City wise to consider proposals

Published 12:03 am Friday, September 1, 2017

Fishing for a better deal almost always makes financial sense, particularly when cash is tight.

Saving a few pennies here and a few dimes there makes for a smart consumer.

In the same way, the City of Natchez is wise to consider accepting requests for proposals on the management of the Natchez Convention Center.

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Mayor Darryl Grennell suggested the city might seek proposals earlier this week to see what private management companies might offer in the way of a contract to manage the city-owned convention center.

This comes on the heels of the city engaging an accounting firm to perform a financial review of the center’s recent operations.

While both moves may seem to indicate the city is unhappy with the work of current management contract holder New Orleans Hotel Consultants, we think it just makes good sense.

The financial review, when made public, should help the public — and the aldermen — better understand how much money comes in and flows out of the massive building. Only then can aldermen get a handle on how effective the current management is.

Afterward, the city will be in a better position to seek requests for management proposals and have good context in what they are seeking in a potential new manager.