The Natchez Board of Aldermen voted 5-1 Tuesday night to adopt a preliminary budget which includes the first increase in city taxes in more than a decade.

Based on a series of recent budget hearing meetings held by the mayor, aldermen and city clerk, Ward 3 Alderman Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West said the increase would be a little more than 7 mills.

City Clerk Donnie Holloway confirmed the proposed increase — &uot;the first in 15 years&uot; — to be &uot;in the neighborhood&uot; of 7 mills.

The millage rate refers to property taxes. City residents also pay property taxes to the county. The current millage rate in the city is about 33 mills, making the proposal a more than 20 percent increase.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux voted against the motion.

Arceneaux was unable to attend Tuesday’s budget meeting, held prior to the regular business meeting, and said she needs more information before signing off on the preliminary budget and proposed tax increase.

Arceneaux said she is &uot;unready&uot; to join the other aldermen in approving the preliminary budget, and wants to understand why the tax increase would be necessary before &uot;putting her vote in the yea column.&uot;

The aldermen also set a public hearing for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, in City Council Chambers on Pearl Street.

By law, the mayor and aldermen are required to hold a public hearing at which the budget, including the tax increase, may be explained to and questioned by citizens before it can be put into action.

In defense of the aldermen’s decision, West said the city has not raised taxes in 15 years, while the consumer price index and workers’ wages have steadily risen.

&uot;Requests from the taxpayers is greater today than it was 15 years ago,&uot; West said.

Until he can &uot;sit down in front of the numbers,&uot; Holloway said he is unsure exactly how the money pulled in from a proposed tax increase would be put to use, but economic development and debt service would be included.