NATCHEZ — Natchez Mayor-elect Darryl Grennell has chosen Robert Latham as his preferred candidate for city attorney.

Latham was formerly the board attorney for the Adams County Board of Supervisors and is a member of Truly, Smith and Latham law office on Main Street.

Grennell said he knew Latham from his time as president of the board of supervisors, and chose him because of his experience there.

“He is extremely well-versed in government law,” Grennell said of Latham. “That’s what we need for the city.”

Latham could not be reached for comment.

Grennell said he would ask the Natchez Board of Aldermen to appoint Latham in a specially called meeting immediately following the swearing-in ceremony at which Grennell will be inaugurated.

Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Carter Smith said she plans to support the appointment of Latham.

“With his experience in local government, he is an excellent candidate,” she said.

Ward 4 Alderwoman-elect Felicia Irving said she has discussed the choice with Grennell.

Irving said she plans to support Latham’s appointment.

“He’s very knowledgeable about government law and he’s there to guide us in the way that we should do things from a legal perspective,” she said.

Ward 5 Alderman-elect Benjamin Davis said he also plans to vote to appoint Latham.

“I feel pretty good about that,” Davis said. “I think he’s a good attorney. I think he’ll do well.”

Ward 6 Alderman Dan Dillard said he would need more time to consider Latham as a candidate before making a decision.

“I don’t know him in a professional way yet,” Dillard said. “But the city’s got some issues that it’s got to deal with. We need an attorney that is looking at his position as the attorney for the City of Natchez and not just the mayor’s attorney.”

Dillard said he does not want to rush into a decision on the appointment.

“I haven’t thought about (Latham) enough yet to have concerns,” he said.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis and Ward 2 Alderman Billy Joe Frazier could not be reached for comment.

Grennell said he would also ask the board to appoint Assistant City Clerk Wendy McClain as city clerk after the ceremony.

The ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. July 1 in front of Natchez City Hall on Pearl Street.

City Attorney Hyde Carby announced in April he would not seek reappointment, saying he would focus on his private law practice.

The board of aldermen accepted Carby’s resignation at its June 14 meeting.