City votes to amend charter concerning corporate officers

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The City of Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to amend the city’s special charter concerning the appointment of corporate officers at the regular meeting held Monday, July 20.

Vicksburg Mayor Willis Thompson explained he wanted to amend the charter prior to the vote.

“I put this on the agenda to go back to our original format of having the original five corporate officers: police, fire, city clerk, city attorney, and the city judge. Under the last administration it was changed to every division head had to be a corporate officer of the city, and I just don’t think that’s necessary,” said Mayor Thompson.

The Mayor said the change would open possibilities concerning recruitment for job positions.

“I think we need to be more open to being able to recruit staff. It kind of limits us with them being a corporate officer which held a residence requirement, which again, I just don’t think is necessary,” he said.

Mayor Thompson explained he just wanted to return to the original format of the city’s charter.

Ward 2 Alderwoman Vickie Bailey made the motion to approve the resolution, and Ward 1 Alderman Thomas “TJ” Mayfield seconded. The motion passed.

The resolution can be found below: