We’re pleased to see Adams County move forward with the purchase of a new fire truck.

That purchase fulfills a stipulation in the city-county fire protection agreement. The agreement allows the city’s fire department to provide fire protection services to Adams County residents.

Unfortunately, like many things that require the involvement of politicians and bureaucrats, the discussions and negotiations surrounding the purchase of the fire truck were drawn out and unnecessarily complicated.

Nonetheless, county supervisors voted Monday to seek financing to purchase a new fire truck for the city.

Perhaps this agreement, despite the confusion surrounding it, provided an opportunity for city and county officials to take a lesson on how to better communicate and work together.

After all, time and economics will eventually force our city and county leaders to find ways to join forces to provide services for Natchez and Adams County residents.

If political and bureaucratic turf wars could be squelched, city and county taxpayers could save tons of money if our city and county leaders would find a way to cooperate in providing necessary services to residents, rather than taxpayers continuing to fund duplication of services.

Law enforcement services are a prime example of an area where taxpayers would benefit from city and county cooperation.

The City of Natchez operates a police department. However, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office responds to calls in the City of Natchez if a resident calls upon it to do so.

That just doesn’t make much sense and is certainly not an example of efficiency or stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

We urge our city and county officials to seek ways to work together to save taxpayer dollars through by ridding ourselves of duplicated services.