NATCHEZ — The Natchez Board of Aldermen approved Tuesday a $66,000 contract with a golf management company that is taking over operation of the Duncan Park golf course.

In the contract, Mayor Butch Brown said, the course will be managed by golf pro Tom Carter, and the grounds will be managed by Greg Brooking.

The company will also manage the pro shop, which Brown said the city hopes eliminates abuse of golf course services.

“We have people come in and play without ever going through the pro shop,” he said.

The golf course was, years ago, managed by an outside company, Brown said, and he said he believes it is better to have a professional company managing the different aspects of the course.

In other news from the meeting:

-The board gave City Engineer David Gardner permission to advertise for proposals for inspection services for the next phase of the North Natchez Drainage Project.

Work for phases I and II-A of the project replaced underground drainage pipes and equipment on Canal Street to Madison Street to Wall Street and finally to Oak Street. Phase II-B will entail drainage work for Buckner’s Alley, such as the field behind the Natchez Children’s Home and the areas going toward Elm Street.

Phase II-C, the last phase of the project, will include Maple and Walworth streets.

The $3 million phase II-B is being funded through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Environmental Infrastructure and Resource Protection and Development Program, also known as Section 592, and requires a 25-percent cost share match from the city.

-The board gave Community Development Director James Johnston permission to advertise for proposals for planning services to update the city’s code.

-The board took bids under advisement for security services at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center.

-During the board’s finance session before its regular meeting, Brown proposed that the playground equipment from the playground on Madison Street be relocated to the bluff near the former pecan factory site.

Brown said he believes the equipment would get more use at the bluff and would go well with the plans for redevelopment of the bluff.

“Right now there’s nothing on the bluff for the children,” he said.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, whose ward the playground is in, said she liked the idea and would like to be involved in the plans to relocate the equipment.