NATCHEZ — When it comes to recreation, some residents want the City of Natchez to “put up or shut up.”

Former Adams County Justice Court Judge Mary Toles appeared before the Natchez Board of Aldermen at its Tuesday meeting to share her concerns about the lack of “cohesive and holistic” efforts to move recreation in Natchez forward.

Toles is not alone in her frustration. The Rev. Clifton Marvel, president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, also appeared recently before the board with similar concerns.

Voters overwhelmingly approved in 2009 a countywide, non-binding referendum supporting a consolidated recreation program.

Since then, many residents feel little progress has been made on creating a consolidated recreation program.

The city and county have gone back and forth about who is responsible for the lack of movement on the recreation program.

Toles told the board of aldermen in her opinion, the city cannot wait for the county to do what is right.

“Excuses are only good for the people who make them,” she said. “They build bridges to nowhere, and those who usually use them are monuments to nothing.”

Toles pointed to the money Magnolia Bluffs Casino has given the city as part of its lease and money that is forthcoming as a potential funding source for a consolidated recreation program. That funding includes $225,000 annually for a community development fund and $1 million for a YMCA or public facility. The $1 million is to be paid in $333,000 installments.

Ward 6 Alderman Dan Dillard made a motion that unanimously passed to direct City Attorney Hyde Carby to let the Adams County Board of Supervisors know the city intends to dedicate its entire recreation budget, equipment and personnel — including golf — to a consolidated program.

The city turning over its golf program for a consolidated program has been a point of contention for some time.

Mayor Butch Brown said Wednesday he did not hear Dillard include the golf program in his motion. Dillard confirmed Wednesday that his motion did include golf.

“(Dillard) is speaking for himself,” Brown said. “There’s been no change about the city’s position on (golf).”

Brown has consistently been against including the Duncan Park golf course in the consolidated program.

The motion further directed Carby to find out from the county if it intends to put up $5.4 million for the program.

The referendum said the program would be funded by “a bond and/or other financial device in an amount to be determined but not to exceed $5,450,000.”

County supervisor David Carter, the county’s liaison to the recreation commission, said he was pleased to hear about the city’s latest commitment to recreation.

Carter said original plans for a recreation complex, which would be funded by a $5.4 million bond, have been taken off the table.

The county, Carter said, must now do what is feasible for its finances.

“We realize we’re giving less than the city; we know that,” Carter said. “We’re committed to recreation, but we have to be cognizant of our financial abilities.”

Carter said he believes the first step toward a consolidated program is hiring a director.

“We have to take it one step at a time,” he said. “You’re going to have to figure out what you’re going to build before you figure out how much money you’re going to give for it.”

Toles told the board of aldermen the time to act on recreation is now. Toles said progress on recreation will be on her mind when she goes to the polls in 2016 to elect a mayor and board of aldermen.

“That’s going to be an election issue for me,” she said. “It is time to put up or shut up.”