NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams School District is estimating it will levy approximately $13.7 million from the local tax base for the 2017-18 fiscal year.

Superintendent Fred Butcher said Wednesday budget figures are preliminary, as the board is still conducting work sessions. The school board does not have to approve a budget until August.

In the projection presented to the board Wednesday, Business Manager Monica Anderson includes a 4-percent addition to what the district requested last year.

The district can request up to 4-percent each year legally without the county having the opportunity to deny the request, as long as the total millage levied does not go over 55 mills.

The 4-percent increase is equal to $526,764.61.

In last year’s final budget, which was approved in August, the district requested a 3.5-percent increase.

For 2016-17, the district’s operating millage is 53.05.

For comparison, nearby districts Franklin County’s millage is at 49.75 and Amite County’s millage is 27.75.

For districts with comparable assessed values of Natchez-Adams, Hattiesburg (Forrest) has levied 65.06 mills, Choctaw 38.12 mills, Covington 37.69 mills and Hancock 43.05 mills.

The Natchez-Adams School District approved a $13,331,636 budget in 2016-17 and so far through May has collected $11,305,228.19. The district projects to finish September with $13,169,115.29, or approximately $162,520.71 under the current budget.