NATCHEZ — The Natchez Public Works Department is shorthanded.

After deciding to expand public works, Natchez Mayor Butch Brown said the city has been seeking to add three positions within the department.

Brown said the city is currently interviewing applicants for a public works clerk, engineering technician and someone to manage traffic control and street projects.

“We’ve had interviews, and we’ve not been pleased with the applicants,” Brown said.

The decision to expand public works came after the city ended its 10-year inter-local agreement with Natchez Water Works, and decided not to hire a replacement city engineer after David Gardner retired from the position in April.

Brown said this decision was made in an effort to make public works more streamlined, and eliminate costs associated with Natchez Water Works and paying an in-house engineer.

Compared with what the city was previously spending on engineering services through Natchez Water Works, which was approximately $280,000 a year, Brown said approximately $150,000 will be saved.

“We’re cutting that engineering budget,” Brown said.

With the expanded public works department lacking an on-staff engineer, Brown said the city would allocate $30,000 in its yearly budget for outside engineering consultation.

Even with these outside consultation costs, Brown said money would still be saved, although there have been no set salary requirements for the additional three positions within the public works department.

Aside from the three new positions, Brown said there are other vacancies within the department.

“We have a vacancy for superintendent who manages our inmate labor crews,” Brown said. “And we’re also looking for a heavy equipment operator.”

Until the city can fill those vacant positions, Brown said the public works department would be temporarily shorthanded.

“We’re hoping to get those positions filled as soon as possible,” he said.