The IHL board approved a leadership profile for Jackson State University's presidential search and unanimously voted to waive IHL policy 201.0510 so JSU's interim president may apply and be vetted with other candidates, the board said at a special meeting.

Council approved a five‑year commercial ad valorem tax exemption for 213 West Main Street (formerly the CREATE office), citing $1,000,000 purchase price and $804,363.17 invested in revitalization; the program freezes property taxes at pre‑redevelopment valuation.

Council approved several procurement awards (air curtain burner to Ingram Equipment for $205,758.80; tree/tree‑stump term contract to low bidder; Pathway Services recommended for pavement condition survey at 91.4% score), obligated $12,000 to a U.S. Marshals task force overtime fund, and adopted employee handbook changes reducing compensatory accrual limits while ensuring overtime pay at time‑and‑a‑half.

Mayor reported that XAI implemented temporary generators, a sound wall and equipment adjustments that reduced measured noise (decimal meter reading reported as low as 39.1); the board approved an MOU for XAI to fully fund $3,460,000 in State Line Road widening/resurfacing and scheduled continued public discussion on Jan. 6.

After years of enforcement and a 2023 unsafe-building finding, the board voted to proceed with condemnation of 7515 Highway 51 (Highway Baptist Church) under Mississippi Code 21-19-11 and tabled 938 Main Street (former Checkers) to Jan. 6 for interior inspection and a remediation plan.

The Jackson Public School District board approved a slate of vendor renewals, memoranda of understanding and a sales-parameters resolution to finance energy-efficiency projects; most items passed by unanimous voice vote.

Jackson Public Schools reported a 3.4% decrease in month‑1 enrollment for 2025–26 but said pre‑K enrollment rose and the district's total enrollment was reported at about 17,002 students; officials cited charter transfers and a Kaiser K12 partnership that located and recruited returning students.

During a regular meeting the board approved a Snorkel AI software agreement, renewed a University of Mississippi Medical Center partnership, approved an outcomes‑based math tutoring contract and authorized appraisal and other memoranda of understanding and amendments.

DMR staff told the commission existing commercial leases in effect before recent legislation will remain valid; staff reported about $3.7 million in funding secured for 2023–24, small awards to fishers, and 225 derelict-vessel cases with 195 removals and 30 pending.

The DMR advisory commission recommended approval of a variance allowing installation of a 1.35-mile living shoreline and rock breakwaters along Keesler Air Force Base and the adjacent VA Medical Center shoreline after staff concluded impacts meet regulatory criteria.

The commission reviewed multiple work assignments and contracts statewide, including a $878,462.25 supplemental agreement with APAC Mississippi for US 49 restorations, an independent cost-estimating contract not to exceed $974,530.04, and indefinite-delivery master contracts; a commissioner queried why North Mississippi appraisal firms had not joined a new appraisal master contract and staff said none had submitted applications.

The commission authorized a memorandum of agreement with the Jackson County Port Authority to contribute up to $2,000,000 for specified improvements at the Port of Pascagoula; the agreement replaces an expired 2022 agreement and requires subsequent execution and documentation.

The Mississippi Transportation Commission adopted an amendment to its 2026'2028 three-year plan to add preconstruction and construction funding for passing lanes on US 278 in Quitman County, with a combined cost estimate of $6,990,000 and further reliance on lottery funds if construction costs exceed that estimate.

The superintendent told the board that "some form of school choice will pass" the upcoming legislative session and warned local districts will need policies to handle transfers; the report also covered enrollment (about 1,747 funded students), discipline data, nutrition improvements and a near-term need for 3'4 used buses before new buses arrive in 2028.

Presenters proposed a targeted, last-dollar grant for adult learners enrolled in priority occupations, recommending wraparound supports and small pilot funding ($1M) with full rollout estimates of $8 M'0M annually depending on scale.

The Mississippi Community College Board told legislators the system serves 88,685 students and is requesting $28M for salaries, roughly $28.5M for operations, $5M to expand career-technical programs, $150M for repair/renovation and $2M for adult education in FY27.

IHL's facilities briefing summarized Gordian's assessment: about $2.7B in 10-year capital needs, $1.6B backlog, a system net asset value of 76%, and a recommended annual investment target near $130M; legislators discussed demolition authority and R&R budgeting.

Presenters urged expanding financial literacy beyond high school, linking timely instruction to career decisions, and creating a state-level borrower advocate; testimony cited Mississippi's high student-debt burden and delinquency rates.

State Treasurer David McRae told the Joint Universities and Colleges Committee the state's prepaid tuition and 529 plans have returned to healthy funding levels following investment-structure changes and intensified outreach; he provided enrollment figures and described modernized payment options.

Business and workforce leaders urged the committee to prioritize student work outcomes over degree counts; national advisers and Tennessee's commissioner described outcomes-based funding models, trade-offs and data demands; members raised concerns about winners, losers and protecting institutions that serve high-need students.

Legislative Budget Office and the IHL commissioner presented funding-formula history, recent allocations and university financial health. Members questioned why a prior NCHIMS formula was frozen and asked how to shield institutions serving high-need students while responding to an enrollment cliff.

Commissioners approved Spire's request to reinstate a supplemental growth rider that allows up to $5 million in investments over three years without project-specific commission approval; Spire representatives answered commissioner questions about likely sites, tap costs and safeguards.

Lake Carolina Homeowners Association sought to set aside Canton Municipal Utilities' rate increase and cancel certificates, arguing defective notice; CMU and staff said actual notice and publication were provided during a suspension period; legal staff recommended denial, and the commission denied the motion to intervene.

Commission staff recommended and commissioners approved Great River Operating Company's petition to buy wholesale water from Jackson County Utility Authority for four systems with long-standing discolored water and iron problems; JCUA will install interconnection infrastructure at no cost to Great River or customers.

The IHL board heard a two‑part presentation from NCHEMS that presented four conceptual funding models — base‑plus, per‑FTE, all‑performance, and a hybrid adequacy approach — and outlined trade‑offs, implementation levers and recommended stakeholder engagement across the eight IHL institutions.