Appropriation; City of Natchez for Concord Avenue Drainage Improvement Project.
The funds will facilitate several key improvements aimed at enhancing drainage capabilities, which includes removal of existing surface materials, excavating current materials, lowering street elevations, and adding new granular materials. Furthermore, the project plans to enhance the infrastructure with asphalt surfaces, curbing, gutters, and drainage pipes to effectively capture and manage storm runoff, leading to its eventual flow to a natural drainage stream. These improvements are intended to mitigate flooding and enhance the municipal drainage system.
House Bill 135 is a legislative act authored by Representative Johnson that allocates funding to the city of Natchez, Mississippi, specifically for the Concord Avenue Drainage Improvement Project. The bill aims to appropriate a sum of $2,263,275 from the State General Fund for the fiscal year 2026. This funding is intended to cover the costs associated with the execution of drainage improvements in the designated project area.
The bill outlines the project to be executed in three distinct phases, each with its specified construction costs totaling approximately $2.26 million. The financing method involves the State Treasurer disbursing the funds upon warrant issuance by the State Fiscal Officer, which includes requisitions signed by appropriate authorities as stipulated by law. Initial reactions to the bill indicate a general alignment on the necessity for improved infrastructure in Natchez; however, there may be discussions regarding prioritizing state funds and the impact on the state budget.