NATCHEZ — Adams County supervisors got an earful Monday at a public hearing, but the subject wasn’t over one of the usual suspects.

The debate didn’t involve the bankrupt hospital, recreation or even fire protection. County wide building codes sparked the ire of some residents and the support of others.

The board hosted a public hearing Monday to get feedback from residents after the state Legislature mandated counties enact a nationwide building code standard or opt out of enacting building codes entirely. The law takes effect next month and requires counties make a decision 120 days after Aug. 1.

The codes are versions of the International Building Code, which would require — among other things— residents to have certified electricians and plumbers work on new structures. The code also requires that new structures be able to withstand hurricane-force wind.

County Attorney Scott Slover told the residents and board members that the process of implementing and overseeing the codes — if the county were to enact them — would be an extensive one, which is why the board felt public comments were needed.

Kent Allgood, who owns and operates Allgood Builders and Properties, said he felt the building codes would put a burden on him and everyone else that does business or lives in the county.

“Adams County has been around for 200 years, and we’ve never had building codes in the county before and it seems to have worked fine for all this time,” Allgood said. “If you look at some of these businesses moving past Washington and (U.S.) 61 South, a lot of them went out there because of the rules and regulations inside the city limits.”

The City of Natchez already has building codes in place, but unincorporated areas of Adams County do not.

Allgood said the codes in the city require certain work be done through licensed professionals versus the county where he is able to hire people he knows can do the job, but might not be licensed.

“That puts a burden on me,” Allgood said.

Natchez architect and Adams County property owner Amelia Salmon spoke in support of countywide building codes saying those requirements help keep the public safe.

“It is incumbent upon us to build buildings that are safe for the public,” Salmon said. “The training of persons — from an architect to engineers to electricians and plumbers — is an important safeguard to ensure work is done in an appropriate way.

“You and I might build a building using persons we trust who may not have qualifications that are required, but that is no insurance our neighbors would do the same.”

County resident Carolyn Saucier said the codes would be an issue for some residents who are unable to afford licensed workers.

“You might have a young family who live on a small amount of money that can’t always afford to have a licensed plumber to fix what they can fix,” Saucier said. “This is ridiculous — that’s why people live in the county. They don’t want to live in the city because of all the rules.”

After another county resident asked if the board wanted to implement the codes to make money from the fees that would be charged, Board President Darryl Grennell clarified that the mandate came from the state level.

“This is something that the state Legislature adopted, and they’re actually giving counties the option to adopt or not adopt,” Grennell said. “We are not mandated to do it. The board is just listening to the public.”

Supervisor David Carter said he felt as if the codes would be in place to ensure the safety of county residents and also commented on how many people were concerned with what the board was going to decide.

“I’ve received more calls about this than the hospital,” Carter said. “It relates to people personally.”

Salmon offered an analogy to help illustrate the importance of the codes.

“You have standards for roads in this county in order that they are safe, and you would not accept a road for the county until it’s met,” Salmon said. “You should require all buildings meet those codes to protect the public.”

Grennell said the board would take into account all the public comments made Monday and make a decision in the coming weeks.