NATCHEZ — Natchez Inc. is one step closer to ensuring its place in Natchez and Adams County until 2018.

One third of a process to extend the organization’s economic development legislation was approved unanimously Tuesday morning during the Adams County Board of Supervisors meeting.

Natchez Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ brought a joint resolution to the board in order to extend the legislation that was created in 2010 — and is set to expire in 2013 — until 2018.

Both the board of supervisors and the Natchez Board of Aldermen must pass the joint resolution unanimously before it is passed to the state legislature for final approval.

Russ said the joint resolution would allow Natchez Inc. to continue exploring prospects that might require a more long-term commitment.

“We too feel like Natchez and Adams County are a good place for trade and commerce,” Russ said. “From a long-term stability stand point we need some additional time, and it’s just good business for us to have that longevity.”

Russ said the resolution not only helps shareholders and investors see the long term commitment the company has in the area, but also can be vital for financial purposes.

“If we we’re looking for financing of any kind our creditors would also look at our length of funding and support from those entities,” Russ said. “So the extension into 2018 is beneficial both from the financial side and demonstration of unity and strength.”

Supervisors President Darryl Grennell said he agreed with the resolution and was glad to see it pass.

“There’s so much activity going on right now and I think it’s great that the county and the city are making an investment in future economical development in this area,” Grennell said.

In its first year, Natchez Inc. announced that three major industries would be coming to the area, bringing a total of 600 jobs by 2015.

The joint resolution will be brought before the Natchez Board of Aldermen at their next meeting Feb. 28 and Russ said he doesn’t foresee any issues getting it passed.

In other news from the board of supervisors’ meeting:

The board heard proposals from four different health insurance companies, Insurance Management Company, Regions Insurance Inc., Benefit Management Systems and Hazlip Insurance Inc., for health care for county employees.

The county has self-funded insurance, and is scheduled to spend $2.2 million on health care this year, approximately $10,000 per employee.

Approximately 200 employees are on the health care plan, which has a $500 deductible.

Adams County Insurance Clerk Jackie Wild said the county must renew or enroll in a new insurance policy every one or two years, depending on the previous policy.

Wild said a decision must be made by March 13.

With a tall stack of packets and information from the insurance companies at each supervisors’ desk, the board voted to take all the proposals under advisement and meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29 to resolve the matter.

The board adopted a four-year county road plan submitted by the road department.

Grennell said board members are required to ride every public county road in Adams County and contribute information to the road plan.

“What we do when we ride these roads is we put together a list, give that list to the road manager and he puts them on the road plan,” Grennell said. “Those are ones that we feel need overlay, pothole patching or other types of work and he puts that list together and brings it before the board.”

Grennell said new roads can be added or changed at any time by consulting with county Road Manager Robbie Dollar.

The board adopted an amendment change in the cell phone tower ordinance regarding liability insurance.

Grennell said when a cell phone company puts a tower up, the county requires the company to purchase liability insurance on the tower.

The amendment change requires Adams County to be listed as the beneficiary of that liability insurance.

“That way if a road or any county property is damaged, the county will actually receive that money to perform those repairs,” Grennell said.