MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2016 Regular Session

To: County Affairs

By: Representative Baker

House Bill 1435

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 19-9-111, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE NOTICE OF A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' INTENTION TO LEVY A TAX TO SUPPORT AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT SHALL ONLY BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO THE INITIAL LEVY EXCEPT WHEN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS INTENDS TO INCREASE THE LEVY OVER THE AMOUNT SHOWN IN THE INITIAL NOTICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 19-9-111, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     19-9-111. (1)  The board of supervisors of any county authorized to establish or cooperate in the establishment of economic development districts pursuant to Section 19-5-99 may, in its discretion, levy a tax of not more than two (2) mills against the taxable property in the county or the portion thereof comprising an economic development district, to be used to support and maintain such district.  The levy so made shall be in addition to all other levies provided by law.

     (2) (a)  Before any such levy is made, pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the board of supervisors shall signify its intention to make such a levy and publish the same in a newspaper published in * * *said the county for thirty (30) days prior to making * * *said such levy.  * * *In the event If more than twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors of * * *said the economic development district protest in writing to the board of supervisors against the imposition of such tax levy within thirty (30) days from the date such notice is published, then * * *such the proposed tax levy shall not be made unless the same is approved by a special election called for * * *said such purpose.  * * *Said The special election shall be conducted and had as provided by law.

          (b)  The notice provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall only be required prior to the initial levy except when the board of supervisors intends to increase the levy over the amount shown in the initial notice.

     (3)  The governing authorities of any municipality in a county, which has established an economic development district or which is included in an economic development district, may contribute to the support of such economic development district from its general fund.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.