NATCHEZ — The Natchez-Adams School Board Tuesday approved deeding a portion of its property across from the Community Safe Room to the city and county for the purposes of building a pool.

The Adams County Board of Supervisors and the Natchez Board of Aldermen in January requested the property off Liberty Road be deeded to the entities for construction of a community pool.

The school board tabled the decision in January and requested specifics on the property in question. In response, the county and city split the $600 cost to hire local engineering firm Jordan, Kaiser and Sessions to perform a survey of the 2.53-acre property.

Before voting, school board member Phillip West cited concerns about inserting a reverting clause to protect the board.

West said if for whatever reason the pool is never developed, or if somewhere down the road the property ceases to be used as a pool, he wanted the property to revert to the school system, so a future board would have the option to retain the property for educational purposes.

School Board Attorney Bruce Kuehnle said by statute, a reverter clause is already a part of the resolution. In the event the property ceases to be used as a pool, it would revert back to the school board, Kuehnle said.

West said while he thinks the county and city leaders intend to fast track the pool, he was also concerned construction delays could occur. He said the board should consider a one-year time limit on the deed so the school could retain the property if no progress is made.

Kuehnle said he thinks the board is covered in that scenario and that new language did not need to be added.

“I would not want to put a time limit that constrains us,” Kuehnle said. “I think you are in good shape.”

The purpose of the deed would allow the county and the city to seek and accept bids for construction.

Previously, per an interlocal agreement, the Natchez-Adams County Recreation Commission had authority to handle awarding contracts.

However, citing delays and legal concerns, the county and city voted to have a direct role in financing the pool project. The recreation commission would still manage the completed site, city officials have said.