Officials of a Pascagoula-based corrections company told Adams County officials on Monday that they want to operate a juvenile justice center being built at State and Pearl streets.

But if officials of Mississippi Security Police are going to submit a proposal for operating the facility, they better hurry, said Adams County Juvenile Court Judge John Hudson.

Hudson met briefly with Tony Best and company President Nicky Maxwell Monday.

In their Monday morning meeting, Adams County supervisors told the pair they would have to submit a proposal to Hudson.

&uot;I told them if they’ve got a proposal, make it to the board and me, and we would certainly consider it – we’re keeping all our options open,&uot; Hudson said.

&uot;In the meantime, we’re going on with our plans for operation of the facility,&uot; he said. &uot;The operation will begin in September, and I&160;told them that because of that we would have to have the proposal quickly – not in months or weeks, but quickly.&uot;

Still, no deadline has yet been set for Maxwell and Best to submit such a proposal.

Maxwell told Adams County supervisors during the board’s Monday meeting that a facility the company operates in Jackson County is being run more cheaply than public entities could run it.

But no figures were given, and Hudson said Mississippi Security Police officials do not yet know how cheaply the Adams County facility could be run.

&uot;That’s what they’ve got to find out,&uot;&160;Hudson said.

Mississippi Security Police is also scheduled to begin operating a facility in Harrison County within the next month, Maxwell said.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board of Supervisors:

4Voted to start a lease-purchase agreement for road equipment through First Continental Bank.

4Adopt a joint resolution with the Hospital Board to lease county property for a medical office building.

4Buy 45 radio units at $328 each from Kay Radio and Electronics of Vidalia for Adams County Civil Defense.

4Allow Civil Defense Director George Souderes to apply for $50,000 in insurance revenues from the state to use in buying a new fire truck.

4Write a letter to Alcorn State University officials asking them to help prepare an application for Adams and Jefferson counties to be considered a federal enterprise community.

The board adjourned until its July 2 meeting.