Butch McEwen told Adams County supervisors Thursday night he thinks residents don’t need higher tax bills.

&uot;I understand that we have to pay taxes, but I also understand that this community is in dire straits,&uot; McEwen said at the first public hearing on the county’s budget. &uot;I think we’ve had enough tax increases. I would really like to see y’all take this (budget) back and work on it. … I really think it could be done (without a tax increase.&uot;

McEwen’s simple request came near the end of a meeting in which supervisors were faced with more complex questions from the packed, standing room only crowd in the supervisors meeting room at the old county jail.

Issues raised ranged from tax assessments on antebellum houses to economic development benefits for the black community.

Supervisors asked county officials and other community leaders to help answer some of the questions raised about the budget and about taxes.

The county has proposed a 1.95-mill increase in ad valorem taxes, intended to raise about $426,552 that will help pay for cost-of-living raises for county employees and payments on and operation of the juvenile justice center. Ad valorem taxes include taxes on residences, businesses, and car tags and utilities. Supervisors will vote on the increase Tuesday at 9 a.m.

&uot;We have quite a few employees that aren’t making any money,&uot; said County Administrator Charlie Brown. &uot;They make a little more than minimum wage, and they work hard.&uot;

The tax increase will add about $19.50 to the tax bill of a homeowner whose house is assessed at $100,000. It will add about $29.25 to the tax bill of a business assessed at $100,000.

By shifting some of the millage allocated to different funds within the county’s $24 million budget, Brown said, supervisors were able to reduce the originally proposed tax increase.

Roy Strickland and Jimmy Dunn, both retirees, told supervisors the higher taxes can place a burden on them and other county residents.

&uot;I’m on a fixed income,&uot; Dunn said. &uot;It’s going to be harder to pay taxes.&uot;

&uot;I would like to remind the board that when they look at a 2-mill increase … $19 may not be too hard (for taxpayers) to pay, but coming up with the other $500 might be a problem,&uot; Strickland said. &uot;Y’all aren’t the only people trying to raise taxes.&uot;

The city voted this week to raise taxes by 4.119 mills.

Beyond specific questions about the tax increase, many residents had questions about where their tax dollars are going.

County resident Ser Seshshab Heter-C.M. Boxley gave supervisors copies of &uot;reciprocity dollars&uot; and asked them to use their influence on the EDA budget to give back to the black community.

&uot;The EDA, from my observation, does not have the thinking or capacity&uot; to provide small business development for the black community, Boxley said.

The Natchez-Adams County Economic Development Authority is funded by the city and county, but the county has historically provided more money. In the past year, the county gave $175,000, while the city budgeted $50,000.

County resident Robert McGee asked similar questions about the EDA. &uot;We want inclusion for all the people,&uot; he said.

EDA Chairman Wally Kirk spoke about the grants and industries the authority has secured — including Stewart Orchids and a grant to help pay for infrastructure at the Foster Mound industrial Park.

Mary Jane Gaudet, director of the Adams County First Families Resource Center, spoke about the grants she has secured for family outreach programs. Gaudet said those grants have most directly benefitted black students, who have been much more likely participate in the tutoring and training programs.

The tax increase was not the only tax question on the table. County resident Gene Simonton, who owns a business in the city, asked supervisors why owners of antebellum houses don’t pay more on their tax bills. The issue is one Simonton has also raised with city aldermen, who voted this week to raise ad valorem taxes by 4.119 mills.

County Tax Assessor Reynolds Atkins told Simonton all property in the county — including antebellum mansions — is assessed using the same system. &uot;There is not special rate, no special millage&uot; for antebellum houses, Atkins said. &uot;They’re assessed at the same rate as every other house.&uot;

Atkins pointed out that houses are sometimes sold at a different value than that at which they are assessed.

Houses are taxed at 10 percent of their assessed value, and businesses at 15 percent of their assessed value.

Some residents at the meeting asked about county employees using county vehicles after hours, adding cutting down on such a practice would save money. Supervisors President Virginia Salmon said employees do not use their vehicles after hours unless they will be on call during the night.