Adams County supervisors briefly discussed a proposal to select new members to the EDA board before the authority’s new structure is approved by the state Legislature.

The Natchez-Adams County Economic Development Authority now has a 15-member board, but the city and county are seeking state approval to reduce the board to five members — three appointed by the supervisors and two by the Natchez Board of Aldermen.

The Legislature cannot take up the matter until its spring session, but local officials received a request from the EDA to select the new board members ahead of time.

This would give new members a chance to participate in meetings, and become familiar with the workings of the board even if it must be in a nonvoting capacity, officials said.

&uot;I don’t think it would be a bad idea,&uot; said Supervisor Sammy Cauthen.

But some supervisors said they need to make sure the step is legal.

Bob Latham, an attorney filling in for board attorney Marion Smith Monday, told the board he was not sure if the step was legal if no positions where open for appointment.

After discussing the matter, board President Virginia Salmon said, &uot;We need to think on that, and perhaps I will bring that up again next week.&uot;

Supervisor Darryl Grennell said he supports the idea as long as it is legal.

Salmon also said she must make sure the idea is legal before she can make a decision.

&uot;(I) have no problem with it,&uot; she said. &uot;In fact I think the idea is very good, but we have to make sure we’re doing it right.&uot;

Supervisor Thomas &uot;Boo Campbell said he had had not given much thought to the matter.

&uot;I’m basically waiting on the legislation to come from Jackson,&uot; he said.

The future of the EDA has been in limbo since the January 1999 resignation of director Andi Quartey and 10 of the EDA members are serving on expired terms because of the transition period.

Cauthen said supervisors should not feel rushed to select members. &uot;There’s no emergency there,&uot; he said. &uot;You’ve got qualified people on the board now who can make decisions.&uot;

Easterling said he agrees qualified people are now serving on the EDA board, but &uot;we should do everything that will move (the EDA) forward,&uot; such as thinking of people who would made good EDA members.

He also supports selecting the people ahead of time as long as it is legal.

In other EDA business, the supervisors also voted Monday to accept Luther Dangerfield’s resignation from the EDA board. Dangerfield, who works in human resources at International Paper Natchez Mill, said he is resigning for health reasons.