News
Proposal to keep NRoute operating is still on the table – Mayor Thompson
Vicksburg Mayor Willis Thompson confirms that a proposal to keep NRoute operating is under review. The Claiborne County Human Resources Agency aims to take over operations, potentially offering expanded services and reduced costs for the city.
Last updated:
VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Vicksburg Mayor Willis Thompson says a deal to keep NRoute operating and keep the current employees is still on the table.
NRoute held a meeting with its staff last night to inform them operations would cease at the end of the day on Friday.
“They told us they were holding a meeting last night, but didn’t tell us what it was about,” said Thompson. “The City wasn’t a part of that meeting.”
The City has helped fund NRoute for several years. NRoute operates as a separate entity from the City with its own Board and Executive Director. Long time director Evelyn Bumpers retired at the end of 2025 but stayed on for a couple of months as an advisory role to assist.
After Bumpers left, bills were not being paid, including employee insurance and PERS, the retirement program for the State, even though the deduction was coming out of employee checks.
“We knew the bills needed to be paid, but we didn’t know how to do it,” said NRoute Board Member Bobbi Bingham Morrow at a meeting held last week with Vicksburg leaders.
“We’ve offered support and suggestions to the NRoute Board for some time,” said Mayor Thompson. “But never got a clear answer on how many trips and things like that to make a decision.”
According to Thompson, the City provided additional financial assistance to NRoute including paying them three months in advance.
“A few weeks ago they asked the City for $50,000 to make it to October 1, but they decided to close. I don’t know any more than anyone else on why they decided to close,” said Thompson.
A last minute proposal made by the Claiborne County Human Resources Agency to take over the operation of NRoute as a satellite program is currently under consideration.
“We have to do our due dilligence on the new proposal,” said the Mayor.
The proposal would expand NRoute services to include weekends and provide trips outside the county.
“What’s being proposed is stabilized management from a group with a working model since 1981, and they serve several other counties. They want to make Vicksburg a satelite location. It would definitely be better, management wise, and may get extended services for a lower cost,” said Thompson.
The City is currently providing over $200,000 annually to NRoute along with providing a building, utilites and some matching expenses. The new proposal is projected to cost the City $180,000 per year.
The City met with the Claiborne County group on Thursday, Sept. 17, without the NRoute Board in attendance.
“It’s on the table, the City needs to review it,” said Thompson. “A decision will be made soon, before October.”
Even if a decision is made to accept the proposal, the Mayor cautioned it won’t be an immediate transition and there will be a period of time which NRoute will not operate.
