Construction for the purpose of building more housing, with City Manager Jonathan Greene saying that they want to build more homes as fast as possible.
It was also approved by the council for the Boos Center to receive extra work including:
- Entrance modifications for handicap accessibility
- Additional classroom and office space
- Replacing doors
- Addition of water fountain and kitchen plumbing updates
- Exterior façade work
- And some interior demolition to remodel and repurpose existing areas.
The contract for the addition was given to R.W. Mercer for approximately $700,000.
A review committee of three councilmembers was established to help city staff review three responses to receive $275,000 worth of opioid settlement funds to deliver treatment services and housing for people in recovery from Substance Abuse Disorder.
During his comments, Mayor Daniel Mahoney announced that he does not plan on running for reelection in 2026.