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Mayor talks budget savings

Mayor Jake Middleton said the City of Natchez is pinching its pennies in front of a sluggish economy and lower than normal sales income tax.

Middleton said the city has saved approximately $ 275,000 this fiscal year.

The city began cutting costs in September, when the board of aldermen voted unanimously to end the seven employees.

Middleton said the public works department will save $ 92,985 For complete annuallly Director Eric Smith, Assistant Director Francis Ransom Jr. and two additional employees. The city has since hired a new public works supervisor, Robbie Dollar, who reports to Assistant City Engineer David Atkins. Dollar annual salary is $ 40,000.

Middleton said the savings would allow the city to add an additional $ 40,000 in public works budget materials. City Engineer David Gardner and Middleton petitioned the aldermen to increase the materials budget, which is had a previous balance of $ 30,000.

"We are watching every penny and we are looking into the possibility of buying the parts used for vehicles where we can, "Middleton said.

Middleton said the terminations for the City Planner John "Rusty" Lewis, Land Use Planner Walter Huston and Planning Specialist Dawn Williams, the city has saved approximately $ 12,000 per month. However, the amount that could easily disappear once a new city planner is hired.

Middleton said five applicants are under consideration, and interviews will begin the second week in January.

"We want to go from a four-staff on a three-person staff will include the city planner, an urban planner and an administrative assistant," Middleton said. "By having a three-person staff, which ultimately saves us 25 percent (in staff costs)."

The resignation of City Grants Coordinator Brett Brinegar saves the city $ 40,000 annually. The city has entered into an agreement with Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District for grant writing services. SWMPDD Middleton said the city does not charge for its services unless the grants were approved.

"(SWMPDD) will get a administrative fee based on the amount of the grant, "Middleton said.

Last but not least, the city will save $ 119,556 annually when privatized grass cutting work will begin March 1. Middleton cast a tie-breaking vote last week in favor of privatization.

"We are stepping into uncharted waters "Middleton said." Now you do not have payroll, you have no maintenance, fuel and repair costs – it is a good move. "

As a result decision, four recreation department employees were laid off. Middleton said he does everything he can relocate to the employee if a position opens a department that require their skills. If no positions become available, Middleton wants to help employees find work, but this city.

"I plan on making some phone calls on their behalf. I want to try to help these guys," Middleton said.

In addition, Middleton said the city is expecting an additional $ 420,000 in ad valorem tax and an additional $ 300,000 in health insurance Savings in 2010. The city also expected to retire a $ 380,000 bond for road work next year.

"We should be in pretty good shape," Middleton said. "I would everyone to realize the budget is a prediction. We can start a little bit behind, but I do not foresee ending up behind. "

Future project

Middleton said 2010 will bring some city projects totaling an estimated $ 15,000,000.

The city advertised bids for overlay town central business district, and an overlay Union Street from Orleans Street to George F. West Boulevard last month.

The people of the overlay, which includes part of Rankin, Commerce, Pearl, Washington, State and Canal streets, and part of the Melrose-Montebello Parkway subdivision near Roselawn, was a $ 575,000 project financed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The overlay Union Street is a $ 602,000 project financed by the city of federal urban aid funds. The Both projects require handicapped-accessible ramps, sidewalks and curbs in compliance with American Disabilities Act.

The city will receive bids for the project on December 22. Gardner said he expected a contract executed by the end of January, and asphalt work to begin in late February or early March.

The first part of the Natchez Trails Project – a $ 2,900,000 venture – are fully funded by government earmarks, matching grants and private contributions totaling $ 380,000.

The first part includes the 5.6 mile run trails along Broadway, High, Rankin, Washington and Martin Luther King streets. Interpretive signs outlining city history dot the route.

The city learned last month the project received $ 607,623 from the Delta Region Transportation Development Program, and funds will be used to fund the second phase of the project.

Work also is expected to begin in the second part of the North Natchez drainage Project – a $ 3,600,000 commitment. Middleton said funding for the third phase of the project – a $ 4,200,000 job – is pending.

"We feel confident we're not going to get (the funding), "Middleton said.

The city is also starting to work on improving wastewater infrastructure. Natchez Water Works has been approved for a subsidized low-interest loan of $ 5,080,00 for improvements in September.

Funding is available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Water Pollution Control Revolving Loan Fund administered by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

Water Works Natchez did not have to pay back the ARRA part of the funding, total $ 4,318,000. However, the Water Pollution Control Revolving Loan Fund portion, $ 762,000, is paid back at a 1.75 percent interest rate over 20 years.

Finally, EWP project on Martin Luther King, North and bluebird street, and Oak Hill Drive totaling $ 155,000 are set to begin next year.

Middleton said the city is waiting news from the Federal Transit Administration regarding a grant to fund a $ 2,900,000 regional transportation and maintenance facilities located along North Shields Lane Avenue and Woods.

Middleton said the center will serve as a hub for city vehicles, and provide transit services to Alcorn State University and other regional locations.

Middleton said if approved the grant funding is almost 100 percent of construction costs.

"This is unlimited what we can do with it. We want to be the transportation hub of southwestern Mississippi, "Middleton said." It will open up a whole new world for us. "

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