Natchez board hires private security for bluff area

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Private security officers will be patrolling the Natchez bluff area as city officials do more to ensure the popular sunset-viewing venue is safer.

The Board of Aldermen on Tuesday approved hiring the guards after Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said they’re a needed addition to what city police officers do to curb crime in that section of downtown Natchez.

A private security firm will provide two watchmen in the Broadway Street park area overlooking the Mississippi River from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week at least through December. Mayor Dan Gibson estimated the cost will total about $8,400. The money will come from funds the board had budgeted for paying Natchez police officers in slots currently vacant.

It was noted at Tuesday’s board meeting that entrepreneurs developing a new restaurant at the old Broadway Street train depot will also have security staff in the bluff area.

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The city is offering to pay $6,000 as an incentive for people to move to Natchez, buy a home and work remotely. The COVID pandemic has prompted many to work from home rather than commuting to an office.

The Natchez Board of Aldermen on Tuesday agreed to provide incentive money at the request of Chandler Russ, executive director of Natchez Inc., the economic development agency for the city and Adams County. Russ said this program – dubbed “Shift South” – could be an effective way to lure workers who do their jobs at home and don’t want to live in large cities.

The $6,000 would be given to each new qualified Natchez resident who buys a house and commits to living in the city. The money would be paid in increments: $2,500 up front and $300 monthly. It’s uncertain how many new Natchez residents would take advantage of the incentive, Russ said, but there would be a $180,000 cap on the total amount of grants awarded to those who qualify. Property and sales taxes a “Shift South” resident would pay, he said, would exceed the $6,000 local government would provide.

While cities in other states have implemented such programs, said Mayor Dan Gibson, Natchez is the first Mississippi city to offer this incentive.

The board also agreed to develop plans for a tax-reduction program to make downtown Natchez more attractive to residents and business developers who improve their properties. Plans will be drawn for commercial and residential areas to be aligned in an “urban renewal district” with “tax abatements to encourage more investments,” Gibson said.

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The Board of Aldermen agreed Tuesday to let Natchez Manor close off Union Street by the hotel for patrons to party Saturday.

The boutique hotel-restaurant’s block party is in conjunction with the Natchez Balloon Festival that’s taking place this weekend. Located at the corner of Franklin and Union streets, Natchez Manor plans to have two bands on stage with various food-and-drink offerings.

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Natchez aldermen Tuesday authorized the city to borrow up to $1 million to help pay its bills and employees in the next few months while revenues are at a low ebb.

As routinely done in recent years, city officials will use the short-term bank loan to carry Natchez over until property taxes due early next year flow into city coffers. The tax-anticipation loan is expected to be paid back in March, Gibson said.

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The board voted 4-1 Tuesday to increase Alderman Dan Dillard’s salary in his position as mayor pro tempore. He’ll get an extra $1,115 on top of the $22,300 annual salary paid to each alderman.

Gibson noted the city charter calls for additional compensation for the mayor pro tem, who presides over board meetings and other city affairs when the mayor can’t. The six aldermen elected Dillard vice mayor in July when their new term of office began. The previous mayor pro tem – former long-serving alderman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis – lost her Ward 1 re-election bid to Valencia Hall in June. Dillard is now the board’s most senior alderman, having represented Ward 6 for 12 years and now in his fourth term.

Ward 2 Alderman Billie Joe Frazier cast the lone vote against Dillard’s 5 percent pay raise. He said such a salary hike “doesn’t look good” to the public. Dillard abstained from the vote.