NATCHEZ —The Adams County Board of Supervisors voted to approve their amended budget for 2007-2008 at Wednesday’s meeting.

Amendments for the budget included a pothole-filling machine and financing for padded cells at the Adams County Jail.

Sheriff Ronny Brown said the padded cells will serve to protect inmates from injuring themselves.

They will be primarily used for mentally ill inmates who are being held in the jail.

The pothole-filling machine is a trailer-mounted device that will allow county road crews to quickly and efficiently fill potholes in Adams County.

Adams County Board of Supervisors President Darryl Grennell, said the pothole-filling machine is a great investment for the county.

Director of Civil Defense George Souderes announced to the board that his office was recently awarded a $15,000 grant from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

The grant, Souderes said, was given to enhance the department’s capability.

Souderes told the board he plans to purchase lights for one of the department’s trucks, two televisions for their operations room and a table and chair set that would cost approximately $6,700.

Several board members, including Henry Watts, said this figure seemed a bit high for seating.

Souderes said, during preparations for Katrina, people involved with planning had little or no room to sit.

Souderes said the new table and chairs would accommodate nearly 40 people.

Grennell confirmed that seating was difficult during the hurricane but was unsure if such a rare event could warrant such a large purchase.

The board of supervisors also took time to recognize the heroic actions of Nicholas Smith and Elbert “P.J.” King.

On Oct. 26, King, Smith and a dozen other Natchez High School students were on the bus to school when the driver suffered a heart attack and died.

Smith and King brought the bus under control and radioed for help.

Supervisor Sammy Cauthen said the students’ heroic actions saved numerous lives and prevented further tragedy.

Grennell said the actions of King and Smith will be archived in Adams County records.