When members of the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen hold a public hearing Aug. 15 on the Vicksburg Main Street Program’s special taxing district, they’ll also be asked to approve the program’s $43,700 fiscal 2012 budget.

The Main Street Board in June approved a resolution seeking renewal of the special tax. It approved the budget on Tuesday.

Vicksburg assesses a special 5.05-mill tax on commercial property in the designated Main Street Area to help fund the program.

According to the city accounting office, the tax raised $44,257 in 2009 and $43,544 in 2010.

The special tax revenue covers the program’s operating expenses. Program employee salaries and benefits and equipment purchases are funded through the city’s general fund, which also provides $1,200 for the Farmers’ Market and $34,000 for advertising, Vicksburg Main Street executive director Kim Hopkins said.

In another matter, Hopkins said the program had received permission from the Warren County Bridge Commission to use the old U.S. 80 bridge to cross the Mississippi River during Bricks and Spokes on Oct. 1.

Hopkins said the event includes rides of 10, 30 and 50 miles long. She said the plan needs the approval of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, and Main Street will have to sign an agreement with the bridge commission. She said Main Street will purchase extra insurance to cover the riders as part of the agreement to use the bridge.

Riders interested in participating can go to getmeregister.com. Registration fee is $30.

In other action, the board:

• Discussed the program’s marketing and branding meeting on Sept. 15. A workshop on marketing, branding and retail will be held after the 8:30 a.m. meeting. The location is undetermined.

• Approved the $150 registration fee for Hopkins to attend the Miss/Lou Rural Tourism conference in Oak Grove, La. She is a member of the Miss/Lou Board of Directors.

• Authorized Hopkins, Matt Farrell and Ronnie Bounds to attend the Destination Downtown Conference in Tupelo.

• Discussed the fall festival, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

• Discussed the Lofts of Vicksburg Tour, Nov. 12.

• Discussed the Downtown Vicksburg Old Fashion Christmas Open House, 1:30 to 5 p.m., Nov. 27.

• Discussed the Christmas Parade of Lights, at 5 p.m. Dec. 3. The theme is “Disney Christmas.”