TUPELO - The public comment period on a proposed postal consolidation ended this week, and a decision is likely within three months.

The U.S. Postal Service wants to move Tupelo's outgoing mail processing operations to Memphis, a plan officials say could save the federal agency $181,000 annually. Six postal employees would be directly affected by the move.

But postal workers here oppose the plan and have the support of Tupelo's Mayor and City Council, the Lee County Board of Supervisors, both Mississippi senators and U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, D-Miss.

A public hearing earlier this month in Tupelo drew a crowd that mostly opposed the move because they feared not only the job cuts but a dropoff in service. Written comments also were accepted through Thursday's deadline for comment.

The USPS is expected to announce its decision in 60-90 days, said Beth Barnett, spokeswoman for the Mississippi district.

It's unclear how much weight the USPS will place on public commentary, but Barnett said it will be considered in the final decision.

Neither Barnett nor USPS Mississippi Consumer Affairs Manager Doug Kyle would say how many letters they received about the Tupelo consolidation.

They also declined to reveal whether most letters supported or opposed the plan.leaving the fate of Tupelo's mail operations in the hands of corporate officials.

Tupelo is one of several dozen cities nationwide whose mail processing operations are under study for consolidation.

Contact Emily Le Coz at (662) 678-1588 or emily.lecoz@djournal.com.