JACKSON MAYOR LAUDS NEW BUDGET BILLING PLAN

A budget billing option is now available to all our residential electric customers in good standing. Budget billing allows the customer to pay nearly the same electric bill for 11 out of 12 months a year. The monthly amount will be based on previous history. The 12th month will either be a catch-up or refund month.

I feel this optional program will be a great benefit to budget-minded families and people on fixed incomes. The council is continuing to consider ways for residential renters to participate in budget billing. To find out more about budget billing, call 243-3568. To sign up, come by city hall during normal business hours.

Congratulations to the Jackson High School girls basketball team on another great season. Coaches Ron Cook and Sam Sides and all the team members have much to be proud with a second place Class 4A state finish.

The local Optimist Clubs once again sponsored a highly successful Youth In Government Day. I was honored to speak at this event's luncheon and to meet so many talented young people.

The Jackson American Legion recently celebrated its birthday by hosting its annual banquet. Post 158 serves our community in many ways and we salute our local veterans for the service they give to our community and have given to our country.

Over 400 people attended the dedication and open house of our new city hall. Our entire community is proud of this new city hall facility that will serve Jackson for generations to come. When all the bills are paid, the city will have invested less than $900,000 in a building worth over $2.5 million. This is done through several years of planned budgeting and without any tax increase. All the citizens of Jackson have a vested interest in our city hall and we invite you to come by anytime with a question or comment, to obtain information or just to say hello.

The Jackson Public Library has completed its move the lower two floors of the west wing of city hall. This facility is very functional, but will still be restricted by severe tax limitations because of the 1965 state law that very much limits its funding. We will still be looking into a good long-term solution for our library. We certainly would appreciate any ideas you may have on how to accomplish this goal.

Spring is here, and with that improved weather will come the painting of our new Interstate 55 water tower, which will read: "Jackson -- Home of the Indians."

The council meets every Monday night at 7:30 at city hall. The public is always welcome.

Paul Sander is the mayor of Jackson.