NATCHEZ — Just one day after interviewing potential hospital consultant groups, the Adams County Board of Supervisors met with Natchez Regional Medical Center’s CEO Scott Phillips to talk business.

During the meeting the board passed a three-pronged resolution aimed at expediting the hospital’s recovery process.

The resolution will approve a $3 million interim loan for the hospital, form a committee — comprised of board members — to interview potential consultants and hire Butler Snow law firm as legal counsel for the hospital.

Supervisors said the meeting with Phillips was extremely informative and would ultimately benefit the county.

In the meeting supervisors learned that Phillips, not the supervisors, will be charged with interviewing potential candidates to conduct studies of the hospital.

“That’s my job,” Phillips said.

The news brought relief to the supervisors.

Board President Henry Watts said he was pleased with the news.

“I’m delighted to be out of the nuts and bolts of it,” he said.

Since the hospital began its restructuring period several weeks ago the board has known of its legal obligation to hire a group to conduct a feasibility study to determine if it should be sold, leased or retained by the county.

While Phillips previously said he would find groups to study, evaluate and buy the hospital if necessary, the board began to seek its own candidates on Wednesday.

On Thursday board members and Phillips came to an understanding that Phillips would locate the necessary groups and the board would ultimately be charged with hiring them.

The resolution the board passed on Thursday was the same one they refused on Tuesday when it was presented by hospital board attorney Walter Brown.

Supervisor S.E. “Spanky” Felter said some board members felt Brown’s proposal was presented too forcefully and didn’t give the board any options.

For that reason the board began to interview other groups to possibly conduct a study on Wednesday.

Phillips apologized to the board, and said Brown was only doing as Phillips asked him.

“He was doing my bidding,” he said.

Phillips also apologized for not appearing before the board sooner to answer their questions. Brown said Thursday’s unanimous approval of the resolution was an important step.

“It shows banks and bidders the board is serious,” he said.

The banks Brown referred to could lend the hospital the interim loan it needs.

Once complete, a feasibility study will reveal if the county should keep the hospital, sell or lease. Phillips said it was unlikely any credible consulting group would advise the county to keep the hospital.