NATCHEZ — Since Monday, Natchez Regional Hospital CEO Scott Phillips has been busy reviewing bids from parties interested in purchasing the hospital.

Phillips said since then, he has contacted all the bidders and begun a dialogue with each.

So far, the conversation has mainly been answering questions and clarifying points in the contract, Phillips said.

“It’s going well,” he said. “Everything has been routine.”

However, since Monday, Phillips has had to push back a yet-to-be-scheduled meeting with the hospital board and the supervisors.

Phillips said he had hoped to meet with both boards on Monday to give his recommendation as to which bidder would be most beneficial to the county.

However, with the upcoming holidays and the time it’s taking to discuss the bids with each party, that meeting won’t likely take place until the first week of December, Phillips said.

“It’s a lengthy process,” he said. “And it’s not in anyone’s interest to force the process. Right now I have no reason to believe it won’t come out all right.”

On Monday, Phillips said it was possible some bids had arrived by the day’s deadline but had not been received.

However, on Wednesday, Phillips said no new bids had been received.

Phillips said due to the extremely sensitive nature of the bids, not even the Adams County Board of Supervisors or the hospital’s own board know the identities of the bidders or the amounts that have been bid.