City Council urges citizens to participate in operation budget process

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - City officials are calling out to citizens to participate in the annual operation budget process for the 2018 fiscal year.

The council of neighborhoods and city council met to discuss community advocacy and future ideas.

“The truth is we have a city with really aged infrastructure, we’re over one hundred years old, and we haven’t invested and kept up the capacity as the city has grown.” Hattiesburg Mayor, Toby Barker said.

Officials want citizens to avoid complacency and engage with city making decisions. “If you want to improve a city service or infrastructure in any kind of way, there has to be money in the budget for that." Ward 4, Deborah Delgado said.

"...many times neighborhood associations or groups will come and ask that certain projects be done, but if its not in the budget for that given year then you have to wait until we get the money or until the next year to get those things done.” Delgado continued to discuss if citizens stay quiet their input will not be heard, and the council will be forced to move forward.