Adams County’s decision to set aside money to hire a recreation director is perplexing.

Earlier this week county supervisors voted to set aside $45,000 — presumably to be combined with $15,000, health benefits and a vehicle from the City of Natchez — to hire a new consolidated countywide recreation director.

On one hand, we’re happy that someone is finally moving on improving recreation in Natchez-Adams County.

Adams County voters overwhelmingly supported the idea of creating a new city-county recreation facility in 2009 during a lopsided vote for a non-binding referendum on the matter.

On the other hand, should taxpayers hire someone to manage something that mostly doesn’t exist at the moment?

Although the City of Natchez, Adams County and the Natchez-Adams School District have discussed working together to create a new, state-of-the-art recreation complex, have they ever fully committed to do it?

We suppose it’s not absolutely necessary to have all of the details worked out prior to hiring someone, but shouldn’t we get a firm commitment to work together and fund the complex first?

Hiring the director before we know what that person will direct may be a bit like a woman who wants to get married, purchasing her own engagement ring so she’ll be ready when she finds Mr. Right.