[9/25/04]The City of Vicksburg will soon begin accepting credit cards for payments on fees, utility bills and police fines at various departments.

The Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Friday to enter into an agreement with BancorpSouth bank to begin taking payment by credit card at the police department and City Clerk’s Office. The city already approved a similar agreement to accept credit cards at the water and gas administration office.

“The City of Vicksburg is moving forward and becoming a modern organization,” said Mayor Laurence Leyens. “We’re just trying to make it more accommodating for the public.”

City officials could not say exactly how long it will take to get the system fully operational, but said that when they do they will be accepting Visa, Mastercard and debit cards for payment. The new system will also allow the city to verify checks before taking payment the same way most retail stores do it.

City Accountant John Smith said that adding the service to those city offices will not cost anything, because it is part of the deal with the bank which holds most of the major city accounts.

The Warren County Tax Assessor’s Office also accepts credit cards for tax payments and has been for the past two years.

In other matters the city board:

Approved the board meeting minutes from Sept. 7 and Sept. 10.

Appointed two new police officers, Carl Horn and Roy Hall II.

Approved a $300 advertisement for the Miss Vicksburg and Miss West Central Mississippi pageants to be held Nov. 13 at the City Auditorium.

Approved a $100 advertisement for the Mississippi Children’s Home Services golf tournament.

Approved recommendations from the Zoning Board of Appeals to change zoning on two properties.

Approved a $123 advertisement for the Vicksburg Poetry Slam Competition on Nov. 16 at the library.

Approved the purchase of plaques for the Kings Community Center and the Ellis Building.

Approved upgrading of the security system at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

Approved bank letters.

Approved the claims docket.

The city board will meet again at 10 a.m. Oct. 4 at City Hall Annex.