NATCHEZ — When the Adams County Board of Supervisors starts its new year Monday, the first order of business may be to elect a different president.

“Last year we agreed to rotate the presidency,” current President Henry Watts said. “Of course it has to be voted on who the president is going to be.”

According to Supervisor Thomas “Boo” Campbell, only Watts and Darryl Grennell have expressed interesting being president of the board.

“I was president a long time ago, and I definitely didn’t want it,” Campbell said. “This year we will probably start the rotation again, and I think it’s Darryl’s time.”

Watts said he thinks supervisors saw a different style of leadership while he was president in 2008 and 2009.

“I believe the supervisors probably saw a different view this year and some of them learned you have to do it a little different,” Watts said.

Watts said two of the characteristics he hopes to see exhibited by the next president are fiscal responsibility and open communication between all supervisors.

Supervisor Mike Lazarus said there are certain characteristics he looks for in a board president.

“I would like him to be open minded, willing to listen and be able to talk to industrial prospects when they come to town,” Lazarus said.

Lazarus said an optimistic attitude is also a trait the next president should exhibit.

“I like the attitude of ‘trust, but verify.’ I don’t like skepticism,” Lazarus said. “I want a board president that treats everyone with the respect they deserve. You never know which industrial prospect is the one.”

Having served as board president for five terms, Supervisor Darryl Grennell said there are key elements to being a successful leader.

“Some important qualities to help (a president) are good leadership skills, good communication skills with not only your colleagues, but the people of Adams County and the third thing is good skills in parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order in order to carry on an executive meeting,” Grennell said.

Grennell said another good quality in a leader is keeping your colleagues informed about what’s going on outside of the meetings.

According to Campbell, there is no magic formula for what makes a good president and each of his fellow supervisors is just as qualified to lead as the next.

“The one thing a president needs to do is be fair and consistent with all board members,” Campbell said.

Having served on the board with both Grennell and Watts serving as president, Supervisor S.E. “Spanky” Felter said he would be happy to work with either man again.

“I just want to be back in good financial shape,” Felter said. “Henry and Darryl are both good board presidents, so either one of them are fine with me.”

The supervisors will meet at 9 a.m. on Jan. 4 in the supervisor’s office board room.