County begins working through budget

By Adam Koob (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Friday, August 14, 2009

NATCHEZ — In what was the first of many lengthy meetings to come, the Adams County Board of Supervisors gathered Thursday to begin work on the county’s budget.

Board President Henry Watts said no official action was taken on the budget at the meeting.

“Right now we’re still waiting on budgets from some department heads,” Watts said.

Watts also said the board is waiting on a finalized copy of the tax roll from Adams County Tax Assessor and revenue projection for the coming year from County Administrator Cathy Walker.

Citing personnel issues the board meet in executive session from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the first day of meetings.

“It’s always a lengthy process,” Watts said.

Supervisor Mike Lazarus said the first day of budget talks went smoothly.

“Right now we’re still getting an idea of what we have to work with,” Lazarus said. “But we know we want to keep a tight budget.”

At the end of budget discussions last year the supervisors were able to lower the millage by one mil.

And this year, like last year, Watts has set a personal goal in budgeting — lowering the counties expenditures further.

Thursday was too soon to say how much the board could possibly lower the budget, Watts said.