JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Jackson City Council passed a resolution to give Mayor John Horhn the authority to consolidate departments in order to make the city more efficient.

The resolution passed earlier this week and gives the mayor’s office the right to eliminate or combine the number of departments within the capital city’s budget.

“Those divisions would shift. For example, right away, instead of being in Parks and Rec, that’ll go to Public Works divisions and money shift, department heads are gone. The upper level, the fat in the budget is cut,” said Councilman Kenneth Stokes, Ward 3.

Officials said the city used to have more than 3,000 city employees just over a decade ago. Now, the city has less than 2,000.

“It was really important for us to make sure that we’re right sizing our government, making sure that, you know, we’re working smarter and making sure that we’re using the people’s dollars as best as possible,” said Councilman Brian Grizzell, Ward 4.

Grizzell said Horhn brought the idea up during budget talks before the Council passed a nearly $330 million budget this week.