NATCHEZ — A hit-and-run accident at the Tracetown intersection could cost the city $6,000.

Police Chief Mike Mullins said approximately two weeks ago a vehicle knocked a light pole down, and a motorist called dispatch reporting the downed pole in the median.

This pole became the topic of debate at the Natchez Board of Aldermen regular meeting Teusday. Alderman Ernest “Tony” Fields said at the city’s finance meeting that he was concerned the city is responsible for replacing any downed poles originally installed by the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

City Engineer David Gardner said there are a number of poles at this intersection, and even more have been built since.

“We are getting a massive amount of pole inventory,” Gardner said. “We love the project, and the poles make the bypass beautiful, but I am not sure we can handle the burden.”

Gardner said under the old Tracetown intersection, Entergy owned the poles and was responsible for replacing them.

When the city signed the agreement with MDOT, Gardner said he was under the impression the city would be responsible for replacing light bulbs, but thought MDOT, who owns the poles, would be responsible for replacing them in the event of damage.

“It sounds like we are being force-fed something stuff we did not know we were getting into,” Mayor Jake Middleton said.

Gardner said he was working on setting up meetings with MDOT and Entergy to talk about setting up a new agreement regarding the poles.

“We talked about being concerned with just the small maintenance on the poles,” Gardner said. “We have not budgeted for $6,000 a pole and will not be able to maintain all of these poles.”

Fields hoped the police would be able to locate the person who hit the pole.

“We are asking the chief to do an investigation, so we can put it on the driver’s insurance and won’t have to talk about it anymore,” Fields said.

Mullins said the police were trying to locate a vehicle with damage that may be consistent. The police chief urged anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 601-442-5000.