Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen adopts civil emergency declaration

The Mayor of Board and Aldermen called a special board meeting Wednesday afternoon and adopted civil emergency declaration recommendations for the City of Vicksburg.

“I believe this is serious,” Mayor George Flaggs said. “I believe it’s the most serious matter that has ever hit this country.”

The requirements proposed by the declaration are designed to supplement the federal and state guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Starting Monday, March 23 through Tuesday, March 31, the following policies and procedures will be in place for The City of Vicksburg:

• Division Heads are designated the essential and non-essential employees for their respective departments. 
• A $500,000 personnel budget will be deducted from the $3 million reserve fund, if needed.
• The Department of Finance and Administration is to create a pay plan and credit all hours during the above-stated emergency work period in accordance with the following:
  • All employees who have been designated essential are expected to report to work unless any COVID-19 symptoms are confirmed cases affect them or their household. 
  • All employees designated non-essential may rotate work every two days if required by their supervisor
  • Essential hourly employees will be paid time-and-a-half for hours worked during this period
  • Non-essential hourly employees who do not work will be paid regular time during this period. If non-essential employees work, rotating in and out, they will be paid time-and-a-half. There will be no exchange of hours worked by employees unless approved by the Division Head.
• Meetings of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen should not include more than 10 people in the meeting room for the next 30 days. The Mayor will determine which 10 people will be permitted to be present, giving priority to division heads and the deputy city clerk. A Vicksburg police officer will escort people in and out as needed. Alternate viewing options include online streaming, VTV channels and the city of Vicksburg training room, which should also only contain no more than 10 people.  

“This civil emergency declaration will limit the hours worked by non-essential city employees and allow us to use money from our $3 million reserve fund to respond to the needs of our community,” Flaggs said. “Although we haven’t had any confirmed cases here in Vicksburg or Warren County up to this point, we’re continuing to be proactive and limiting the potential spread of this virus in every way possible.”