NATCHEZ — On Tuesday morning Natchez’s newest leadership team was sworn in and made ready for duty.

Addressing his constituents for the fist time as mayor Jake Middleton spoke of a bright future for Natchez.

“We’re going to move this city forward,” he said.

Middleton said he and the board have committed themselves to working together for the betterment of Natchez.

“We are going to make sure that projects get completed,” he said of ongoing work in the city and plans on the horizon.

And the work Middleton spoke about goes beyond what the aldermen will do as an independent body.

Middleton said he has already spoken to President of the Adams County Board of Supervisors Henry Watts about ways to consolidate city and county services.

Middleton said he and Watts have already discussed ideas on consolidation of law enforcement and recreation.

Aside from ventures with the county Middleton expressed an extremely positive outlook on the city’s future.

“We’re going to do our best to make sure Natchez prospers,” he said.

And former mayor Phillip West said the new board is in a unique position to help the city.

Of the board’s three newest members, Dan Dillard Tony Fields and Mark Fortenberry, none have any previous political experience.

West said the city’s newest leaders essentially have no bad habits to bring into office.

“They should be able to do good things,” he said.

Fields agreed with West.

“I don’t have any baggage to bring,” he said. “We’re coming in here fresh and we want to do what’s best for the city.”

The first meeting of the new Natchez Board of Aldermen will be July 8.