NATCHEZ — Despite a contested hearing and rescinded votes by two Natchez aldermen, the chancery court ruled in favor of the city’s request to annex two tracts of county land.

“We’re very pleased with the court’s ruling,” attorney for the city Walter Brown said.

The next step in the process, which began in October with all six aldermen voting in favor of annexation, is to present a submission to the Mississippi attorney general.

The attorney general will determine whether the annexation of 2.12 square miles on U.S. 61 South and .56 square miles near Old Country Club Road, is in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

A group of Natchez residents contested the annexation in March, saying it violated the voting rights act.

Aldermen James “Ricky” Gray and Ernest “Tony” Fields, Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, former Mayor Phillip West and other local residents claimed annexing the land would tilt the voter rolls in the direction of the white population.

If the tracts of land are found to be in violation of the act, then the request will be denied.

Mathis and Gray argued that the land on U.S. 61 South, which is slated for mixed commercial and residential development, would be too pricey for the black population. They also argued that the acreage on the north end of town isn’t a viable development area.

“The court declines to speculate as to what may occur in the future,” the ruling states.

The finding points to the testimony of former Mayor Phillip West, who said “the City of Natchez is essentially patch quilt in nature as to the presence of races within all areas of the city and that it is a trend that is more evident now than in the past.”

Gray also pointed out that six acres of the total 360 acres at the north tract were used as a dumping site for Armstrong Tire Company and may be a health hazard.

Much of the hearing centered on Gray’s concern.

The court ruling references a 1974 study by the United States Health Service that resulted in “a clearance or no findings of any toxic materials,” however.

Brown said the court’s finding will play a large factor in the city’s submission to the attorney general.

He said the attorney general has 60 days to respond once the city’s submission is received.

Mathis, who along with Gray rescinded her vote supporting annexation in March, said she will wait to see what the attorney general’s opinion is.

“That’s all I have to say on that today,” she said.

Alderman Ernest “Tony” Fields, who appeared at the hearing to object and who the court ruling notes never actually testifed, did not rescind his vote.

He said he is pleased with the court’s ruling.

“I’m positive about it,” he said.

Gray could not be reached for comment.

Mayor Jake Middleton said this is a nice step in the right direction.

“It’s the first time we’ve annexed since 1981,” he said. “We needed some room to grow. It’s going to be good for Natchez.”

Aside from the need to expand, Brown said the city was meeting the request of the developers on U.S. 61 South — Glenn Green and Ricky Edgin — who asked to be annexed.

Brown also said water services will be expanded in the north tract of land. “People have septic tanks, and that’s not environmentally friendly,” he said.

No county residents will be annexed.