NATCHEZ &045;&045; Former Economic Development Authority Director Andi Quartey is working for local officials again, though only on a contractual basis.

City claims dockets approved by the Board of Aldermen show the city had paid Quartey $9,446 for contractual services as of March 16, all but $237 of it during the fiscal year that started in October.

The payments to Quartey fell under the budget category of community development.

Mayor Phillip West said Wednesday Quartey, now a consultant living in Jackson, is acting as a liaison with federal departments with which he has contacts.

Those departments include the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

West visited USDA’s Washington, D.C., headquarters early last month with a wish list of projects for which the city hopes to receive federal funding.

West said those proposals, which ranged from developing housing for the elderly to establishing a center to help locals apply for grants, were written by Quartey and city Grants Coordinator Brett Brinegar.

&uot;He’s helping out where he has contacts at the USDA and puts me together with people in various agencies,&uot; Brinegar said.

&uot;He helps in idea development. Basically, he’s working as a consultant on special projects, not in a day-to-day role.&uot;

Quartey resigned as EDA director in January 1999 to work in economic development for the City of Jackson. He could not be reached for comment prior to press time.