Better water meters and better billing are on the way to Port Gibson in keeping with the new mayor’s pledge for more financial accountability.

“Almost all systems today integrate and they talk to each other,” said Jimmy Voss, a government finance professional and volunteer for Mayor Fred Reeves. The old system “didn’t do that. They should have changed it 10 years ago.”

Financial records at City Hall have for years been filed on three separate systems that couldn’t share information. With the new software, accounting records will be more accurate, Voss said.

“They couldn’t always find things. This will allow one department to borrow from another, and they can always find everything,” he said.

Voss, who is from Port Gibson but lives in Springfield, Mo., will be in his hometown next week to begin the process of entering data from the current system into the new system.

Reeves, who took office in January after ousting incumbent Amelda Arnold, said the city purchased the software for about $22,000, which does not include costs for training. He believes the new technology will help correct financial errors that often resulted in unpaid bills, lost reports and inappropriate use of funds.

“We have to get our hands on the financial situation,” he said, continuing his stance to correct the city’s financial instability, an issue plaguing its citizens for years.

His top priority since his run to become mayor has been to look back at old financial statements and determine why bills have gone unpaid.

“This will help us,” he said of the new software.

Voss said the system will allow all financial transactions to be tracked and will provide an inventory of the city’s assets. Customers will also be able to have utility costs directly withdrawn from bank accounts or may pay bills online.

Another improvement is upgrades to city water meters. Voss said about 800 meters have been identified as broken. Once the meters are repaired, customers who have been receiving inaccurate bills due to the inefficient hardware, will be charged correct amounts. The broken meters were affecting income received by the city for utilities that were being used but often not paid in full.

“Now, they’re going to tell the truth,” Voss said.

Voss said the people of Port Gibson can expect to benefit from the two changes that should take effect in the coming months.

“This will let them know where their money is coming from and where it is going,” he said.

Reeves’ election remains under a legal challenge to his residency. Arnold has maintained he was improperly qualified as a voter due to a tax filing in Illinois.

Other utilities in Port Gibson, including natural gas and electricity, are sold by private sector providers.