The Board of Mayor and Aldermen took the final necessary steps before spending the $9.2 million in general obligation bonds for capital improvements, moving the money from the city’s pool account to a special account to handle the funds.

While the transfer is an accounting measure to better monitor how the money is spent, it also creates transparency for the taxpayers who will be able, if necessary, to see for themselves how the bond money is being spent.

But another issue involving the money has nothing to do with where it is kept or how it’s monitored — spending.

Board members in July discussed the potential increase in cost for some of the projects, like paving, that could force them to reconsider what is a very ambitious program to pave streets in the North and South wards.

City Attorney Nancy Thomas told the board July 25 the total estimate for resurfacing Martin Luther King and Mission 66, two major North Ward streets in rough condition, is $1.5 million, adding, “We only allocated $1 million for the first stage, so we‘re just not going to pave as many streets as planned.”

While he did not give figures, Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said estimates for new pavilions at City Park and the Vicksburg Farmers’ Market at the corner of Jackson and Washington streets, are running over the money allocated for the projects. The board dedicated $350,000 for a new City Park pavilion and $550,000 for the farmers’ market.

City officials have already received sticker shock when bids for the city’s auxiliary waterline project came in between $8 million and $7.3 million, more than double the $3.565 million budget for the project.

The board on Aug. 3 advertised for bids to pave streets in the South Ward and is expected to advertise soon for bid for the North Ward paving list. If the estimate Thomas gave in July is correct, it means the board may have to rethink its paving plan, and might have to look at other projects on the capital improvements list — like building renovations and recreation facilities upgrades that could also be affected by escalating construction costs.

Faced with the potential of increased costs and the need to repair aging city streets and infrastructure, it may be time the board sits down, get a good handle on cost versus available funds and start making adjustments now.

No one argues the city needs to improve streets, buildings and facilities, but people want to see public money spent wisely, and with a new budget year a few months away, the board should exercise its conservative spending practices and make sure it uses its money wisely in the areas that need it, not in the areas that are politically favorable to the voters.

The capital improvements program the board has set out is flexible. It allows for changes and adjustments to address the city’s more immediate needs, and that’s where the board should focus as it considers new priorities for improvements. Other work will come with time.