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NATCHEZ — Natchez aldermen obligated the remaining city American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay police and fire department salaries through Dec. 31, 2026.

The city had until Dec. 31 to designate how it would spend its remaining ARPA funds.

James Johnston, community development director, told Aldermen the city was originally awarded $3,593,027.19 in ARPA funds in 2021.

“Most of the funds received have been expended and/or obligated for payroll for emergency services (police/fire) and drainage improvements on Turtle Lane and Morgantown Road,” he said.

Johnston said the balance of non-obligated funds as of Oct. 15 was $873,245.00.

“Staff, in concert with City Clerk Megan McKenzie, is requesting a motion to obligate the balance of unobligated ARPA funds totaling $873,245.00 to offset payroll expenses for the Natchez Fire Department and Natchez Police Department through Dec. 31, 2026,” he said.

Aldermen unanimously passed the motion by Alderman Ben Davis, seconded by Alderwoman Valencia Hall.

In other business at its Tuesday meeting, the aldermen:

• Approved a pay estimate totaling $96,334.20 to Dozer LLC for the delivery of the columbarium at the Natchez City Cemetery, continued site preparation and other work performed to date.

• Approved a change order for the Concord Drainage Improvement Project requested by the city’s consulting engineer, JKS Engineers. The change order reduces the amount of sodding, bituminous tack coat, 9.5 mm asphalt but increases the amount of Class ‘B’ reinforced concrete to address a health and safety hazard. The change order reduces the value of the contract by $(6,862.80) from $450,318.40 to $448,074.68, a net savings of $2,243.72.

• Approved seeking construction bids for the painting and recarpeting of the convention center’s second floor, including remodeling of bathrooms and installing meeting room blinds.

• Approved seeking bids for purchasing and installing two new 60-ton heating, ventilation and cooling systems for the main house and stage area of the Natchez City Auditorium.

• Approved a motion for city staff to work with Chief Robert Arrington on preparing a fiscal year 2024 Homeland Security Grant to purchase equipment needed for the fire department’s emergency response vehicle. The value of the equipment needed is $38,014 and no local match is needed for the grant.

• Took no action on quote bids from Weeks Furniture Company and Darby’s Furniture for lounge furniture needed for the Duncan Park Clubhouse. The bids will be taken under advisement.

• Rejected bids received for the Silver Street Brick Retaining Wall Rehabilitation Project because they exceeded the available funds by more than 10 percent. Aldermen approved a motion to prepare a budget modification and submit it to the Delta Regional Authority, which provides grant funding for the project. Johnston said city staff is requesting an additional $175,660 from Delta Regional Authority on a 75 and 25 percent match basis with the city contributing an additional $43,750 and its current local match obligation of $127,672. He said the additional funds requested are the average of the two bids received, less the construction and contingency funds available.

• Approved the required legal documents for the Morgantown Road Drainage and Reconstruction Project, Phases 1 and 2, which were agreed upon during a joint board meeting with the Adams County Board of Supervisors on July 25.

Adams County received a $2.4 million federal transportation earmark administered by the Mississippi Department of Transportation. The earmark requires a 20 percent local match. Adams County is paying 12 percent of that match, or $360,000, and the city will provide 8 percent, or $240,000.

Also, the city received a Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality Municipality and County Water Infrastructure Grant for the city’s Silver Street and Turtle Lane Drainage Improvement Project. However, the city de-obligated the funds from those two projects and directed the $1,672,093.82 received toward the Morgantown Drainage and Reconstruction Project.

Johnston said the city’s ARPA funds obligated for the drainage total $668,837.53. The county has obligated $1,003,256.29 of its ARPA funds to the drainage project.

He said county supervisors applied for a CAP loan from the Delta Regional Authority, which was not awarded. An alternate funding source is needed to make up the anticipated shortfall for Phase 1 of the Morgantown Drainage project.

Johnston said the county and city could apply for CAP loans from the Mississippi Development Authority. Based on construction estimates, the latest shortfall in funds is $1.7 million.

“The county would apply for a loan equal to 60 percent of the shortfall or $1,020,000 and the city would apply for a loan equal to 40 percent, $680,000.

He said the city is eligible to apply for a maximum amount of $1.25 million for a term not to exceed 20 years and at a tax-exempt rate of 2 percent.

Johnston recommended the board apply for $920,000, which would cover the city’s full portion due — the $240,000 match for the original “earmark” funds and the $680,000 in additional funds needed.

Aldermen approved that request.

• Approved the low bid received from Anding Construction Services totaling $90,257.50 for the Martins Lane Emergency Watership Program for erosion repair.