With about a month left remaining on contract, the city council began searching for the replacement of board attorney Sarah O’Reilly-Evans this week.
O’Reilly-Evans resigned from her post as legal advisor to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, with her last meeting to be held on Feb. 27.
Alderman Aubry Brent Jr., who has been vocal in his desire to find a suitable candidate for the post, said the applications are being handled by Mayor Diane Delaware.
“I just don’t want any lawyer,” Brent said. “We need a municipal attorney who has handled municipal responsibilities.”
The city of Yazoo City posted the job requirements of its new board attorney last Wednesday.
“These duties include attending all board meetings and special meetings as required,” reads the job description. “The Attorney will be involved in drafting orders and resolutions. Ordinances shall be written and reviewed to assure they are followed at all times and updated. All contracts terms and agreements of and with the city shall be reviewed to assure terms meet conditions required by city government.”
The city would prefer an attorney with “eight years of extensive experience practicing law, preferably in municipal law and government law, including trial work and legal research.”
Brent said he hopes to have a replacement before O’Reilly-Evans leaves by the end of February.
“I don’t want to sit there on that board and make decisions that could jeopardize our seats,” Brent added. “We need an attorney, and hopefully we will have one before (O-Reilly-Evans) leaves.”
