NATCHEZ — The quest for a regional rail authority made a stop at the Adams County Board of Supervisors meeting Monday, and the board members quickly expressed they were all aboard.

Natchez, Inc. Director Chandler Russ met with the board to seek permission to form a regional rail authority, instead of having the port authority in control of the rails.

Russ met with the port authority in Adams County last Tuesday and was granted approval by them to move along with the proceedings.

“Under current law, rail authority has procedures you must go through,” he said. “Part of that gives the port authority full control of the rail.”

The rail line covers three counties and runs from Brookhaven to the port in Natchez.

“We are hoping to avoid an abandonment procedure on the rail,” he said.

Board President Darryl Grennell said the 66-mile stretch of railway is very valuable to the county, and keeping it running is in the best interest of the board.

Adams County Port Director Anthony Hauer said the formation of the rail authority would be a great help in looking for funds to keep the railway open.

“Realistically it will have to be a collaborative effort between many groups to help pay for this,” he said. “We need to get as many revenues as possible to cover the rail.”

Supervisor Henry Watts said asking the state and federal levels for support is going to have to happen.

“They are going to be the ones who generate the funds to keep the railway open,” he said.

Watts also said he is unsure if Franklin and Lincoln counties would help support the rails monetarily.

Board member S.E. “Spanky” Felter said since 2004, Adams County has spent a large sum of money on the rails, and that the board needs to make sure the rails are not going to be abandoned, before any more money is spent.

“We spent a lot of money for nothing if that is the case,” he said.

Hauer said the money spent on the rails in the county went only to funding in the county.

“If the worst comes to fruition, the rail we have invested in remains with us,” he said. “Just because the rail is gone in other counties, the (Mississippi River) is still there, and we will still have an active rail line at our port.”

Watts wanted to make sure everyone knew the board was in full support of the railway.

“The most valuable part of the railroad is the last two miles in Natchez,” he said. “We have more interest than any other entity involved.”

Board member Mike Lazarus said there have been talks with a private party who may possibly be interested in working with the rail.

“(The private party) drove all the way here from Arkansas, and he said he can make a profit with a short line rail,” Lazarus said.

In other news:

The board viewed two bids for four new sheriff vehicles in the county.

Watson Quality Ford of Jackson placed a bid of $99,600 total, or $24,900 per vehicle.

The second bid came from Champion Chrysler of Gulfport for $96,220, or $24,055 per vehicle.

The board voted and took the recommendation of the purchasing clerk for Champion Chrysler.

The vote passed 4-0, with Watts abstaining.

Sheriff Chuck Mayfield also said the ACSO is very close to signing a new food service contract with Valley Food Services.

“We are going to have the same kitchen staff, but Valley will actually take over their salaries,” he said. “They will also assume any liability in case anything goes wrong.”

Mayfield said the switch will save the ACSO approximately $53,000 annually.