NATCHEZ &045; Aldermen on Tuesday approved a five-year, $54,000 city tax abatement for Receivable Solutions, a collections agency now located in the city’s old Britton & Koontz Bank building on Main Street.

A city ordinance passed in 1999 allows businesses tax abatements on new construction and renovations in downtown and surrounding areas.

Although such applications are supposed to be submitted before renovations are made, City Attorney Walter Brown advised the board to approve the company’s application in order to promote economic development downtown.

Also in Tuesday’s meeting:

4The board voted to lease the former Life Insurance building on Canal Street across from the convention center to John Wood, who plans to open a souvenir shop there.

4Aldermen voted to change the city’s personnel policy to explicitly state that failure to cooperate with other city employees is grounds for disciplinary action.

&uot;We’ve had some instances of (employees) not cooperating with other employees,&uot; said Mayor Phillip West, who wouldn’t give specifics.

4Brown said the Mississippi Department of Transportation notified the city before Tuesday’s meeting it had approved plans for the relocation of a fire station on Wood Avenue.

The station is currently located at Liberty Road and Seargent S. Prentiss Drive but must be moved due to the building of a new interchange at the intersection.

4Authorized Transit Authority Director Sabrina Bartley to apply for operational and capital funds for the year from the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

4Alderman Jake Middleton announced work will start March 1 on painting and repair of the faSade of Duncan Park’s pro shop.