The City of Jackson Board of Aldermen approved the 2026 tax rates for general revenue, parks and recreation, cemetery and band taxes during its regular Aug. 18 meeting.
All 2026 property tax rates remain the same as last year, with the total property tax rate set at $0.8627 per $100 assessed valuation. The city’s budgeted property tax revenue is estimated at $2,805,988.
The property taxes are expected to raise $1,935,494 for the city’s general revenue fund, $406,138 for parks and recreation, $250,007 for the cemetery fund and $250,007 for the municipal band.
Assessed valuation in the city increased slightly from $325,292,325 in 2025 to $329,389,755 in 2026. The city saw a $2,568,735 increase in real estate assessed valuation, a $1,494,589 increase in personal property assessed valuation and a $34,106 increase in state assessed valuation.
The tax rates were passed by the board after a public hearing. No comments from the public were given.
In other action:
• The board approved infrastructure exceptions for the city’s newly-created EL-1 estate lot residential zoning districts. The exceptions were approved 6-1, with Alderwoman Wanda Young voting against the measure and Alderwoman Katy Liley unable to attend the meeting.
The new zoning distinction was first developed by the city’s economic development board as a bridge between more traditional suburban neighborhoods and agricultural areas, with the thought that larger-lot options may attract developers by reducing infrastructure costs.
The estate lots are required to be at least 1.5 acres and have a minimum lot width of 200 feet. The maximum lot coverage, including accessory buildings, is 20%.
The newly-approved infrastructure exceptions allowEL-1 subdivision streets to have open ditches or swales. Curb and gutters are not required. In addition, streetlights are only required at public street intersections.
The approved ordinance states that conventional gravity sewer systems must still be installed unless an engineering report shows that the installation of the system is not feasible. Feasibility of the system is determined by DNR. If a conventional gravity system is deemed not feasible, developers can install a low-pressure sewer system or an individual septic system.
Young, who also voted against the creation of the estate lot zoning districts in July, stated she was concerned about the impact the estate lots could have on future city expansion beyond the estate lots.
• The aldermen accepted the certified election results from the Aug. 4 primary, where the city’s new 5% transient guest tax passed with 58.31% support. The new tax on hotel and motel stays within the city limits, which will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027, will fund a dedicated tourism fund for the city.
The board also approved a memorandum of understanding with the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce related to the new tax.
The chamber will serve as the city’s non-profit administrator of the tourism funding.
The memorandum states that the chamber will serve as Jackson’s convention and visitor bureau. The chamber will be able to use the new tax revenue to fund destination marketing and advertising, tourism websites and social media, visitor guides and promotional materials, convention and meeting recruitment, tourism event coordination and other related tourism promotion activities.
The chamber will be required to prepare and submit an annual report and a proposed annual budget for the tourism tax funding, which will be reviewed and approved by the Jackson Board of Aldermen. Tax funding will be distributed to the chamber on a quarterly basis, after the chamber submits invoices for reimbursement of allowable expenses.
• The board officially approved an $84,236 contract with Nip Kelly Construction to complete emergency sewer repairs on East Jackson Boulevard near Harps supermarket. The board informally agreed to the emergency repairs during its last meeting on Aug. 3.
The repairs were needed after a significant sewer leak was discovered to be traveling through an existing storm sewer and reaching Goose Creek. Public Works Director Janet Sanders said the permanent repairs had been completed and reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
• The city submitted three bridge projects to the Missouri Department of Transportation for potential replacement. The bridges included the East Main Street bridge over Goose Creek, the West Main Street Bridge over Hubble Creek and the West Washington Bridge over Hubble Creek.
City Engineer Jeff Winders said MoDOT is unlikely to approve all three projects for the upcoming season, but hopefully will accept one or two of the bridges. “They are not in imminent danger, but it’s time to start planning to do something with these bridges,” he said.
Each of the three potential bridge replacement projects would cost around $1.3 million, but MoDOT would cover the majority of the costs if the projects were approved.
• The aldermen approved the abandonment of an existing utility easement at the location of Burns Mechanical’s proposed new HVAC business facility at the corner of Old Toll Road and Dotty Lane.
The proposed site plan requires the building to be located as far north on the property as practical to accommodate WB-67 semi-truck access to a loading dock on the south side of the building. As designed, a portion of the proposed building extends into the former utility easement.
Administrative Services Director Rodney Bollinger said there were no known utilities located within the former easement. “Based on our review, the abandonment request does not adversely affect existing or future utilities, the public infrastructure, drainage, access or any other municipal interest,” he said.
• The board accepted the dedication of a stormwater drainage easement deed from JDR Development, LLC, related to the extension of a drainage pipe at 3700 Ridge Road. The addition will extend the existing stormwater easement in Bent Creek Subdivision through the property to the back of the lot.
• The aldermen approved an encroachment agreement at 1404 Warren Lake Drive, allowing the installation of a private heated driveway system into the public right-of-way.
The agreement states that the city can remove the improvements at its expense, if necessary, but is under no obligation to repair or replace any heating components damaged if they are removed.
The owner is also required to hold the city harmless from claims arising from the installation, use or removal of the heated driveway and expressly waives any claim for damage resulting from lawful activity within the right-of-way.
• The board’s next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, due to the Labor Day holiday.
