NATCHEZ &045;&045; A 9-percent increase in the city’s insurance rates and an anticipated increase in utility rates are among the factors that have forced the city’s projected &uot;miscellaneous&uot; spending up almost $260,000 for the next fiscal year.

The city lists insurance, worker’s compensation, utility costs and gaming revenues that go to the county in the miscellaneous category for budgeting purposes.

That category is projected to be up $259,561 for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.

According to preliminary budget figures for fiscal 2004-2005, the next-highest increase would have been public works, with $116,873.

That’s largely due to a couple of projects added to the department’s tasks for 2004-2005, City Clerk Donnie Holloway said, such as erosion control on Henderson Street.

But that will be cut before the Board of Aldermen approves the budget in its Tuesday meeting, Holloway said. He added that among other things, &uot;we’re cutting back on contract services&uot; in Public Works. At the same time, the city is decreasing the amount budgeted for internal services by $224,082.

That category that includes such items as the senior citizens center and other public properties and the city’s energy conservation project.

&uot;We’re finished with the energy project, so that’s not in&uot; the fiscal 2004-2005 budget, Holloway said.

Capital projects are projected to be down for 2004-2005 by $241,194, mostly because the city has few large projects on its plate for the upcoming year.

&uot;We’ve got a few projects, like the Minor Street improvements, … but the (city’s part of) the federal courthouse is done,&uot; Holloway said.

In all, the city’s expenditures &045;&045; not counting other fund uses, such as investment purchases &045;&045; are projected at $21,189,131, down from $21,295,266 for the current fiscal year.

By state law, the city must approve its budget by Wednesday. The Board of Aldermen is set to approve the fiscal 2004-2005 at its next regular meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Until then, figures are still subject to change.