Natchez aldermen put off pool upgrades as revenues fall

NATCHEZ. Miss. – City aldermen have put off the much-planned upgrades for the Natchez-Adams County Aquatic Center amid concerns about the city’s flagging revenues caused by the coronavirus’ crushing impact on the economy.

While the Board of Aldermen was well on its way to getting proposals for heating and covering the two-year-old pool, it voted Tuesday to stall expenditures for that along with other pool improvements.

Since the coronavirus pandemic began crippling economic activities in March, Natchez sales tax collections are down about $200,000. About $4.53 million in sales taxes has been sent to the city’s coffers, according to the state Department of Revenue. That’s less than the $4.73 million the city had collected this time last year.

While the local economy appears to be perking up after the March-to-May economic slowdown, it’s unlikely revenues will pick up enough, said Alderman Dan Dillard.

“The money is not going to materialize, and we’re going to have to revise our budget,” Dillard said.

He pointed to the ongoing efforts by aldermen and Mayor Darryl Grennell to find ways to save money and avert having to furlough or lay off city employees: “We’re going to do everything we can to save everybody’s jobs.”

At Tuesday’s meeting of the mayor and city board, aldermen decided to reject bids submitted to heat the swimming pool and install a panel cover. Total costs as proposed: $114,500. They also agreed to delay plans for installing lockers, bleachers and a pool-chlorination system. While pool improvements are budgeted to cost about $345,000, much of it is to be funded with state-federal money. However, about $84,000 is to be footed by the city and while an equal amount is to be paid by Adams County.

The aquatic center at Liberty Park opened in June 2018, giving Natchez-Adams County its first public swimming pool since the one at Duncan Park closed in 2001.