NATCHEZ — The current City of Natchez engineering department could dissolve if the board of aldermen doesn’t take action soon.

The city and Natchez Water Works signed an inter-local agreement seven years ago that created the current engineering department, which is not directly run by the city.

The contract was renewed two years ago, but is set to expire May 31, City Engineer David Gardner said.

Gardner is the superintendent of Water Works.

The city’s engineering department — as funded through the contract — has six other employees in addition to Gardner.

It oversees public works in addition to engineering.

“You can’t just stop that cold turkey,” Gardner said Monday. “If you stop that abruptly, it’s got some pretty good ramifications.”

The consequences, Gardner said, relate to $16 million worth of ongoing projects in the city led by engineering.

Gardner is on the agenda for the aldermen’s 9 a.m. finance meeting today at the Natchez Council Chambers.

He said he plans to bring up the contract and seek a renewal.

Prior to the contract, Gardner was the city engineer, but he resigned to take the Natchez Water Works job. The contract was agreed upon after that.