NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams School District may seek a larger share of the county’s tax pie to fund the district’soperations during a special-called meeting at 10 a.m. today.

On or before Aug. 15 of each year, the school board is allowed to request an increase in the dollar amount received from annual ad valorem tax revenue by up to 4 percent while the overall contribution of county taxpayers is determined by the assessed property value each year.

Monica Anderson, the business manager for NASD said during a board meeting Monday that assessed property values in Adams County have decreased by $3 million from last year.

The district estimates it would have received $13,074,561.30 in ad valorem tax revenue with no increase, and $13,336,052.53 with a requested tax increase of 2 percent.

After the district requests a 2-percent increase, the district would still have $417,000 less revenue than the previous tax-year, Anderson said, due the district having lowered its millage request last year.

Board member Philip West said the board should not leave the request at 2 percent if the district would receive less funding as a result.

“What is the rationale in that?” West said. “Before we even know what the state (will contribute) we’re asking for less money.”

Board member Renee Wall said the district should not request more money from the county just because they can without first determining how that money is needed.

“If this is already in the budget, we shouldn’t take more than what we need,” Wall said.

Superintendent Fred Butcher said because of property values decreasing, the board should consider revising their requested amount.

“We’ll be taking a double-hit,” Butcher said. “We’ve taken a hit with the assessed property value going down and then we’re asking for less.”

Anderson said the board is allowed to change its request up to a 4-percent increase, with which the board estimates they would receive a total of $13,597,543.75 from ad valorem taxes.

The board is holding a special meeting at 10 a.m. today to meet the Aug. 15 deadline.

In other matters at the school board unanimously approved the purchase of four school buses from Waters Truck and Tractor for a total of $306,400. Butcher said the buses would be used to transport students to field-trips or other extra-curricular activities.