City will not raise taxes despite budget shortfalls

At today’s meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen the City of Vicksburg pledged to hold the financial line.

Mayor George Flaggs Jr. was adamant about cutting costs and freezing hiring to keep from increasing taxes. Earlier this week, the city was blindsided with a $1.3 million shortfall in tax revenue from Warren County. The shortfall was due to the Baxter Wilson Power Plant losing a turbine and 30 percent of its power to produce.  That reduction means the value of the plant reduced by 30 percent in taxable revenue, which then translated to lost income for the city.

From left, South Ward Alderman Alex Monsour, Mayor George Flaggs Jr. and North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield.

“We, the City of Vicksburg, have not raised taxes on our citizens in many decades,” South Ward Alderman Alex Monsour said.  “We will not this year either. “