NATCHEZ — Adams County has begun the process of changing one of its laws in order to keep up with the pace of technology.

The county board of supervisors is working to modify its current cellular tower ordinance to accommodate changes in the wireless communications market in the past few years.

The proposed changes come at the recommendation of County Tower Consultant Spencer Stutzman, who said this week AT&T had filed a permit application to install equipment in Adams County that isn’t covered by existing law.

The equipment, antennae amplifiers and radio equipment, would be placed on a tower on Liberty Road to act as range extenders for existing service, and would improve 4G service to Natchez and the eastern part of Adams County, Stutzman said.

“The cellular market is advancing, and most of the towers that are present now have six antennas on them,” he said. “These devices are starting to be added or requested in order to boost the range or coverage, because they have about maxed out what you can place on the tower as an antenna. These amplifiers and radios will cover the area better.”

The supervisors approved the application brought before them, but, at Stutzman’s request, also voted to move forward with adding the specific equipment into the county’s fee schedules moving forward. The change would include a $250 permit application fee for the new equipment.

Before the ordinance is officially changed, the board will have to schedule a public hearing during which residents and other stakeholders can voice their thoughts.

The ordinance changes can be adopted after the public hearing.