NATCHEZ, Miss. – Mayor Dan Gibson points to the city’s robust sales tax collections as proof the local economy is doing well despite inflationary conditions that some fear will thrust the country into a recession.
Meeting Tuesday with the Board of Aldermen, Gibson noted the city’s sales tax collections have been flowing higher than in previous years. Natchez so far this fiscal year has received about $2 million in state sales tax revenues collected by local retailers, according to the state Department of Revenue. That’s slightly higher than last year’s $1.9 million, in excess of the $1.7 million in 2020 and above amounts collected in the pre-COVID years.
Gibson said the $5.8 million in sales tax collections Natchez received in total for the fiscal year that ended last June is about $500,000 more than 2021. Sales tax collections provide essential funds for municipal services. With this in mind, the mayor urged Natchez residents “to spend your money at home” and shop for Christmas at local stores.
Another key source of revenues for the city are the special tourism taxes generated at Natchez restaurants and hotels. The city so far this fiscal year has received about $614,600, which is down slightly from the $616,800 in 2021. The money is used to attract visitors to Natchez and to pay off bonds provided to build the Natchez Convention Center.
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The Board of Aldermen on Tuesday picked an Alabama-based engineering firm to plan the city’s $6 million street-overlay project that’s expected to begin next year and be finished by autumn.
Volkert of Mobile bested the JKS engineering firm of Natchez with the lowest fee for its services. Aldermen have listed 75 Natchez streets to repave using the $6 million borrowed through bonds. It’s the city’s largest street-improvement project in memory.
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Aldermen appointed new members to the city’s preservation and planning commissions to fill two vacancies. The commissions regulate the appearances and locations of buildings in Natchez.
Steve Campo was put on the Natchez Preservation Commission to replace long-serving member Marty Seibert, who resigned in September. Campo last year acquired the old Ritz theater with plans to restore the 87-year-year Commerce Street building. The commission regulates the remodeling and restoration of structures in the city’s historic district.
Bill Ennis was appointed to the Natchez Planning Commission to replace Stratton Bull, who resigned in August. Ennis is from Bastrop, Texas, where he served on various municipal boards. The Planning Commission regulates land uses and where businesses can be located.
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Aldermen will seek candidates wanting to serve on the five-member Natchez-Adams School District board. Current member Brenda Robinson’s term expires in February. The school board consists of three appointees selected by Natchez aldermen and two by Adams County supervisors.
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The mayor said the ongoing restoration of the North Natchez Youth Center should be finished by spring, when the Duncan Park Golf Clubhouse’s renovation could begin and be finished in early 2024. The buildings are part of the $3 million enhancements of city recreation facilities.
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The board and mayor closed the public out their discussions about Natchez Police Department personnel and newly appointed interim chief Cal Green. They emerged from their closed-door session to openly approve a $75,000-a-year salary for an NPD employee referred to only by the person’s ID number.
Green – Natchez’ first female police chief — was sworn in Tuesday as the NPD’s interim leader as chief Joseph Daughtry resigns to take over the Columbus Police Department. Green’s swearing-in ceremony took place at the Mississippi Association of Chiefs of Police conference held in Natchez. Daughtry is state association president.
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City aldermen heard an appeal Tuesday from Red Cross officials for more local volunteers on the agency’s disaster-response teams. People are needed in Natchez to be trained and “on the ground ready to respond,” said Tamica Jeuitt, executive director of the American Red Cross’ southwest Mississippi chapter. Those interested in volunteering can go to the Red Cross website: www.redcross.org/local/al-ms/volunteer.html
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