Natchez board present budget for next fiscal year

NATCHEZ, Miss. – The Board of Aldermen and mayor on Tuesday presented their proposed budget for funding Natchez’ city government in the coming year. It calls for spending about $51 million – up from the $42 million the city has been operating with for the fiscal year that began last October.

The bigger budget for the next fiscal year starting next month is without a tax increase and includes local, state and federal funds in the city treasury. About $6.3 million of the proposed budget is projected to be from property taxes paid by Natchez residents and businesses.

The proposed budget calls for increasing the salaries of fire department and public works department employees by 8 percent, according to City Clerk Megan McKenzie. Natchez police officers – who got a raise in pay last year – are in line for another 4 percent increase in the coming year. The spending plan also itemizes higher pay for other city employees.

The mayor and aldermen held a hearing Tuesday evening for the public to provide input on the budget, but few details were discussed and no one beside the mayor, aldermen and McKenzie spoke. Aldermen are planning to adopt the budget at their Sept. 12 meeting.

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City officials are seeking contractors to install a columbarium at the Natchez City Cemetery and landscape the grounds. The vaults for cremated ashes are to be on a tract of land overlooking the Mississippi River. It’s across the street from the city burial grounds’ first gate driving from town. The property was donated to the city last year by Al Walker of Natchez in honor of partner Keith Karlson, who died in 2016.

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City officials are applying for a state grant to help fund the ongoing renovations of the old Broadway Street train depot and its landscaping. The money would come from the Mississippi Main Street Revitalization Grant Program. Aldermen agreed to provide $90,500 as the city’s required match to get the grant.

Aldermen last month approved plans for the city’s tourism agency to use the century-old depot as a visitors center after a decade of the historic building being vacant. Contractors are being sought to submit plans and costs for the renovations.