The Meridian City Council on May 20 approved spending of up to $25,000 for stage, lighting and fireworks for a concert celebrating Meridian native Jamal Roberts, with the council describing the event date as tentative and approving a funding transfer from parks and recreation special projects to community development/culture affairs.

Mayor Larry Gill and Jamal Roberts’ supporters addressed the council during the meeting. “We just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for your contribution to, Jamal helping Jamal with the stage sound, light, and security, and all that stuff that happened last Wednesday,” Mayor Larry Gill said. Gloria Williams, who identified herself as Roberts’ godmother, told the council, “We are very grateful and thankful. I’m hopeful that in the near future at the council meeting, Jamal will get to come.”

Council members added an agenda item earlier in the meeting to authorize a celebration of Roberts, then later removed a separate agenda order that had proposed holding a celebration on July 4 or Juneteenth after learning the performer would not be available for those dates. The council subsequently approved an order authorizing expenditures for stage, lighting and fireworks for a Jamal Roberts concert on a tentative date around May 30, not to exceed $25,000.

The council also approved a motion directing that the $25,000 come from parks and recreation special projects and be moved into special projects for community development/culture affairs to cover stage, lighting and fireworks costs. Council members and staff said county supervisors and the tourism office indicated they would help with planning and funding, and the mayor said city staff and Jenkins (community contacts) would coordinate dates with Roberts’ team.

The council voted to remove an earlier agenda item that specifically authorized celebrating Roberts at the city’s July 4 event because Roberts was unavailable for the July 4 and Juneteenth dates; council members said they would work with Roberts’ representatives to finalize a date and bring back detailed plans.

Next steps: Community development, culture affairs and parks staff will coordinate with the mayor’s office and Roberts’ representatives on dates and logistics and return to the council with a confirmed date and any further budget requests.