NATCHEZ — A majority “yes” vote on Nov. 3 might mean a solid recreation plan is only months away. A “no” vote would signify the death of recreation improvements in Adams County.

That was the message approximately 60 county residents heard Monday night at a Chamber of Commerce-sponsored recreation forum.

A panel of six recreation committee members fielded questions and offered explanations about the poll that will be on the upcoming ballot.

Those present expressed concerns on what the facility would house, the logistics behind the recreational facility’s time line and who would be in charge.

Panelists all agreed that if the majority of Adams County voters check “yes” on their ballots, the first step toward creating a recreational environment within the county would be to appoint a nine-person committee to oversee decisions made pertaining to the construction of the facility.

Attorney Walter Brown said if the referendum passed on Nov. 3, the committee — to be named at a later date — would be put in place to decide the actions taken from that moment forward.

“If this passes on Nov. 3, there is no reason the county government can’t adopt a resolution within 90 days after the nine-person committee comes back with a plan,” Brown said.

Construction costs are listed on the ballot at no more than $5,450,000, but Natchez Mayor Jake Middleton said the project could come in well under that figure.

Former Natchez Mayor Tony Byrne said there had been talk about instating a 1 percent sales tax within Natchez to help fund the construction of the project, but the request would have to be approved by the legislature, which could take up to five years.

Brown and Byrne said bonds would be the most probable way to fund the facility. Byrne said while he was aware some area leaders were apprehensive about who would be responsible for the bonds, it would be best if the county handled the bonds since it encompasses the city and the schools.

“That’s exactly where (the bonds) belong — in the county,” Byrne said.

Adams County Supervisor Mike Lazarus had similar ideas on the bond situation.

“The county should be the mechanics to pay for this,” he said.

Aside from the logistics of how to pay for the building, panelists also focused on what the county would gain from the facility.

“We’re investing in our future,” Natchez Alderman Ernest “Tony” Fields said. “I’m actually jealous. This should have happened in the ’80s when I could have benefited from it.”

The night’s forum ended with panelists sharing their thoughts on what the repercussions of a “no” vote would mean for the county.

“(If you vote no,) you just killed recreation for the next 20 years,” Lazarus said. “No politician will ever bring it up again.”