NATCHEZ &8212; A special called meeting of the Natchez mayor and board of aldermen ended quickly Tuesday at City Hall with approval of a resolution that puts the city a step closer to receiving Community Development Block Grant funds for drainage improvements in the Zoa Street and Bluff Heights areas.

The Mississippi Development Authority plans a May 24 visit to the site of proposed CDBG-funded water system improvements. The resolution passed by the board states the city&8217;s responsibilities in maintaining the improvements once completed.

The board then met in a budget work session that revealed frustration from some aldermen not only about the budget but also about how city departments are carrying out board directions.

City Clerk Donnie Holloway updated the board on the city&8217;s expenditures for health insurance.

Income from premiums has fallen, and money paid out has increased.

To date, the city has paid about $367,500 for the fiscal year, and 53 percent of that was for six people, Holloway said.

&8220;It&8217;s just been hitting us hard. It will get better,&8221; Holloway said.

Overall, the city&8217;s finances are in good shape, Holloway said. &8220;Our sales tax is up and we&8217;re in good shape at this time,&8221; he said.

&8220;The projected fund balance for the end of the fiscal year is about $389,000. That&8217;s projected &8212; if we keep going the way we&8217;re going now.&8221;

The only noteworthy recent budget request received was from City Tourism Director Walter Tipton for an additional $95,000, Holloway said.

&8220;Everything has gone up, and we&8217;ve had more conventions and more people working. There has been a big utility increase,&8221; Holloway said.

Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux Mathis said, &8220;If he books more conventions, he stays open longer, his costs will be up. Does he need more money in his budget to run the place?&8221;

Mathis also asked whether the Natchez Convention Center should increase rates.

Alderman Theodore &8220;Bubber&8221; West asked about the board&8217;s discussion a few years back about hiring a management company to run the convention center.

&8220;I hear Vicksburg has turned theirs around by getting a management firm,&8221; he said.

Aldermen agreed to meet as the City Finance Committee at 4 p.m. on May 23 prior to the regular 5 p.m. meeting at the Council Chamber. The agenda will include a report from the tourism director.

West inquired about speed bumps that had been authorized by the board but not yet installed and whether budget constraints were the reason.

Mathis said that people in her district also &8220;are asking where my speed bumps are.&8221;

West said the two he inquired about are in the Concord Park area. &8220;Summer is coming. It&8217;s unsafe in that area. This board unanimously agreed to those speed bumps,&8221; he said.

From speed bumps, the board turned to pubic buildings requiring attention &8212; and expenditures. They include the NAPAC museum and Senior City Center. &8220;It&8217;s all over the city,&8221; Holloway said.

Mayor Phillip West said board members should have a clear understanding of all the problems before making budget decisions.

That includes knowing which speed bumps have been authorized, what buildings require work and what projected costs might be and whether public works employees are prepared for summer grass cutting.

Ricky Gray said his constituents are complaining of high grass. &8220;We have serious problems with some of these lots that need the grass cut,&8221; he said. &8220;The situation is out of control.&8221;

Mayor West suggested a meeting with public works and property committees in the near future.