NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez approved amendments to its approximately $30 million budget Tuesday and is expected to soon consider further amendments to adjust for additional spending this fiscal year.

The Natchez Board of Aldermen agreed at its Tuesday meeting to host a work session in the near future to review budget amendments Interim City Clerk Megan Edmonds proposed at the meeting. Edmonds recently took over for former City Clerk Melissa Hawk, who resigned.

Edmonds said after the meeting the proposed budget amendments include increasing the Natchez Fire Department budget by $120,000 for overtime.

That money was initially included in the budget, but cut during budget talks in the fall when city officials struggled to balance the budget.

“(They city) knew upfront that it was probably going require more than what was actually budgeted for (fire department overtime),” Edmonds said.

The cut was made with officials saying that the budget could be revisited and later amended if necessary.

Mayor Darryl Grennell asked the aldermen to go ahead and approve Tuesday a budget amendment for a $14,900 increase to the community promotion budget for funds to purchase stationery, keys to the city and other items Mayor Darryl Grennell said the city no longer has.

Grennell also requested the aldermen approve an increase to the budgets for city officials’ travel.

Edmonds said after the meeting the exact dollar amount for the increase has not been determined, but said the $18,000 budget might not cover the trips the board has planned for the year.

Ward 6 Alderman Dan Dillard expressed apprehension at approving the budget amendments without knowing from where the money would come.

Dillard stressed the importance of maintaining a balanced budget.

“You can’t just increase the expenditure side of it without answering the question, ‘Where are the revenues coming from?’” Dillard said.

Grennell said money was mistakenly taken from the community promotion fund for expenses that should have been covered by appropriations.

“But I do need to go ahead and get this approved,” he said.

Dillard said that explanation should have been provided in the budget report.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis said the “appropriations situation” needed to be worked out, but that the aldermen would pass the motion and Grennell could break down the amendments at the budget work session.

Arceneaux-Mathis said she thinks the solution for community promotion fund would likely just require a transfer from appropriations to correct the error, rather than an actual amendment.

In terms of travel, Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Smith told the mayor she does not think it is necessary for all of the aldermen to travel on every trip.

Smith said she thinks the mayor and possibly one other alderman can represent the city on trips to Washington, D.C., and that the entire board could take the in-state trips to conferences for the Mississippi Municipal League.

Grennell said he thinks it is important that the new members of the board — Ward 2 Alderman Billie Joe Frazier, Ward 4 Alderwoman Felicia Irving and Ward 5 Alderman Benjamin Davis — should attend the Washington, D.C., trip to gain the experience.

“I’ve never been to Washington, and I don’t think it’s hurt the city,” Smith said. “(The vote) will pass I’m sure, but I just feel like we’re holding other departments accountable to meet budget, and we’re going over, and it doesn’t represent well. But that’s just my opinion.”

Grennell said he did not realize Smith had never taken the Washington, D.C., trip during which city officials meet with the area’s legislative delegation.

Frazier said he had no problem with Smith’s comments regarding travel.

“But I am the lowest paid alderman on here, so I’m going on every one of (the trips),” he said.

Smith expressed disbelief at Frazier’s comments, only saying, “Wow, wow.”

Arceneaux-Mathis said the trips to conferences and to meet federal officials provide necessary networking and educational opportunities for city officials. Arceneaux-Mathis said she has brought back valuable information from the trips for city department heads, the chamber of commerce and others.

She emphasized that the trips were not frivolous trips during which officials played golf.

Smith agreed the trips were beneficial to the city, but said she still does not think every aldermen needs to attend every trip.

The changes to the community promotion and travel budgets passed 4-2, with Smith and Dillard voting against the motion.