County supervisors: Aid for renovating city fire station unlikely

April 05--NATCHEZ -- The City of Natchez asked Adams County Monday to commit $100,000 to aid with a grant application for renovating a city fire station. County leaders effectively said, "Probably not," in response.

"If there is a way to help, I'd like to see us do it," District 2 Supervisor David Carter said. "We need to support and take care of our first responders. We do support city fire."

The problem is the county is also seeking funds for a different project from the same grant source.

The Natchez Board of Aldermen is seeking to apply for a Community Development Block Grant, to make renovations to a fire station on Vaughn Drive, which was constructed in 1977.

County Administrator Joe Murray said a potential conflict exists in having the county agree to help fund the city project -- the county is also seeking a CDBG for $300,000 to replace the roof on the Adams County Health Department building.

The firehouse has many issues, Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said, including a lack of access for disabled persons, mildew, lack of privacy in the sleeping quarters and an inadequate equipment.

"It is just a dated building that needs to be updated," Grennell said.

Plus the building has one detail Grennell said concerns him as a professor who taught microbiology for years -- birds living in the attic. When Grennell toured the building before taking his oath of office, he noticed the firefighters had lit candles to unsuccessfully cover up a distinct foul smell.

"What we were smelling was the fecal matter of the birds," Grennell said. "Immediately a red flag went up in my head."

Grennell said the funding could be planned ahead for the 2018 fiscal year, as the matching funds for the grant would not be due until then.

Natchez Community Development Director James Johnston also presented the funding formula for CDBG grants and the point system used. Johnston said the more money in the match, the more points the project receives and the more likely the project would be funded.

Johnston said President Donald Trump's proposed federal budget would eliminate the CDBG program, so this year could be the last year they are available.

Murray said the match for the health department roof would be $150,000. Murray said it is possible the county's project could not get funded because the city's project was funded. Murray said only $4 million in funding exists in the CDBG pool.

Supervisor President Mike Lazarus said the county is going to fix the health department's roof.

"This is what happens when you don't if roofs," Lazarus said of the Vaughn Drive fire station. "You end up having to do so much at one time."

District 5 Supervisor Calvin Butler said the Vaughn Drive station covers much of his district, so he was supportive of the project.

District 4 Supervisor Ricky Gray said he understands the need as a former alderman who was fire commissioner. However, Gray said the board should take the issue under advisement.

"We can't make a decision right now," he said. "We need to come back during budget time."

The city also presented the county with the option to write a letter of support for the city's CDBG project.

Gray motioned the county approve the letter of support pending advice from Southwest Planning District's Allen Laird on whether the letter would impact the county's CBDG project.

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