NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez will spend $4,000 to help fund a series of forums on improving efficiency in local government.

Aldermen approved the allocation during Tuesday Natchez Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting.

Late Friday afternoon, Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell sent aldermen a memorandum proposing a series of four meetings with guest speakers from Mississippi State University’s John C. Stennis Institute of Government and three additional experts who would take part in a panel discussion.

Grennell said the forums would come at a total cost of approximately $12,000 and that he would ask the county to contribute $4,000 and would seek another $4,000 from the private sector.

Grennell said the bulk of the cost is attributed to paying for lodging, travel and meals for guest speakers. Grennell also said such costs could be reduced through donations from the private sector.

During discussion of the matter, Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis told Grennell she believes the aldermen and the Adams County Board of Supervisors need to come together for discussion before holding workshops with guest speakers.

“Before they come, we need to meet as two boards to find out what you know and, Sarah (Carter-Smith, Alderwoman Ward 3) what you know so we all can come together in one accord,” Arceneaux-Mathis said.

Arceneaux-Mathis said she believes such a meeting would be an opportunity for the two governing bodies to have a dialogue and to be prepared.

“We need to know what we’re willing to support and what we’re not willing to support,” Arceneaux-Mathis said. “We’re already working with the county on one service, which is the fire department. I think the two bodies need to understand consolidation and not just meet 30 minutes before the guest speakers.”