NATCHEZ — All city officials taking office July 2 will raise their right hands, place their left on the Bible and take their oaths of office in unison in show of unity, mayor-elect Larry L. “Butch” Brown said.

Brown said the goal of having the officials take their oaths together is to start off the new administration in harmony.

“I think you’ll see evidence of a board and a new administration that is coming together and has pledged to have a better and more harmonious administration,” Brown said.

The ceremony will be at 10 a.m. Monday in the Natchez City Council Chambers, and light refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

Adams County Circuit Court Judge Lillie Blackmon Sanders and Adams County Chancery Court Judge George Ward will be swearing in the officials.

Brown said Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis and Ward 4 Alderman Ernest “Tony” Fields are in the process of finding an area student to perform at the ceremony.

The new aldermen will give brief remarks after the ceremony, and Brown will also give a speech.

“I’ll try to keep mine less than an hour,” Brown joked.

Brown said residents should attend the swearing-in ceremony because it is an important part of government.

“If you haven’t ever attended one, I think this one will be a good representative sampling of a swearing-in ceremony,” he said.