Supervisors discuss recreation

By Emily Ham (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Friday, October 30, 2009

NATCHEZ — The Adams County Board of Supervisors met Thursday morning to interview four of five Hospital candidates for the hospital board, but conversation quickly turned to recreation.

The board discussed the interlocal agreement between the county, the City of Natchez and the Natchez-Adams School District and how it relates to the county’s budget.

After discussing comments made at the chamber of commerce’s recreation forum and comments made at different functions around the city about how the county should fund the construction of the complex if Adams County residents vote “yes” on Nov. 3, supervisors had their own thoughts to share.

“We have an interlocal agreement with three entities, and I thought all should be involved,” Supervisor Thomas “Boo” Campbell said.

Board President Henry Watts said if recreation is on the horizon for the county, the interlocal agreement needs to be followed.

“The intent of the original interlocal agreement — that was unanimously agreed on by all five supervisors — is that the county would have help in paying the debt for the recreation proposal from the city and from the school system, and it could be paid for that way,” Watts said.

“The agreement said we would share proportionally (in funding the project). Proportionally — what does that mean? Who determines the definition of ‘proportion?’”

Supervisor Mike Lazarus said the recreation discussion today started for a reason.

“The goal today was to show the other supervisors that the county does have sufficient funds in place to build the complex,” Lazarus said.

Lazarus said he believed the best course for the county to take if Adams County votes in favor of recreation Tuesday would be to fund the building of the facility and allow the city and school district to pay for the maintenance of the recreational facility.

“If (the board) wants to get the city and school involved, I would like to see them involved in maintenance operations — those are perpetual and goes on forever,” Lazarus said.

“With the county, the numbers are there. The county can afford to build this facility though a bond issue.”

However, Campbell said he disagrees that the county should have to pay for the entire project.

“It’s not fair. It’s not what the agreement was all about,” Campbell said. “We don’t have the money to do it by ourselves. The statement (that we did have it) was made, but you’ve got to look at the reality and the costs.

“It’ll cost over half a million dollars a year just to maintain it,” Campbell added. “I’m not trying to put a damper on the thing, but the reality is that you build it, but you also have to maintain it, and that’s not going to go anywhere.

“I think everybody should be equally responsible. Now, that doesn’t mean I think everybody should pay an equal amount, but everybody should play a part.”

Campbell, Lazarus and Watts said they agreed the interlocal agreement was set up to include all three entities, but each supervisor has his own interpretation of the agreement.

Interlocal agreement or not, Campbell and Lazarus said they see the citizens of Adams County voting a definite “yes” to recreation.

However, Watts said even if the vote were “no,” the supervisors would still want to pursue a recreational facility with the help of the city and the school board.

“I’d like to do something similar to the Muscle Shoals, Ala., proposal — it was $1.2 million — it wasn’t $5.4 million,” Watts said.

“The supervisors are still willing to pursue that whether it’s voted up or down. The question has always been how to finance it.”

However, until county citizens vote on Tuesday, all members of the board admit their discussion of the subject is moot.

“The funding of this thing is not on the table at this particular junction,” Campbell said. “Giving people an opportunity to vote on it is the most important thing now.

“We serve at the will of the people, and if the majority of the people are speaking, it’s a done deal. I’m glad they have the opportunity to vote on it.”