NATCHEZ — In an effort to save quite a few bucks, the Adams County Board of Supervisors voted Monday to join several other counties in Mississippi to request joint bids for a mapping project.

Tax Assessor Reynolds Atkins and Geographic Information System Manager Peter Dale informed the board that the county’s aerial maps need to be updated. Dale said participating in a group bid with other counties doing the same project could save the county a significant amount of money.

“You can reduce your cost from $110 per square mile to $80 per square mile,” he said.

Additionally, Dale said, if a county participates in the group bid, the Mississippi Department of Transportation will reimburse each county $10,000.

Dale said his best estimate for the county’s cost of the project is $30,000. He said, however, if the supervisors do not find the bids favorable, the county does not have to participate in the project.

Atkins said he believes the county paid approximately $45,000 the last time the maps were updated.

“It is certainly going to be more than that the next time we do it,” he said. “(By group bidding), I think we’ll save half of what we would pay.”

Dale said if the county participates in the project, the map work will be done in January and February of 2013 and be ready to use by late spring or early summer.

In other news from the meeting:

• The board presented a framed proclamation to Edward Songy in appreciation for his assistance in helping the county find an information technology director.

• The board presented certificates of appreciation to Trinity Episcopal Day School students Meredith Lessley, Alex Owens, Harris Pyron and Caitlyn Walker who led the pledge of allegiance at the meeting.

• The board granted permission to Purchasing Clerk Frances Bell to advertise for bids for services including road work and emergency clean-up.

• The board approved a budget amendment request from County Administrator Joe Murray to create a $44,500 budget item for architectural services for the FEMA 361 shelter that will be built near Natchez High School.

The funds are completely reimbursed by FEMA.