NATCHEZ — Adams County has asked the City of Natchez to pick out a fire truck.

County Purchasing Clerk Frances Bell said Thursday she has asked Fire Chief Oliver Stewart which of three fire truck models he prefers, and is waiting for an answer.

The county agreed to purchase the fire truck as part of the 10-year fire protection agreement with the City of Natchez.

Three of the 10 companies on the state contract list have submitted prices for review based on the specifications provided to them, ranging from $363,000 to $398,000, Bell said.

A fourth company had indicated it would send in a price sheet but never did, she said.

But whether the trucks submitted for consideration meet all of the city’s desired criteria may be in question.

Stewart said he thinks the specifications turned in to the companies might not be correct, or at least not complete.

“When you’re talking about the specifications, you’re talking about a 41-page document,” Stewart said. “These trucks have to pass the test at the state fire academy, and all the stuff we have got in that list we are required to have to maintain our fire rating.”

Bell said the specifications she gave the company was a one-page sheet with the fire chief’s letterhead on it.

“I went to the chief to get him to give me a list of items he wanted the truck to have,” she said. “I forwarded that list to four of the companies that are listed on state contract, and all of the trucks had the basic things that he requested to have.

“I honestly believe that with me getting this list from Chief Stewart, I was telling him he did give me a list.”

Stewart said he believed any misunderstanding about the specifications was unintentional.

Bell said she had asked for the short list to allow for the widest range of vendors to submit prices for the truck.

“It asked for a certain type of engine, so I asked if it had to be (that type of engine) or if it could be an equivalent, if (the companies) could take it and make their own,” Bell said.

“I wanted to make sure the list was generic enough so it wouldn’t specify anybody out but specific enough to where it got what they needed. Now, I’m just waiting to hear back from the chief.”

Supervisors Vice President Mike Lazarus said when the city receives the new truck, it will give one of its older models to the county for use in response to calls outside the city limits.