Selma City Councilwoman Miah Jackson is still getting ready to present the need for a financial policy and manual for the city. She said in numerous other interviews that she would do this, and we are anxiously waiting for her to take the next steps.

Having a policy and procedure manual in place is important for any type of organization especially in any type of government entity.

The lack of an adopted policy for finances is concerning because this means there is no set way that any type of income the city has is handled.

“The finances of the city are in shambles,” Jackson said at a neighborhood watch meeting in Old Towne at the end of June. “We don’t have a policy procedural manual. We don’t have policies or procedures, and that leaves us without transparency. One or two people in the office has procedures they follow, and nobody else knows about it. Without structure, we can’t really continue with budget processes and being fiscally responsible in the matter that we need to be. We do not have a reserve, and we are a little short-sighted in the way that we handle our finances. I came into this office in November 2016, and I found out in May 2017 that we did not have a financial policy and procedure manual in place.”

Policy making requires political wisdom, diplomacy, and prudence to bring diverse community interests together around a shared purpose. It is the combination of basic decisions, commitments and actions made by those who hold authority or affect government decisions.

Our council must enforce a type of policy especially as to how our finances in the city are handled.

We hope that the rest of the council will be on board with Jackson in forming this important piece of government management.