Freshman Natchez Alderman Billie Joe Frazier needs to rethink his approach to spending public money.

In a discussion Tuesday in which aldermen were wrestling with budget changes, Frazier made a comment that flies in the face of good government leadership and seems to represent the worst approach a public servant can have — one of entitlement.

In a discussion over Mayor Darryl Grennell’s request to increase the city administration’s travel budget, Grennell suggested the increase in spending was needed to cover his plan to bring three new aldermen with him on an upcoming Washington, D.C., lobbying trip.

Another member of the board suggested having multiple people go on the same trip would be overkill and wasteful spending, prompting Frazier’s disappointing response.

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

Frazier seems to be equating official, city travel to a perk that helps offset what he appears to deem as inadequate compensation for his part-time job as alderman.

Frazier, a retired Natchez police officer, is the “lowest paid” because he opted to reduce his pay to avoid affecting his state retirement.

That is his choice, as was his decision to run for office in retirement. He knew what the pay would be — or should have — before he ever put his name on the ballot.

Choosing how to spend city funds is also his choice. Voters in his ward elected him to serve the city’s best interests.

Taxpayers pay for aldermen’s travel. Those taxpayers expect to see results from such ventures.

Frazier owes an apology to the hardworking men and women who pay his salary and who fund any trips he makes on behalf of the City of Natchez.

The city’s money should not be viewed as a cookie jar from which those entrusted by the public can merely gobble up at their whim.