Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. says he will recommend a pay increase for city employees at Monday’s regular meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, but a vote on the matter will not take place until after next week’s special election to fill the vacant Ward 1 alderman seat.

Flaggs said he has consulted with both the city’s human resources and finance departments and plans to implement the pay increases in three phases.

Phase one, Flaggs said, will include a pay increase for Vicksburg Police Department that will go into effect July 1.

If approved, the raise will include a pay increase of at least 3 percent for new officers. Incoming officers currently make $18.12 per hour/$40,407.60 per year. Flaggs said he will recommend increasing pay to $19 per hour/$42,370 per year.

Current officers, depending on rank and years, he said, will receive an increase of no less than a 2 percent pay increase.

Phase 2 of the plan would include an increase in pay for Vicksburg Fire Department and other city employees making under $50,000 annually and would go into effect October 1. Flaggs said fire department employees would receive an increase depending on rank and certification.

Flaggs said Phase 3 would include a 3 percent pay increase for all city employees making above $50,000 and would go into effect January 1, 2025.

Flaggs said the pay increases are expected to aid the city in recruiting and retaining quality employees, and remaining competitive with the private sector.