Madison County Taxpayers Upset Over Double Increase

• Video: Madison's Tax Backlash

POSTED: 11:40 pm CDT September 4, 2008
Madison County Taxpayers Upset Over Double Increase

MADISON COUNTY, Miss. -- Madison County taxpayers are angry about a property tax hike double than anticipated, 16 WAPT reported.

The county's Board of Supervisors approved a 6.3 mil increase this week, which prompted a strong response to Feedback 16.

From the Internet to the radio, taxpayers want to know why their taxes jumped by the largest amount in the county's history, 16 WAPT's Joseph Pleasant said.

"I would personally like to see Tim Johnson, Karl Banks and Paul Griffin resign," said Frank Halford, a taxpayer, referencing the members of the Board of Supervisors who voted in favor of the mil increase.

The board heard public comment on a 3.3 mil increase before closing public comment and voting on a 6.3 mil increase.

"It's a classic case of bait and switch," Halford said.

Madison County taxpayers are angry at the Board of Supervisors and Board President Tim Johnson, in particular.

A radio ad tells listeners, "Tim Johnson raised your taxes. He had some help -- yeah -- but he was the ring leader."

Johnson, who spoke with 16 WAPT from Birmingham, said the mil tax increase will go exclusively to road projects in the county.

"I truly believe, as we build the infrastructure Madison County needs, that's going to encourage economic and commercial development," he said.

District 3 Supervisor D.I Smith said about 50 taxpayers have called and posted to his Web site DISmith.com. Smith said infrastructure is a top priority -- especially at the Gluckstadt Interstate 55 interchange -- but he voted against the tax increase.

"We ought to do it the way we did it in the past: A partnership," he said.

Smith points to the Highland Colony Parkway, where developers, cities and the counties funded the road without a tax increase.

"For families now, it's probably the worst time for us to have this type of tax increase," Smith said.

On a $200,000 home, the increase amounts to about $126. The increase will be even more for people annexed into the city of Madison this year. Smith said those residents will be paying about 28 mils in city taxes for the first time.

WAPT left messages for supervisors John Bell Crosby, Griffin and Banks, but they did not return the station's calls.

Madison County Real Property Tax Calculator

During the last few weeks I've been asked numerous times about taxes, impact of City of Madison Annexation, and impact of Madison County tax millage levy increases. So, to help individuals analyze the various complex tax questions I developed an Excel spreadsheet program which is pretty handy in helping to answer your questions .... click here to down load the Madison County Real Property Tax Calculator file.

I hope this is useful to you. If you have suggested improvements please call or email. Please click below to post comments! Thanks!

Supervisors OK 6.33-mill tax hike

Tuesday, Sept 2, 2008, a PUBLIC HEARING was conducted to review the upcoming 2008-2009 budget and associated tax levy. A public notice had been previously published announcing the budget hearing and proposed 3.33 mil tax levy.

Then on Tuesday after the PUBLIC HEARING closed, the County Administrator informed the Board of "New Growth and Requirements." It is anticipated that another $5oM bond issue will be needed to cover the costs of the projects. So, another 3 mils was added to the already proposed 3.33 mil levy totaling 6.33 mils. There was outrage expressed by many in attendance that such a "Bait and Switch" scheme would be used and many expressed concern as to whether the tax increase was legal with out proper PUBLIC NOTICE.

Supervisors Tim Johnson, Karl Banks and Paul Griffin voted for the increased taxes; and John Bell Crosby and D.I. Smith voted against the increase.

Several residents stated they would oppose future bond issues by signing a petition requesting a referendum on the proposed $50 bond issue. If 1,500 residents sign a petition, the proposed bond issue will have to be approved by voters through a referendum.

On a $100,000 house, the annual tax increase will be $63.30; on a $200,000 house, $126.60. On a $300,000 house, it will be $189.90 annually and $253.20 on a $400,000 house.