NATCHEZ — A partnership created seven months ago between the Town of Vidalia and Natchez Inc. leaves Mayor Buz Craft concerned about the job responsibilities of its economic development director.

Craft said that while he fully supports efforts to create a regional economic development strategy for Natchez, Vidalia and Adams County, questions exist about the duties of Concordia Parish Economic and Industrial Development District (CPEIDD) Director Heather Malone. Former mayor Hyram Copeland entered into an agreement in February to contribute $100,000 to Natchez, Inc., the economic development agency for Natchez and Adams County.

As part of the agreement, the town would offer the services of Heather Malone, who works as both the director of CPEIDD and the economic development director for Vidalia. In return for her services, $68,000 of Vidalia’s contribution would be offered in in-kind services — covering Malone’s salary and benefits. The remaining $32,000 would be paid annually in monthly installments.

Although Malone will be working under the direction of Natchez Inc., she remains a Vidalia employee for the purposes of benefits and retirement paid for by the town. As part of the agreement the Town of Vidalia agrees not to fire Malone for the first year of the contract without Natchez, Inc.’s written consent.

Craft said one of his concerns with the agreement is how it may conflict with Malone’s other duties.

“Heather also works for the Concordia Parish Economic Development District,” Craft said.

Craft said Copeland agreed with CPEIDD to pay 75 percent of Malone’s salary. In turn, Malone is to devote 75 percent of her time on Vidalia economic development matters and 25 percent on Concordia Parish ones, Craft said.

The two agreements are in conflict with each other, Craft said.

“This is an issue I want to resolve between Natchez Inc., Concordia Economic Development and the Town of Vidalia,” Craft said. “I am in support of regionalism and economic development. We just need a clear definition of (Malone’s) job responsibilities and job description.”

Malone said she doesn’t see the two agreements as conflicting.

Malone said as the CPEIDD director, she continues to assist the Concordia Parish Police Jury on various economic development projects, including work on recent efforts to improve drainage in the parish.

“I still have an office in Concordia Parish and try to spend time there,” Malone said.

Malone has dedicated Friday as the day of the week she tries to spend in her office in the Vidalia Convention Center.

Malone said the remainder of her time is contracted out to Natchez Inc. to provide economic development services to Vidalia.

The partnership is invaluable to the town, Malone said. Instead of just one person — herself — working to attract new business and industry to Vidalia, the partnership offers additional resources and personnel.

“I still work for Vidalia, but now the city has access to the expertise of (Natchez Inc. Director) Chandler Russ, Aimee Guido and Ruth Nichols,” Malone said. “The value the town is getting back is four-fold in both personnel and resources.”

Malone said Vidalia taxpayers stand to gain much more by partnering with Natchez, Inc. than trying to do it alone.

“Resources are too few to try to do it on our own,” Malone said. “For Vidalia to be in the game, we don’t have to have a big budget for economic development (with this agreement).”

Craft said the partnership might soon prove to be productive for the area.

“I hope we have some good news on the horizon that people will be excited about,” Craft said.

Even still, Craft said he wants to sit down in the next six months to clearly define Malone’s job responsibilities and define how her compensation is handled.

“I am not dissatisfied by the work (Malone and Natchez Inc.) are doing,” Craft said. “We still need to resolve the issues, just like we would any job responsibilities of any city employee.”