The Vicksburg Housing Authority has officially gotten in line for a $888,000 of the $787 billion economic stimulus bill. The VHA Board of Commissioners approved a request for the funds on Tuesday.

In the resolution unanimously approved by the board, VHA Executive Director James Stirgus Sr. outlined several projects the money could fund, including:

* Reroofing all 150 homes in the Rolling Acres subdivision. The 270 other units at the VHA’s five properties were all reroofed following Hurricane Katrina, Stirgus said.

* Installing 860 dead bolt locks on all home and apartment doors, excluding those in Valley Court, which already have the locks.

* Repairing or replacing flooring and sub-flooring in all bathrooms at Waltersville Estates and Urban Court.

* Repairing or replacing all dormers at Waltersville Estates.

* Insulating water pipes and security lights in north end buildings at Waltersville Estates, where predominately senior citizens live.

* Installing additional insulation in all 430 homes and apartments, as well as in the VHA’s six community buildings.

Stirgus said he did not know the likelihood of the VHA receiving a cut of the stimulus funds, nor when notification would be given about any money awarded.

He did not estimate how much each proposed project would cost individually, but said $888,000 would not fund all of them on the list.

“I would suspect most of it would be spent (at Rolling Acres) on reroofing,” he said.

The VHA also might qualify for about $500,000 in federal funding this summer via the $410 billion spending bill recently signed by President Barack Obama.

Also Tuesday, the board elected officers. Jay Kilroy, who had been serving as interim chairman, was chosen to keep the position, while Christopher Barnett was elected vice president. Stirgus, by law, is also required to be board treasurer.

The commissioners also discussed compiling a list of potential changes to its bylaws and the VHA personnel policy for re-examination at its next regular meeting, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. on April 21.

Following the board’s decision last week to uphold Stirgus’ Feb. 9 firing of former VHA Manager Rita Cutley, Kilroy said the personnel policy needs an “overhaul.”

Cutley protested her termination during a hearing on March 6, and has since notified the VHA in writing that she is bringing a lawsuit against the VHA, City of Vicksburg and Stirgus for wrongful termination.

Commissioners present at Tuesday’s meeting were Kilroy, Barnett, Abraham Green and Charles Wright. Ella Lee — the only commissioner not replaced by the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Feb. 23 — was absent.

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Contact Steve Sanoski at ssanoski@vicksburgpost.com.