Alderwoman urges unity in New Year

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — At the City of Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting held Monday, Jan. 5. Ward 2 Alderwoman Vickie Bailey opened the meeting by urging unity in Vicksburg and Warren County.

“Just looking for a prosperous New Year. It’s a restart for the City of Vicksburg to be more productive on somethings we’ve been assessing for the past six months. Looking for some changes, improvement, and prosperity throughout the City of Vicksburg as it relates to our residents and as well as our business community,” said Bailey. “Great things are in the mix and it’s going to take unity to do that so we are looking at residents, businesses, the entire City of Vicksburg, as well as the county needs to get on one accord so that we can be productive and have a prosperous New Year.”

Also during the meeting, Mayor Willis Thompson received a letter from a city resident who wished to express gratitude for the City of Vicksburg’s first responders for their caring and prompt attention following a vehicle accident. The city’s fire department and emergency services were praised by the mayor and aldermen.

The board then approved the following before going to executive session:

A. Approve the following Personnel Action Forms:

1. New Hire:

a. Police (4)
b. IT (1)
c. Community Development (1)

2. Re-Hire:
a. Police (1)

3. Retirement:
a. Public Works (1)

B. Authorize City Clerk to Transfer funds FROM the Separate Project Bank Accounts TO reimburse the City’s Water & Gas (pooled cash) Account for project expenditures as follows:

1. FROM Riverfront Development Project Fund Account TO Water & Gas (pooled cash) Account in the amount of $20,211.25

2. FROM Retaining Wall Projects Account TO Water & Gas (pooled cash) Account in the amount of $12,480.00

3. FROM Baseball Field Lighting Project Account TO Water & Gas (pooled cash) Account in the amount of $515.00

C. Approve the following requests from Sabrina Lynn on behalf of the Radio People for the Annual Chili for Children Cook-Off benefiting the Warren County Children Shelter and Vicksburg Family Development:
1. Approve sponsorship request in the amount of $500.00 pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended

2. Use of Washington Street Park from 10am-3pm on Saturday, February 7, 2026

D. Approve request from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Memorial Committee:
1. Complimentary use of the Ardis T. Williams, Sr. Auditorium on January 19, 2026 from 3:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. for the 40th Annual Memorial and Birthday Celebration in Honor of the work and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2. Sponsorship in the amount of $1,000.00 pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended
3. Greetings from Mayor Thompson during the program

E. Approve Sponsorship Application in the amount of $5,000.00 from Ashley Dawson on behalf of the Jester’s Ball Committee pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended

F. Approve Sponsorship Application in the amount of $499.00 from Jillian Norris on behalf of The Vicksburg Post for Warren Central Championship Edition pursuant to Section 17-3-1 and Section 17-3-3 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, as amended

G. Approve the following for payment:

1. Kimberly Michelle and Associates for professional grant writing services:

a. Invoice #1502 in the amount of $3,295.00

Routine Agenda:

A. Discuss Vicksburg Convention Center Updates

B. Authorize Mayor to Execute Agreement for the Purpose of the City Paying Tuition Cost for Employee to Obtain a Paramedic Certification:
1. Kyra Pritchard to attend Hinds Community College for A&P I & II in the Spring of 2026 followed by Holmes Community College for Paramedic Bridge Program in August 2026

2. Ahmad Stewart to attend Hinds Community College for A&P I & II in the Spring of 2026 followed by Holmes Community College for Paramedic Bridge Program in August 2026
3. Arthur Howard to attend Hinds Community College for A&P I & II in the Spring of 2026 followed by Holmes Community College for Paramedic Bridge Program in August 2026

4. Jana Colenburg to attend Hinds Community College for A&P I & II in the Spring of 2026 followed by Holmes Community College for Paramedic Bridge Program in August 2026
5. LeMichael Anderson to attend Hinds Community College for A&P I & II in the Spring of 2026 followed by Holmes Community College for Paramedic Bridge Program in August 2026

6. Kaleb Offord to attend Hinds Community College for A&P I & II in the Spring of 2026 followed by Holmes Community College for Paramedic Bridge Program in August 2026

C.Authorize Mayor to execute Letter to the USDA-NRCS, Area Engineer to request a Time Extension for the NRCS Highland Drive Project 5328 Agreement to the storm events dated March 15, 2025

The Board then moved to Executive Session to discuss the following items:

Status Change – Ambulance (1)

Promotion/Pay Adjustment – Accounting (1)

Longevity Correction – Fire (1)
Corrected Retro Pay – Police (1)

Termination – Parks & Recreation (1)

Discussion – Finance & Administration (1)