Published: March 18, 2009 09:49 am      

Routt, Hodges agree to meet with MS Tax Commission

Local optometrist, Dr. Larry Routt, said he had never complained about his property taxes before but with a $6,000 increase in his 2008 taxes, he had to voice his opinion to the Attala County Board of Supervisors and Tax Collector/Assessor Kempe Hodges at the Monday morning meeting.

Routt, who owns several rental properties, said he has always believed in investing in the community and that the community has profited through construction work and through the start of new business.

He said that there were textbook formulas that give a fair appraisal value to rental properties.

You can’t increase rent on small businesses in this economy, Routt said.

“We have to do what the State Tax Commission tells us to,” Hodges said of how Attala County‘s properties are appraised.

Both Routt and Hodges agreed to talk with the STC about the need for a fair appraisal value.



McCool Fire Station

Attala County Emergency Management Directory Danny Townsend said the McCool Fire Department is in the process of expanding their firehouse.

This would require the county acquiring two tracts of land.

Townsend said one tract there are no stipulations but the second tract does.

He explained that if at anytime the fire department would no longer use the property, it was to be given back to the original land owners. The owners of the property also want mineral rights.

Board attorney Scott Pickle said they would have to word the document accordingly.



Controlled burns

Townsend said it’s very important for those wanting to do controlled burns to call the Central Fire Station and let them know.

Before the rain, Townsend said controlled burns were being called in as woods fires.



The board approved the following:

– School bus turnaround for Eula Jones

–Travel for the election commissioners to Hinds Community College on March 24.

– Lease for 2009 for a copy machine in Justice Court for $691.47.

– Purchase a 1/2 page ad in the Supervisors Magazine’s convention issue.

–Authorize Womble to sign closing documents for the rural impact fundsgrant. The funds have already been spent.

–Advertise for the cutting of grounds at the Jack Post building.

–For Districts 1 and 2 to post a notice to sell used equipment.

–Purchase copy machine for the purchasing department.

–Remove a typewriter from the chancery clerk’s office to the coroner for use.

–Resolution for grant from the Delta Regional Authority.