BOS Lowers Millage Rate to Ease Increased Property Taxes

Last updated: September 10, 2026

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN)a0a0The Warren County Board of Supervisors voted to drop the millage rate on ad valorem taxes for upcoming fiscal year.

At the public hearing held Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Board proposed a budget that allowed the county to lower the ad valorem taxes to help ease the burden on residents after a drastic increase in assessed values was mandated by the State’s Department of Revenue.

Understanding the Millage Rate Reduction

The related coverage rate was dropped from 119.91 to 117.91 for 2027. A mill is .001 or 1/1,000th of a dollara0 or put another way:a0 A dollar is equal to 100 penniesa0 A mill is equal to 1/10th of a penny.

The move came after several county residents complained about the increase in property taxes.

“We [BOS] heard what was being said. We listened,” said District 1 Supervisor Edward Herring.

Impact on County Budget

Although the millage rate dropped, the county’s budget received a significant increase due to the assessed values.

In 2026 the assessed value for the county was $615,755,214, but increased to $684,541,024 for the 2027 fiscal year. A net increase of $68,785,810.

The county’s projected revenue for 2027 is $54,224,943, an increase of more than $4 million over 2026’s revenue of $50,050,999.

The increased revenue will go toward funding capital improvements to county buildings and facilities, debt payment for the new jail, and equipment purchases for the Road Department.

An additional cost to the county will be the sheriff’s department as the number of employees will nearly double in order to staff the completed new jail.

Another significant increase will be for the county’s obligation to provide a 24/7 ferry service for transportation to Kings Point Island.

However, the county also budgeted to increase pay for all eligible Warren County employees by $1.50 per hour. Additionally, minimum pay per hour increased to $16.50.

The school district receives the largest portion of funding in the county. For every dollar paid in county taxes, 58.27 cents goes to the school district. Hinds Community College receives 4.45 cents, 27.37 cents go toward the general fund, roads receive 7.13 cents, 1.62 cents are allocated to debt service, the library receives 1.16 cents and .25 of a cent goes to the Fire fund.

With the total anticipated revenues equaling a little more than $54 million, the county budgeted expenditures to the same amount; thereby, approving a balanced budget.