The city of Jackson, Mississippi, officially has a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). On Tuesday, the City Council approved Mayor John Horhn’s nomination of Jillian Caldwell, marking a major step in strengthening the city’s financial leadership.
Caldwell, who has dedicated over 20 years of service to the city, takes over from Fidelis Malembeka, who recently left to pursue another position. The council confirmed her appointment with a 6-0 vote, praising her qualifications and experience.
Council Members Raise Key Concerns
While Caldwell received unanimous support, council members emphasized the importance of addressing longstanding financial challenges.
Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote asked how she plans to improve the timeliness of annual audits, noting delays that have affected the city’s credibility.
“We’ve struggled to get our audits completed on time, and it really hurts our effectiveness as a city,” Foote said.
Similarly, Ward 5 Councilman Vernon Hartley urged Caldwell to improve vendor payment processes, which have caused frustration among suppliers.
“We must build confidence with outside vendors,” Hartley said. “They need to know we’re serious about doing business properly.”
Caldwell’s Vision for Financial Reform
Caldwell outlined a clear plan to modernize and stabilize the city’s financial systems. If appointed, she said her priorities would include:
| Focus Area | Goal |
|---|---|
| Fiscal Processes | Streamline daily operations for efficiency |
| Internal Controls | Strengthen oversight and transparency |
| Workflow Systems | Simplify procedures and improve accountability |
| Audit Readiness | Prepare financial data year-round for timely reports |
She stressed the need for daily preparation to ensure audits can be completed efficiently.
“The problem is we wait until the end of the year,” Caldwell explained. “We need to do more every day to be ready for those reports.”
A Long Career in Public Service
Since joining the city in 2005 as an accountant, Caldwell has gained experience across nearly every financial function.
“I’ve worked in payroll, accounts payable, grants, budgeting, purchasing, and treasury,” she said. “Public service is in my family, and I look forward to continuing that tradition.”
Caldwell’s educational background reflects her dedication to finance and management. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Jackson State University in 2005 and completed her MBA from Mississippi College in 2009.
Before becoming an accountant, she worked as an intern in the Public Works Department, managing parking meter revenues—a role that began her long relationship with the city. Her husband now serves as the Deputy Director of Public Works.
Over the years, Caldwell advanced to Assistant Financial Manager in 2016 and later became Controller, earning widespread respect for her leadership and attention to detail.
Mayor Horhn Confident in Caldwell’s Leadership
Mayor John Horhn expressed strong confidence in Caldwell’s ability to lead the department effectively. He announced that new measures would be implemented under her leadership to ensure faster audit recovery.
He also shared encouraging news that the city’s 2023 financial report is expected to be completed by the first week of November, thanks to renewed cooperation with its accounting firm.
“We’re moving forward quickly,” the mayor said. “I don’t want us sitting here next year waiting on the 2024 audit.”
With Caldwell’s appointment, Jackson now has only two unfilled department head positions — Chief of Police and Parks and Recreation Director.
A national search continues for the next police chief, with Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones currently serving on an interim basis. Mayor Horhn noted that an announcement for the Parks and Recreation role is expected next week.
“We’re close to naming a director,” Horhn added. “We had some applicants back out, but we’re moving forward with our first choice.”
