NATCHEZ &8212; A city budget work session had wide-ranging discussions Monday as Natchez aldermen and Mayor Phillip West considered funding of both existing and new programs.

Resurfacing city streets led to questions about joint city and county work on the project, using county equipment and city-funded materials.

&8220;The Natchez Water Works, the city and the county overlaid every street in Westover Subdivision,&8221; Alderman David Massey said, recalling one joint project of years past.

Alderman Ricky Gray said the resurfacing needs are evident everywhere. He pointed out streets off Shields Lane. &8220;People are calling about their streets cracking, and they are just four or five years old.&8221;

Annexation ideas remain on the table as one way to increase the city&8217;s budget and to be able to meet needs in all city departments.

Not all aldermen are in favor of annexation, however. And the discussion Monday included both how to annex and how to do it in the smartest way.

&8220;It all comes down to tax base,&8221; Massey said. &8220;And if you are going to annex, you&8217;ve got to show (the residents or business owners) that it&8217;s worth it to them.&8221;

Alderman Bob Pollard is in favor of annexation. &8220;We&8217;re sitting stagnant now, and we&8217;ve got to grow,&8221; he said.

Many city services are provided for both city and county residents, West said. &8220;Ninety-nine percent of the recreational facilities are provided by the city.&8221;

A proposed annexation now under study could increase city coffers by $300,000 to $400,000, West said.

The work session also included discussion of the proposed YMCA/recreational complex, now in feasibility-study stage.

If the city can find another $100,000 to add to the budget for that complex, it will bring the total set aside so far to $300,000, West said, a sum he would like to have on hand when the study is completed.

&8220;We can&8217;t say we&8217;re for something if we&8217;re not willing to put some money up to make it happen,&8221; he said.