The Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) held a special-called meeting Monday afternoon to declare a state of emergency in order to replace an essential pump at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Mayor George Flaggs Jr. and Ward 2 Alderman Alex Monsour each voted in favor of the declaration, saying it was needed in order to expedite the repair of an influencer pump that was found to be faulty, likely due to heavy rain over the weekend. Ward 1 Alderman TJ Mayfield was not present for the vote.

The influencer pump, which is essential for the plant’s treatment of wastewater, required the special meeting in order to be repaired quickly, as bids for the item exceeded $75,000, city officials said.