Natchez looking to slash budget

NATCHEZ — Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton says he has asked for all department heads to cut 5 percent of their budgets by Friday.

Middleton says he took the action because the Mississippi River city is faced with lagging sales tax collections and falling revenues in other areas.

Middleton met with all city department heads Monday.

The Natchez Democrat reports that the city collected $409,969 in November 2009, down from $457,276 in November 2008 — a 10.35 percent drop. Sales tax collections are reported two months after the fact.

Total sales tax revenues for fiscal year 2010, which began Oct. 1, are $1.62 million.

Alderman Dan Dillard said the cuts are necessary to prevent more budget woes down the road.