Officials with JXN Water have not said how much the rate increase will be. Interim Third-Party Manager Ted Henifin said they’re not asking for more but enough. He believes this will ensure JXN Water maintains its current pace of operations and maintenance.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba said residents cannot afford a rate increase.

“I think those residents that will experience hikes in their bill will feel like you’re asking for more. Right? At the end of the day, they you know, they can’t go. Those that are on set, incomes like the lady that I met at our senior center at West Side in West Jackson or in South Jackson, who was talking about how her bill had increased. And she has a $600 bill, and she lives alone. It’ll certainly feel like more to her,” the mayor said.

The City Council must approve any rate adjustment proposed by JXN Water.