NATCHEZ, Miss. – Adams County supervisors pledged Monday to cut property taxes next year but urged taxpayers to try now to reduce the steep amounts they owe this year if they believe their properties are being overvalued by the county tax assessor.
Meeting in their boardroom crowded with disgruntled Adams County taxpayers, the supervisors said they didn’t foresee the full tax impact of the county budget they adopted last September for the fiscal year that began in October. They insisted last year’s tax and budget process was marred by “miscommunications” between them and Tax Assessor Larry Hughes about the increased value of Adams County properties that prompted the higher taxes.
“I apologize for not having this better controlled,” said county Supervisor Kevin Wilson, who was president of the Board of Supervisors when it approved the annual budget for the county’s $43 million spending plan, which contains about $20 million in property tax revenues.
Supervisors, he said, should’ve reduced the county’s property tax millage rate, which is the basis of calculating taxes tied to individual properties’ assessed value.
Speaking up from a standing-room-only crowd Monday, a dozen Adams County taxpayers peppered the five supervisors with questions and outrage expressed about property taxes going up by 25 percent or more. They included real-estate agent Tabitha Wroten, who said higher taxes “will put people further in hardship,” and Dunleith owner Mike Blattner, who noted the property tax increase for the already financially stressed venue makes it “unsustainable” as a business for events, lodging and dining.
Supervisors said they can’t reduce the county’s overall tax millage rate this year, but they all indicated Monday they would cut it next year when they hammer out the 2027 budget for funding county government’s operations.
They did encourage property owners to try getting taxes owed now lowered by appealing to the county tax assessor. If Hughes agrees a particular parcel was overvalued, he can recommend the Board of Supervisors reduce the taxes owed. The tax assessor’s office telephone number at the Adams County Courthouse is 601 442-6732.
The deadline to pay property taxes normally due Feb. 1 has been extended to March 3 because of last week’s ice storm. However, any challenge can still be pursued thereafter to get individual tax bills reduced, said board attorney Scott Slover.
The tax bills landholders received last month caused sticker shock for many in Natchez-Adams County. The money is the combined total of taxes owed to Natchez, Adams County and the Natchez-Adams School District.
A state-mandated reassessment process has resulted in property values rising due to inflation and other contributing factors.
The county board meeting Monday provided property taxpayers a chance to publicly voice their grievances – some angrily – but the most contentious words were exchanged between county supervisors. Board President Angela Hutchins said she’s concerned about “board members fighting against each other and bad-mouthing the community.”
Wilson – a congressional candidate – complained Monday about a trip the board recently approved for supervisors to visit Hawaii for a National Association of Counties conference in May. This prompted howls from already irked taxpayers attending the meeting that Sheriff Travis Patten stood up to quell.
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