Board meeting addresses mayoral salary adjustment, nuisance properties

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — At the regular meeting held Monday, Oct. 20, the Vicksburg Board of Aldermen and Mayor addressed numerous topics including a salary increase for the mayor and nuisance ordinance violations.

Mayor Willis Thompson explained the previous administration voted to reduce the mayoral salary after losing in the seat to Thompson.

“They just couldn’t go gracefully,” Thompson explained. “I’m grateful to this Board and Aldermen for returning the salary to where it was.”

The increase returns the mayoral salary to $126,520.67 from the reduced rate of $106,520.67.

Additionally, the Board held a hearing to determine whether properties appearing on the Community Development Agenda were a public menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community.

The resident of 2112 Oak Street addressed the Board to explain his vehicle was in operation. According to city ordinances, an in operable vehicle must be covered or removed from the property. The resident was accused of having a truck visible in his front yard which didn’t operate.

“Come down to Oak Street and watch me drive it down the street,” said the resident.

Mayor Thompson explained because the truck had a flat tire it was assumed the vehicle couldn’t operate. The resident explained he could fix the tire and it wouldn’t be flat any longer.

“My problem is that it is in my yard. I know my truck runs, and it is in my yard. I should be able to have what I want in my yard,” said the resident. Additionally, the resident said he knew it was his neighbors across the street who continued to call and complain. He claimed the neighbors intentionally kept a manicured yard except for the portion directly in front of his home.

“They do it every summer. How is that fair?”, questioned the resident.

The Board approved all consent items on the agenda before moving to closed Executive Session to discuss the following items: longevity pay- ambulance; title changes in R.O.W, gas, and street departments; pay adjustments in sewer, water, cemetery, landscaping, and police departments; suspension pending termination in the fire department; discussions on police personnel matter, parks & recreation personnel matter, prospective purchase, sale, or leasing of land; and a litigation matter.

The next Board meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025.