NATCHEZ — Four vacancies on various local commissions have risen to the top of Mayor Jake Middleton’s agenda.

The Civil Service Commission, responsible for hiring fire and police officials, has been without one board member since George Robinson died in May.

The resignation of James West in May left the Natchez-Adams Economic Development Authority without one board member.

Finally, the Natchez Preservation Commission needs two commissioners as a result of Fred Middleton’s resignation in February and Sara Garcia’s out-of-town move.

“I have a file folder full of applications,” Middleton said of the preservation commission vacancies.

“We’ve had a lot of other things going on, and it’s been put on the backburner. It hasn’t been put back there because it’s not important. It is important.”

Middleton said he will distribute copies of preservation commission resumes to the Natchez Board of Aldermen prior to their regular meeting Tuesday.

The preservation commission does not require interviews, but Middleton said he prefers candidates with a historical preservation background.

“I’ve got the people who want to serve on the preservation commission. Now it’s a matter of us discussing it and moving forward to get it done,” Middleton said.

Middleton said he hopes to make appointments to the preservation commission in the next two weeks.

Interviews have been completed for the Civil Service Commission opening, and Middleton and the aldermen will likely discuss an appointment Tuesday, Middleton said.

As for the EDA, Middleton said he has been hesitant to make an appointment due to efforts to restructure the authority.

“We’re in the process of having the EDA looked at again,” Middleton said. “But no matter what happens, I guess we can go ahead and make that appointment.”