Mayor George Flaggs Jr. believes the newly elected Warren County Board of Supervisors will be a vehicle for change, and he’s ready to work with them to improve Vicksburg and the county.

“Based on the election results, I don’t know a time when Vicksburg and Warren County is going be better served,” Flaggs said. “I think the people have spoken in this community and I think the message is clear — they want us to work together and they want us to reduce the cost of government to them.

“I have every intention of working with the new board as I tried to work with the old board. I will try to do that because I know emphatically there’s duplication (of services) and the taxpayers of this city deserve the best quality of service at the least cost to them,” he said.

Flaggs said city residents pay a lot of taxes and he believes he will be able to work with the new board to save the taxpayers money.

“There is no reason for the people of Vicksburg, one community, paying as much taxes as we pay for the same services,” he said. “We need to stop some of the duplication of services and (reduce) the cost to the taxpayers.”

He said the boards need to work together to create jobs, a better economy and have the city and county working together.

“I pledge to you as mayor, and hopefully the Board of Aldermen will work with me and the new (county) board,” he said. “We will move this county and city forward at the least cost to the taxpayer.”

Flaggs said growing up he always thought of Warren County as one community.

“And if I have anything to do with it in my God-given power and ability, I will make certain it is one community, because we all pay the taxes,” he said, adding he will also go to the state for money for projects in the city.

Discussing the new board of supervisors and the election of Delbert Hosemann as lieutenant governor, Flaggs said, “These elections favor Vicksburg better than before.

“I’m going to work with whomever the people elect, and I’m going to continue to do it,” he said. “I’ve done it all my life and I’m going to continue to do it. Elections have consequences, but at the same time, they have vision … I commit to working with this new board to reduce the cost of government to the people.”

During the Nov. 5 general election, voters in Warren County elected four new supervisors to the Warren County Board of Supervisors. Only District 2 Supervisor William Banks won his re-election bid.

The new board officially takes office with their first meeting in January, which is set for Monday, Jan. 6.