NATCHEZ — Out of all the departments in the City of Natchez, the mayor’s budget got hit the hardest — and of the mayor’s own volition.

The biggest line items Mayor Jake Middleton removed from his budget were the city’s two lobbyists, Camille Young and Crowell Armstrong.

By doing this alone, Middleton reduced his budget by $15,000.

He said it was just something he had to do.

“I think at this point in time, we just financially couldn’t do it, and I feel like through our representation through the House of Representatives and the senate and our city leadership, we can take care of it at this time,” Middleton said.

He said he understands the importance of having lobbyists, though.

Former mayor Phillip West credited both lobbyists with helping push through the $2 hotel tax bill.

But it’s just not something the city can afford right now, Middleton said.

“It was nothing personal toward the lobbyists, it was just a financial decision I made in the budget,” he said. “And of course the board went along with it.”

Middleton also decided during budget cuts to exchange his city car, City Clerk Donnie Holloway said.

He said the payments on the Mercury Mountaineer are $700 a month.

Middleton said he thinks that’s too much.

“I just didn’t feel like we needed to spend the kind of money that has been spent in the past on a vehicle,” he said.

Holloway said the city is currently taking bids on different cars and by doing so, they are saving almost $3,000 in the budget.

Middleton said he is pleased with the savings.

“We’re getting a brand new vehicle, but probably $10,000 less than what this vehicle cost and it’s going to cut our note back,” he said.

With the cuts Middleton took, he reduced his budget from $190,458 to $169,202 — a difference of $21,256.

The only other department that experienced a substantial budget cut was planning and zoning, but Holloway said two of the planning employees were transferred to inspection, so everything came out in the wash.

“It’s really not a cut,” Holloway said.

During budget talks Alderman Bob Pollard suggested cutting the community development department entirely.

“I believe that money would be better spent as a rainy day fund,” Pollard said. “That department was created four years ago by (former mayor) Phillip (West) and the mayor’s secretary has always handled youth and government.”

The Mayor’s Youth Council is one of the arenas Community Development Director Darlene Jones covers.

Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis said just because the department was instituted by West doesn’t mean it should end with the new administration.

“There were departments that were created when Butch Brown was mayor,” she said. “We don’t just blow things out because there’s a new mayor.”

Mathis, Middleton and Alderman James “Ricky” Gray said the position is needed.

Middleton said Jones is handling a large grant, the Youth Bill, which helps rehabilitate high school dropouts.

Basically anything to do with community development, Jones handles, Middleton said.

And Gray said that’s key.

“In order to have economic development, you have to develop your community,” he said. “How can you develop your community when you don’t have anybody to do it?”

Middleton agreed that Jones has an important position.

“I think Darlene has done a good job since she’s been on board.”

Middleton said he’s likely to give Jones more responsibility in his administration.

But the budget for the community development department has decreased over the years. Middleton said when the department was created the budget was $100,000.

Now, the budget is $58,804.