As hometown singer Jamal Roberts continues to climb the ranks on American Idol, the City of Meridian and a dedicated local committee are gearing up to celebrate—if he advances to the Top 3.
According to WTOK, city council members on Tuesday approved a proposal to move up to $20,000 from the Animal Control budget to Community Development to help fund a celebratory parade and concert in Roberts’ honor.
Ward 2 City Councilman Dwayne Davis addressed some confusion related to the new animal control facility.
According to Davis, the City Council approved $750,000 for a brand-new animal control facility. Recently, $20,000 of that was temporarily reallocated to help fund a special stage and lighting for a concert in Meridian that may be filmed by American Idol in honor of Roberts’ success.
Davis emphasized that the concert funding is only a small portion of the total budget. He clarified that if all of the $20,000 isn’t used, the leftover funds will return to the animal control budget. He also said that the full $20,000 will be restored in the next budget cycle (starting July–September 2025). The new animal control facility is expected to be completed by fall of this year.
Davis encouraged residents to continue supporting Jamal Roberts and assured the city is committed to both celebrating local talent and improving community services.
Here is City Councilman Dwayne Davis’s full statement from social media.
“Good Morning Facebook Family. There Seems To Be Some Misunderstanding About The Funds That Was Remove From Special Projects From The Animal Control Budget. The City Council Transfer $750,000.00 For A BRAND New Animal Control Facility From The The Council Legislation Budget To Animal Control. It Was Bought To The Council Attention That American Idol Wanted To Come To Meridian Mississippi To Record A Concert With Leading Contestant Jamal Roberts. So With That Being Said They Needed A Special Stage And Lighting For This To Happen. To Show The City Support The City Council Secured $20,000.00 From The $750,000.00 The City Council Approved For The BRAND NEW Animal Control Facility. This Will Make Sure We Have More Than Enough Funds For The Event. If The Full $20,000.00 Is Not Needed For The Concert The City Council Suggested That The Remaining Balance That Is Not Used Go Back To The The Animal Control Budget Along With Replacing What Was Used During The Next Budgeting Year That Starts From July To September 2025. By Doing This The City Of Meridian Mississippi Will Able To Support This Amazing Accomplishment That Jamal Roberts Has Made On American Idol And Have A BRAND NEW State Of The Art Animal Control Facility By The Fall Of This Year. If You Any Other Questions Please Feel Free To Contact Councilman Dwayne Davis At 601 938 0923 I Will Be More Than Happy To Talk To You. Thank You For Your Support And Sharing And Please Keep Voting And Supporting Jamal Roberts For What He Is About To Accomplish And Be Blessed.”
WTOK reported that while council members expressed enthusiasm about Roberts’ success, questions were raised during the meeting about who would lead the event planning—city officials or the committee.
“Due to the funding that’s in place, the city will be taking a major role in it, but we are working with the committee,” said Craig Hitt, Director of Community Development. “They are the ones who are actually talking to American Idol and to Mr. Roberts himself. So we are relying on their information and guidance as we move forward.”
The city has committed to providing the stage and lighting, while the Jamal Roberts committee will handle additional responsibilities such as event security, in partnership with the Meridian Police Department, which will oversee outside logistics.
The parade and concert are tentatively scheduled for May 14, but only if Roberts makes it into the Top 3, which will be announced Tuesday, May 13.
