Extra grant money for a water park in North Natchez Park proved just enough to pave the gravel roads surrounding the site.

When the city received a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant in May, aldermen set aside $50,000 in the city’s budget for the required match.

Even with $100,000 in hand, the project funding was short of the estimated $124,600 construction cost. And, none of the figures included the cost of paving the surrounding gravel roads.

But, a surprisingly low bid of $77,181 by R.W. Delaney Construction of Natchez last month left $22,819 in funding for the project.

At Tuesday’s finance committee meeting, James Johnston, Natchez Economic and Community Development coordinator, said a recent estimation on the cost of paving three gravel roads accessing the site of the water park came to $22,800.

Several aldermen, led by Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West, Ward 4, and James &uot;Ricky&uot; Gray, Ward 2, had recently expressed concern over the gravel roads.

In fact, West had asked the city’s engineering department to perform the paving estimate at the last board meeting.

At the request of the city, the Adams County Board of Supervisors had also agreed to contribute to the resurfacing project by donating a few loads of gravel.

Board President Virginia Salmon said Tuesday the county is still &uot;happy to cooperate.&uot;

&uot;We just need to know what is expected,&uot; Salmon said.

Before the city can put the left-over funds to use, aldermen need the approval of the Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development, who administered the grant.

In other business, the board:

4Accepted an amended inter-local agreement from the Adams County Board of Supervisors renewing the fire protection contract for one year at a cost to the county of $422,000.

4Received a proclamation from Mayor F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith designating Sat., Oct. 14, as British Heritage Day.

4Accepted the resignation of Bob Dodson from the Natchez Historic Preservation Commission.

4Set a public hearing to explain and receive public comment about a $38,549 technology grant recently received by the Natchez Police Department for Nov. 14.

4Heard the report of Sabrena Bartley, Natchez Senior Citizen Multi-Purpose Center, who announced that Natchez Transit recently received two grants from the Department of Transportation totaling about $356,000. Bartley said the grants were on-going, but the amount was increased this year.

The senior center also received six grants from the Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District, one of which will fund Medicaid waver meals with more than $250,000.

4Approved advertisement for bids for legal, appraisal and review appraisal services for the rebuilding of Government Fleet Road.

4Heard the report of Natchez Fire Chief Gary Winborne who recently attended the dedication of a firefighters memorial in Maryland. Winborne is the president of the Mississippi Fire Chiefs Association.

4Heard the report of the tourism department that visitor numbers were down 10 percent in August, but rose again in September and are &uot;on track&uot; with the last year’s numbers for October.

4Heard the report of Paul Dawes, inspection department, who said the city issued 115 various permits in September for a total of $4,521 received by the city.

4 Heard the report of Yvonne Robbins, Veterans Services, who said she plans to visit the Veterans Administration in Jackson next week to gather information about a future Natchez clinic.

4Approved a motion to develop a bill to send with delegation to develop a water park in Natchez State Park.