Aldermen Sid Beauman and Michael Mayfield on Tuesday refused to sign off on a transfer of about $350 to allow Mayor Paul Winfield to travel to Washington, D.C., next week to participate in a two-day summit on community service.

“We have a budget that is set for conferences and travel, and to allow you to go on this trip would mean we’d have to move some monies around to do that, and I don’t agree with that,” said North Ward Alderman Mayfield, who added he had no qualms with the event or Winfield’s ability to represent the city. “I’m not going to start the process of moving money around for travel.”

Winfield said he intends to make the trip, slated for Tuesday-Sept. 17 with two days of travel factored in, even if it means the money will come out of his own pocket. The estimated cost of the entire trip is $2,113.40, but there’s only $1,759 left in the administration’s conference and travel budget, said City Accountant Doug Whittington.

“This is a great opportunity for Vicksburg to have a city mayor participate as a panelist in a discussion of this type, and it can potentially bring some significant federal monies to our community — and also give us some positive national coverage,” the mayor said. “To me, it’s a no-brainer… and it’s something I intend on doing with or without this board’s approval.”

About $9,000 was budgeted for conferences and travel by the administration at the outset of the current fiscal year ending Sept. 30, but an additional $3,700 has been added since. Following the meeting, Winfield said he did not know if he would foot the entire bill for the trip or just the $350 that is not left in the budget.

The National Service Capitol Hill Day annually brings together elected officials from cities across the country and legislators to discuss funding of community service initiatives. This year, participants will urge legislators to fully fund the Corporation for National and Community Service at $1.42 billion — a 23 percent increase for the agency.

In July, CNCS Executive Director Patrick Corvington — who was appointed by President Barack Obama in February — visited Vicksburg to kick off a 12-city nationwide tour to discuss the agency’s five-year plan to expand volunteer funding and opportunities. Winfield said it would be a “slap in the face” to the CNCS and Corvington to deny the summit invitation.

Furthermore, the mayor reminded the aldermen they have approved many budget amendments and transfers, and equated the transfer of funds as a “stroke of a pen and push of a button.

“There’s nothing illegal about it,” Winfield continued.

“I don’t think anybody is questioning whether or not it’s legal,” responded Beauman, who did not otherwise comment on why he wouldn’t OK the transfer. “I never heard anyone question that. I certainly don’t question that.”

Winfield said the first day of the summit would consist of “talking points and debriefing,” while the final day would include a panel discussion involving members of Congress. Winfield said he’s been asked to represent rural cities in the discussion. While he said the trip could help bring federal grant dollars to Vicksburg, the mayor did not cite any specific grants the city is applying for that would be relevant to the discussion.

“I’ll leave this before you guys. If you’d sign it, I’d appreciate it, and if not, let’s move on,” said Winfield in closing his plea.

“Let’s move on,” said Beauman.

Shortly after Winfield took office last summer, Vicksburg was named one of 18 founding cities in the national Cities of Service coalition. He traveled to New York City for an inauguration ceremony with other mayors of coalition cities. Today, more than 100 cities are in the coalition, and Vicksburg has yet to receive any of the more than $4 million in grant funds jointly given by the Rockefeller Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies to participating communities.