NATCHEZ — The Adams County Board of Supervisors plan to approve a $26,066,262-revenue budget Thursday following a public hearing beginning at 9 a.m.

This proposed budget includes a 2.14-mill increase in the ad valorem tax, from 116.51 to 118.65 mills. It would be approximately a 1-percent increase from the 2015-16 budget, which included $25,584,570 in revenues.

Board of Supervisors President Mike Lazarus said the tax increase is due to the 3.5-percent increase the Natchez-Adams School District Board of Trustees is requesting of the county, the district’s funding agency. By law, the county has no choice but to grant up to a 4-percent increase each year.

The school board is requesting $13,331,636 of Adams County taxpayers, or a total increase of $450,828.26 from last year’s request. The total 2016-17 budget of NASD is approximately $40 million.

“We are raising the millage because of what the school system asked for,” Lazarus said. “Other than that, we are not raising it at all.”

County Administrator Joe Murray said the approximately $26 million figure does not include the funds being budgeted to the Natchez Adams School District.

Murray said the $481,692 difference in budget revenues from this year to last year are due to increases in grants and other revenues.

“Based on what projects you have going on or grants you may receive, you may see a good increase in a year to year budget,” Murray said. “Most of the time it is because of grant projects.”

Lazarus said cuts had to be made during this budget year because of increased costs in recreation, a new hospital note and oil revenues being down.

“We have done a lot with a little, but we have made it work,” Lazarus said. “I give all the kudos to Joe Murray — he did a good job and put in a lot of time and effort.”

Cuts have been made, Lazarus said. Many of the proposed cuts are in the areas of office supply and office furniture. Travel is also being reduced, Lazarus said.

The county is also proposing cutting the Adams County Drug Court by $20,000,

Lazarus said cuts are happening in every department, but total budget increases will occur in the roads and bridges department and at the sheriff’s office.

The board of supervisors approved $4,300 raises for themselves on Sept. 6 in a 3-2 vote. Lazarus and David Carter voted against the measure.

Equal raises to what the supervisors are receiving starting Oct. 1 were also extended to the two justice court judges, the county prosecuting attorney and the board attorney.

Lazarus encouraged county residents to come out and ask questions or to comment on the budget.

“I am a big believer in public input,” he said. “If someone wants to come to the hearing and talk, this is your chance. Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
The budget has to be adopted by Sept. 30.