Jackson is looking for a new director of public works yet again after surprise resignation

After less than 11 full days on the job, Jackson's new director of public works, Khalid Woods, resigned Friday.

Woods was announced as the new director during a Jackson City Council meeting on July 18. Before he took the job with Jackson, Woods, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, was working as a deputy director of public works in Florida. He was replacing city engineer Robert Lee, who had been serving as public works director since May.

Lee returned to his previous job of city engineer after serving less than three months as public works director. Now, the city will begin a search for a third public works director this year.

Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote confirmed he had heard the news after speaking with Ward 6 Councilman and Council President Aaron Banks. Foote did not know the reason why Woods decided to resign but said he would like to find out.

"I think it would be helpful for us that drove him to come over here and then make an abrupt decision days later," Foote said. "It's embarrassing for the city."

Foote spoke on why he thought it has been such a challenge finding someone who will take on the job as public works director for the city. He said the future public works director faces major infrastructure issues, such as aging roads and bridges.

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He also called out Jackson mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba's administration for spending more time trying to "disqualify" Ted Henifin, the third-party water administrator in charge of fixing the city's water system, rather than focusing on other public works issues.

"They've chosen to spend their energy and executive time going after Mr. Henifin and the third-party manager program that was set up and agreed to in negotiations seven months ago," Foote said. "That's not the way executives are supposed to function. They're supposed to function on the things they're responsible for."

Jackson's director of communications, Melissa Payne, declined to comment on the resignation because it was a personnel matter. With respect to Foote's concerns about the mayor's priorities, Payne said, "Foote's response is premature and unfounded" because they do not yet know why Woods resigned.

Foote said the administration should be focusing not only on the public works department, but also issues with the police department and with the one-year emergency trash contract that was signed in April that is set to expire on March 31, 2024.

"I'm disappointed that their priorities are more on other things other than the remaining responsibilities in the public works department," Foote said.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS public works director, Khalid Woods, resigns