NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez’s government is working to create a new department to meet its engineering needs.

The Natchez Board of Aldermen and the board of Natchez Water Works met Tuesday to discuss the transition of the city from contracting engineering services with Water Works to having its own engineering department.

Natchez Water Works is owned by the city, but operates independently with its own board. It has for many years contracted with the city through an inter local agreement to provide engineering services.

“They have done that well for a while, but essentially the Water Works superintendent brought it to the board (of aldermen) not to renew the interlocal agreement because their demands for their needs are just at a point where they are not going to be able to provide those services to the city,” Alderman Dan Dillard said.

Water Works Superintendent David Gardner, who also serves as the city engineer, said Water Works has worked up an engineering department for the city to adopt, and will continue to work with the city during the transition.

“We hope to get everything in place by the end of the year, no later than February,” Gardner said.

The proposed budget for the department is approximately $222,000. The last interlocal agreement between the city and Water Works was for $270,000.

Alderwoman Sarah Smith said most projects that require specialized engineering already have funding included in them for the city to contract with engineering firms that are certified to handle such projects.

“If we are going to go the route of an office versus outsourcing all of it, I think an office will be more beneficial for the city in the long run,” Smith said. “There are a lot of small issues that the engineer can give quick advice on that I think having to outsource for would not be cost-efficient for us.”

Alderman Mark Fortenbery likewise emphasized the fact that most major projects have funding for engineering included in them, and suggested the city outsource the engineer’s position specifically.

““We might keep some department there that does everyday things, but I don’t think the board (of aldermen) may realize what a deal we were getting with Mr. Gardner being with Water Works and (engineering for) the city,” he said.

Dillard said the creation of the new department could be better characterized as the creation of an office manned by someone with an engineering degree, an assistant and a secretary.

“We don’t need a department that has all the bells and whistles to build bridges and aqueducts and that kind of thing,” he said. “We do need an engineer to identify the problems we are having for public works and direct their efforts and to be the city’s point man for projects that you do contract out.”

Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis and Alderman Ricky Gray could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Alderman Tony Fields did not attend the meeting.