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NATCHEZ — While no contract has been finalized yet, the Natchez Board of Aldermen took another step toward completing a deal for Arrow Disposal Services Inc., the city’s current garbage collector, to serve the city for another six years.

After a misstep involving a portion of the contract consideration that happened during a closed meeting, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen quickly worked to correct that error and get back on track.

Four garbage collectors presented proposals for garbage collection and disposal services in the city — Arrow Disposal, Hometown Waste, Waste Management and Waste Pro. Each was given an opportunity to “sharpen their pencils” and present new proposals. None presented proposals lower than those from Arrow Disposal Services.

At Tuesday’s meeting, aldermen gave City Clerk Megan McKenzie permission to continue to negotiate with Arrow Disposal to nail down items like routine collection of old furniture and appliances and landscaping debris.

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson said he hoped aldermen would be able to vote on a finalized contract at the city’s next meeting on Thursday, April 11. That meeting was scheduled originally for Tuesday, April 9, but was moved to accommodate the city’s municipal election being held that day. The meeting will begin at 11 a.m. on April 11 at the Council Chambers, 115 S. Pearl St., Natchez.

At a previous meeting, Gibson said proposals came in lower than most were expecting and while a modest increase to residents may be needed, it will not be substantial.