City planning can be boring, even a little annoying, to some people. But it’s among the most important things a city can do after public safety and health matters.

Planning helps protect property and property owners from harm and helps provide a functional oversight to the city’s property use.

Natchez City Planner Robert Nix appears to be unlike the last several city planners we’ve had; he’s quickly working to get things in the office corrected and off on the right foot.

From all indications, he’s working to dot all of the Is and cross all of the Ts with city planning functions.

Nix wisely is seeking to get things in order on the Natchez Planning Commission. He’s noticed that eight of the nine commission members’ terms have expired and he’s asking for the Natchez Board of Aldermen to fix this.

Apparently, both the city attorney and the board of aldermen don’t see any urgency in getting things “righted.” Fortunately for city residents, Nix does.

We’re glad Nix is doing his job by not settling for the status quo and setting the minimum expectation a little higher than the “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” that seems to permeate some of the city’s leadership.

Planning is important and getting both the existing laws tightened up and properly enforced and the commission on solid ground is an excellent way to get the ship righted again.