County tax assessors and collectors called on legislative leaders to take action this season to provide much needed tax relief to Mississippi’s homeowners, particularly those over 65 or disabled.

Legislation that would have provided relief for homeowners over 65 or disabled passed the Mississippi Senate earlier, but died in the Mississippi House of Representatives due to fierce opposition led by the Mississippi Association of Supervisors.

Boards of Supervisors in several of the 20 counties that had reappraisal in 2008 and an update of values passed resolutions in support of raising the homestead limits from a $75 value to $100.

When the new values for residential homeowners increased to more than $75,000, many of those homeowners that were exempt from paying would start being taxed.

Although these counties supported this legislation for relief to homeowners, the Mississippi Association of Supervisors leadership led the fight to kill this legislation.

Adams County is completing reappraisal for 2009 in compliance of a mandate by the Mississippi State Tax Commission.

Reynolds Atkins is the Adams County tax assessor.