Webster County’s proposed budget for next fiscal year reflects a tax increase that is under 1 mill.
The Board of Supervisors will have a public hearing on its proposed budget and lax levy at 9 a.m. Sept. 9 in the boardroom at the Courthouse in Walthall.
Webster County is now operating with a projected total budget revenue of $9.51 million, with $7.4 million (78%) of that amount obtained through ad valorem taxes. For next fiscal year, the proposed budget has total projected revenue of $10.2 million with $7.85 million (77%) to be financed through a total ad valorem tax levy.
The county plans to increase the ad valorem millage rate by 0.62 mills, from 113.54 mills to 114.16 mills, according to the published budget hearing notice. This increase means property owners will pay more in ad valorem taxes on their home automobile tag, utilities, business fixtures and equipment, and rental real equipment.
Chancery Clerk Russ Turner said the value of a general county mill is $68,493 and the value of a school mill is $70,552, representing an increase of around 6%.
The 2022-23 budget was finalized Aug. 22, according to Board President Pat Cummings.
“We felt real good about our budget,” he said in reference to the planned millage increase.
Despite increases in health insurance and double-digit increases in fuel prices, Cummings said, “We ended up pretty good.”
As previously reported, the budget increases will also include expenses such as salary increases for supervisors, county prosecuting attorney, public defender, Justice Court judges and sheriff as provided for by the Legislature. Cummings said all other county employees will also get a salary increase as they do each year. The county also raises the local tax revenue for the Webster County School District based upon its budget request.
A final decision on the proposed budget and tax levy is expected to be made following the budget hearing on Sept. 9.
