Three Adams County supervisors who voted to stop funding the Economic Development Authority did so without first bothering to read the law that governed the dollars.

The board president — who bragged about going through the county budget line by line in August — says he didn’t know the EDA funding came from tax millage until recently.

And, instead of formally requesting a written opinion from the attorney general’s office on the whole matter, the board simply handled things verbally, which, in the case of attorney general opinions, is not considered official.

The lack of basic research by these supervisors is beyond jaw dropping. It’s appalling and frightening.

The EDA issue is no longer about the EDA; it’s about the way these men are governing our county.

Can taxpayers trust leaders who make decisions first and look at the law later?

Can voters hand their money to a man who claims to study the budget, but doesn’t grasp the basics of understanding revenue sources?

Board President Henry Watts, who appears to be the ringleader of the EDA decision, has adopted the approach of “it’s my way or the highway” lately.

He’s governing with his fist and mouth, not his brain.

Unfortunately, two other supervisors are letting him lead them astray, and the taxpayers are left wondering what exactly we’ve gotten ourselves into.

The guilty supervisors owe the community an apology. The only thing left to do at this point is admit total fault, ask forgiveness and promise to do better.

Ultimately, taxpayers will decide the punishment at the next election — if not sooner.