A temporary contract with Compass Facility Management was approved by the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors at a special meeting Tuesday, during which a two-year deal was also presented.

The contract that goes into effect today will allow Compass access to the tourism-development agency’s records.

The plan is for the Iowa-based firm, within 45 days, to develop a management plan to propose to the board.

The contract was approved 6-2 with members Bobbie Morrow and Bobby Doyle dissenting. Members Tim Darden, Patty Cappaert, Lamar Roberts, Bill Collins, Bobby Bailess and David Maggio voted in favor.

Absent were members Jessica Williams, Jo Wilson and Omar Nelson, all of whom have voted against or questioned dealing with Compass in the past.

Tuesday, Morrow said she did not like the wording in the contract that said Compass was being hired for professional services.

&#8220We accepted applications for an executive director,” Morrow said. &#8220I would like to see that terminology changed to what we were getting applications for. Change professional services agreement to executive director.”

The board started advertising eight months ago for an executive, but opted in split December votes to explore a deal with the firm that now manages Vicksburg Convention Center and Vicksburg Auditorium to conduct ad campaigns and other promotions.

Morrow’s request for different wording was passed over.

&#8220What we’re trying to do here today is approve a temporary contract,” Bailess said. &#8220We’re not approving a two-year contract. I don’t see how it makes any difference what you call it.”

An addition was made at the request of Compass, Darden said. The addition says the VCVB agrees to provide full access to all its records to Compass and use its best efforts to direct staff to provide full cooperation to Compass.

Another change to the temporary contract pushes back the review period to March 1. Previously, the review period was to end on Feb. 1.

The contract states the review process, that includes review of administrative, financial, operations and marketing functions of the VCVB, will last until March 1 in anticipation of entering into a two-year professional services agreement on or around that date.

The contract states that Compass will not be paid except reimbursement for travel, lodging and supply expenses.

Sitting as the transition committee, which includes all members of the board, members also received a draft copy of a two-year contract.

&#8220I simply took the contract that Compass has with the City of Vicksburg and removed items that are not pertinent to the board,” Darden said. &#8220I have restructured this, however; this is not a finalized contract.”

Morrow made a motion to adjourn to give members time to look over the agreement.

&#8220I respectfully request we remove from this meeting and review the document,” Morrow said. The motion was approved by all the members.

Pending is a request for an attorney general’s opinion on the legality of contracting VCVB management. State Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg, made the request after saying he doesn’t believe the state legislation that created the VCVB allows such a move.

The initial legislation was passed in 1972 to create the agency, with board members appointed by city and county governments, and to fund its work with a 1 percent sales tax on motel rooms, restaurant and bar bills.

Compass is in the last year of a five-year contract with the city to operate its two meeting venues.

The VCVB board will hold a regular meeting on Jan. 26 at 5 p.m.