JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes, Ward 3, said the city will have to make some hard choices this budget season.

The councilman proposed a resolution to support the reorganization of city departments and personnel to be more budget-friendly. He said the capital city needs to cut the fat out of the budget, adding that the city has too many department heads.

Stokes wants to see that money go towards the Jackson Police Department (JPD). Jackson Mayor John Horhn said the city is looking into the federal COPS program to help with officer pay.

“In order to do that, you cannot supplant them. It means you can’t put federal money in place of sediment that’s been committed. So, we are, as part of that strategy, are going to be reducing the number of, we call them peons at state government, with the number of slots that the police department will have on its books,” the mayor said. “And that way it will give us justification to go after the federal money. And that way we’re helping the federal government, having the federal government help us pay for our public safety officers.”

Stokes’ resolution passed unanimously during Tuesday’s council meeting.