NATCHEZ — The Adams County Board of Supervisors approved a $100,000 engineering contract Monday for the proposed Belwood levee near the Natchez-Adams County Port.

In October the Delta Regional Authority announced approximately $2.3 million in funding for phase one construction of the Belwood levee for industrial development. The ring levee — similar to the one protecting other industrial sites at the port — would be designed to protect 110 acres of flood-prone land at the old Belwood Country Club site.

The supervisors will pay the $100,000 in installments to Natchez civil engineering firm Jordan, Kaiser and Sessions to redo the engineering design of the property.

Firm engineer Doug Wimberly said in the initial planning of the Belwood project, Kior was involved, and had agreed to do the dirt work in the interior of the ring to drain water off the site.

However, that company backed out of its Adams County project and the county will have to use grant money to provide the dirt work, Wimberly said. He said the width of the levee would have to be reduced to no less than 20 feet, which would free up some dirt for the interior of the structure.

Wimberly said the original design included a width of 30 feet, which would allow a road to be potentially built on top of the levee.

Board President Mike Lazarus said with a 20-foot top a road could still potentially be installed.

Supervisor Ricky Gray said he has heard from representatives of local construction-related businesses concerned they would not have a chance to bid on this project involving federal money.

“If there is pie in Adams County, I want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to get a piece of the pie,” Gray said.

Board Attorney Scott Slover said like any project of this scope, the construction contract would be bid out, and the county would accept the best contract with the lowest price.

Lazarus said he anticipated this project would receive a number of bids.

“The biggest factor will be available dirt,” Lazarus said. “Whoever has the closest dirt will be the winner in this.”

Wimberly said he anticipated the project would be ready to seek bids by February, which would give contractors time to break ground in late spring or early summer.

In other news, the county lifted its burn ban Monday. The ban was first put into effect Oct. 10.

4Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant lifted a partial burn ban for most counties in Mississippi, including Adams County.

With the New Year approaching, Adams County Emergency Management Fire Coordinator Darryl Smith still urged people to be cautious.

“With the holidays coming up, I just want to make sure everyone is safe with fireworks,” Smith said.

4The Adams County Tax Assessor’s Office had two adjustments, both on Sedgefield Road. One property’s assessment was decreased by $9,639 and another was increased by $6,586.

“That’s a net loss of $3,000 on that deal,” Lazarus said.

4 Blain Companies was awarded the road department’s asphalt contract at a price of $70 per ton. Lazarus said this contract is for everyday type work the road department does.