Ten projects included in the city of Vicksburg’s fiscal 2016 budget will either be eliminated or reduced under a plan proposed by the city’s budget oversight committee to make up a more than $400,000 deficit caused by four ongoing projects approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Cutting or reducing the 10 projects, which City Attorney Nancy Thomas said, “We’re not going to do this year,” is anticipated to free up $498,600 to cover the $497,208 shortfall created by the four projects.

Mayor George Flaggs Jr. is expected to present the recommendations to the board April 4.

The committee meeting came after Flaggs said Monday the city did not have enough money to fund the four proposed projects: expansion of tennis courts at Halls Ferry Park, $605,497; installation of an elevator at the Vicksburg Municipal Airport, $285,711; additional funding for the renovations to the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad Depot, a $30,000 match; and lights and surveillance equipment at the city parking garages $346,000.

The budget for all four totals $1.26 million. The board’s total budget for them is $770,000.

Flaggs said the high cost for three of the projects were caused by increases in equipment, material and construction costs. The renovation project received extra federal grant money requiring a match that was not budgeted.

“When we budget these projects, we have to make a best-guess estimate,” Nancy Thomas said. “You really don’t know the full cost until the bids come in.”

Flaggs and city Accounting Director Doug Whittington said the cuts do not involve city services and will not affect the city’s revenues.

“This is just expense reductions,” Whittington said.

“We didn’t touch the bond money and we didn’t increase estimated revenues to cover any expense,” Thomas said.

“I my opinion, none of these cuts will impede the services and the progress we’re making,” Flaggs said. “This will not affect our (bond) rating.”

The list of cuts includes:

• Metalwork renovations: The budget for reworking the city’s metal railings, signs and other metal work was $75,000. The committee cut $50,000, leaving $25,000 to paint railings and city signs.

• Animal control expansion: The expansion was delayed and the $15,000 reallocated.

• Waterfront expansion: The board approved $133,600 to expand the waterfront area at Clay Street to prepare for Viking River Cruises, which announced plans in July to begin cruises on the Mississippi River in the future.

The city planned to expand the riverfront and lease mooring space to Viking. Thomas said the topography studies on the site have been done, but the city has not heard anything from Viking about its plans.

• The Jackson Street gym floor: The city budgeted $190,000 to replace the gym floor, but Thomas said an estimate from one company put the replacement cost at $125,000. The budget was reduced to $140,000, freeing up $50,000.

• The city allocated a total of $80,000 in matching funds for anticipated Mississippi Archives and History and Delta Regional Authority grants. None are expected this fiscal year, Thomas said.

• Bike trail grant match: The board approved $10,000 for matching funds for a bicycle grant, but did not receive the grant.

• Cemetery expansion: The board approved $10,000 to open a new section of Cedar Hill Cemetery. Whittington said city sexton Venable Moore said he would begin work on the section using existing materials.

• Convention Center lighting: The board approved $104,000 for a new lighting system at the Vicksburg Convention Center, but the project will be delayed.

• New roof for the city traffic department building: The roof was part of a city plan to replace aging roofs on several city buildings this fiscal year, including the Central Fire Station, Fire Station No. 6 and the city’s vehicle maintenance building.

The decision to hold the $36,000 for the traffic building, Thomas said, was based on the recommendation of building maintenance supervisor Sammie Rainey.