06/25/2026
Lance beat me to it. I am not going to reinvent the wheel - so I will share Lances post.
Lance will be a great asset to Jackson County Legislature!
📋 In case life got busy and you weren’t able to watch or attend, here are some key takeaways from the this week’s meeting of the Jackson County Legislature:
🚔 COMBAT Tax Renewal Heads to Voters
The Legislature held a public hearing regarding the renewal of the COMBAT tax.
Some key points discussed:
• COMBAT is one of Jackson County’s largest dedicated funding sources for violent crime prevention.
• The program supports:
* Law enforcement initiatives
* Violent crime prevention programs
* Illegal drug prevention efforts
• COMBAT has been operating in Jackson County for more than 30 years.
• County officials noted that the November 2026 election is the final opportunity to place this renewal before voters before the current authorization expires.
💭 Thoughtful Questions on Accountability
During discussion, Legislator Sean Smith raised important questions regarding how the county measures the effectiveness of programs receiving COMBAT funding.
While some outcomes are easy to quantify—such as the amount of fentanyl removed from our streets—he questioned how we evaluate, for example, prevention programs designed to stop drug abuse before it starts.
These are important conversations to ensure taxpayer dollars are being invested in programs that deliver measurable results.
✅ The ordinance placing the COMBAT tax renewal before voters passed unanimously. This will be on the November ballot.
🏠 Assessment Relief Update (Ordinance 6089)
Ordinance 6089, which would codify into law the tax credits and refunds following the 2023 property assessments was held for further consideration.
📅 A public hearing on the ordinance is planned for next week.
💻 Data Center & Battery Storage Moratorium
The Legislature approved Ordinance 6074, establishing a 180-day moratorium on data center and battery storage facility applications.
The purpose of the moratorium is to allow the county time to develop long-term policies, regulatory standards, and public notification requirements before considering future applications.
👀 What to Watch
• Public Hearing on Ordinance 6089 (Assessment Tax Credits & Refunds)
• Continued discussion regarding implementation of taxpayer relief from the 2023 assessment crisis
• Upcoming conversations regarding the COMBAT tax renewal before voters
I’ll continue following these meetings and sharing updates so residents can stay informed about the decisions affecting Jackson County.
