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Adams County supervisors heard several concerns Monday from local property owners objecting to recent increases in their property value assessments for tax purposes. The objections came as the county moves through a mandated reassessment process that has seen property values rise due to inflation and other contributing factors.

While reassessed values have gone up, officials noted it is still too early to determine how much landowners will owe in property taxes. Final tax bills are expected to be issued later this year.

In Mississippi, property tax values are calculated based on several factors, including how the property is used, its construction, and its current market value. The Mississippi Department of Revenue requires counties to reassess property values every four years to reflect changes in the market and ensure tax equity.

Two years after Adams County received a $500,000 allocation from the state to repair the frequently flooded Carthage Point Road, progress has been hampered by a series of complications. County officials continue to face delays tied to environmental and bureaucratic hurdles, but remain committed to seeing the project through.

Adams County Supervisor Wes Middleton met Monday with concerned citizens regarding the continued closure of the road. “I’m going to fight to the end to make sure these people get access to their property,” Middleton said, acknowledging frustrations over the ongoing delays.

Board of Supervisors President Kevin Wilson echoed the urgency to resolve the matter. “We’re going to get to it as fast as we can. I’m sorry it’s taken so long,” Wilson said. In the meantime, county crews are hauling in dirt in an effort to address erosion and make the road passable again.

The project has faced multiple challenges. The Mississippi River’s persistently high water levels have limited access and workability. Further complicating efforts are questions surrounding how the $500,000 can legally be spent. Carthage Point Road, which runs past the old International Paper mill and parallels the Mississippi River, is highly susceptible to flooding and erosion. Though there are no homes on the road, it provides access to oil wells and hunting camps.

Among the affected landowners is State Representative Robert Johnson of Natchez, whose family has held property on Carthage Point for approximately 35 years. Johnson joined Monday’s meeting with the Board of Supervisors, raising concerns about prolonged inaccessibility to private land.

The $500,000 grant was included in a broader $372 million infrastructure package passed by the Mississippi Legislature in 2023. Funding came from the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal initiative enacted in 2021 to aid states in recovering from the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johnson pointed to confusion at the state auditor’s office over how the funds may be used, including questions about whether formal contractor bids are required before work can proceed. These uncertainties continue to delay the much-needed repairs.

Local leaders reaffirmed their intent to push forward, despite the setbacks, to ensure landowners regain access to the flood-prone route.

NATCHEZ, Miss. – City aldermen have adjudicated 26 parcels of blighted private properties for workers to clean up if owners continue refusing to do so.  

The Natchez officials authorized the work needed to clear out overgrown yards or demolish dilapidated structures that have been formally deemed “a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community.”

Owners of these nuisance properties have failed to follow warnings by city officials to take corrective measures.

Efforts will be made to force landowners to reimburse the city for the cleanup expenses, but that’s frequently futile. 

“Now we’re stuck with taking care of 26 properties,” said city Alderman Sarah Carter Smith. “So this is not a good thing. It’s a terrible thing. When people don’t keep up with their property, all taxpayers pay for it unless we get reimbursed – and oftentimes we don’t. So it’s very, very frustrating for people that do take care of their homes.”

The list of nuisance properties presented Tuesday to the Board of Aldermen to judge are on various streets – mostly in north Natchez — that include Beaumont, Brenham, South Concord, East Woodlawn, Metcalfe, North Rankin and Purnell.

While the city will take the necessary remediation measures for these deteriorated structures and overgrown land, there are nearly 200 previously blighted properties that city officials have gotten owners to make right, said Mayor Dan Gibson.

As of Tuesday, there are “close to 200 you have worked with without have to adjudicate, and that is good progress,” Gibson told Natchez Police Commander Lee Best, who enforces city laws against blighted properties. 

The iconic Rotary Club water fountain at Natchez’s bluff park is no longer functional due to severe leakage and structural damage.
Installed in 1969 to mark the Rotary Club’s 50th anniversary, the fountain is set to be replaced. A proposal is under review to repurpose the site as a decorative flower bed featuring a smaller, modern water feature.

Neifa Hardy, the familiar voice behind city weather alerts and community updates, is stepping down as Natchez’s community liaison. She’s leaving to teach psychology at Alcorn State University.
Taking her place is Natchez native Vel Robinson, who returns home following a career in the nuclear energy industry. Mayor Dan Gibson praised Hardy for her calm, clear communication during emergencies and transitions.

Demolition of the historic Fry building in downtown Natchez is expected to begin by March 2026, paving the way for the revitalization of the adjacent Eola Hotel.
Although the 1950s-era building is considered architecturally significant by state preservation officials, the Mississippi Department of Archives & History has approved its removal — provided full documentation is completed beforehand.
The city has hired Waycaster Architects to lead that effort, with more than $1 million in federal cleanup and redevelopment funds supporting the transformation of the site into a parking lot.

Natchez residents may soon see smoother garbage pickup service. Meridian Waste, the city’s contracted waste collector, has deployed new garbage trucks to address ongoing issues — including persistent leaks from aging vehicles.

District Manager Cole Crozier confirmed the upgrades during a meeting with the mayor and Board of Aldermen, noting that recyclable household waste is properly transported to a Vidalia recycling facility, despite rumors suggesting otherwise.

NATCHEZ, Miss. – Adams County board President Kevin Wilson said garbage collectors should be sought now in case a judge agrees the board can legally fire the New Orleans-based contractor now picking up household trash for residents living outside Natchez.

Meeting Monday with other county supervisors, Wilson suggested the board solicit requests for proposals from garbage companies wanting the job and “be ready to take over if the judge rules in our favor.” No action was taken by the board on his proposal.

In a 2-1 vote in March, Adams County supervisors decided to sue United Infrastructure Services of Louisiana and nullify the trash contract amid complaints about poor service and the company being inadequately insured, registered and licensed to do business in Mississippi. UIS is challenging that in litigation now pending in Adams County Circuit Court. It’s uncertain when the judge will issue a ruling, but it could be within a month or so, said board attorney Scott Slover.

 The lawsuit alleges UIS has breached the contract with the county because of poor services that include missed trash pickups and substandard garbage trucks that frequently break down.

“I get texts every day about garbage not being picked up,” Wilson said Monday.

Supervisor Ricky Gray noted UIS can be penalized financially for not collecting trash as contracted to do. The “way to get somebody’s attention is to fine them,” he said. 

The vote taken March 3 by supervisors to sue UIS had Wilson and Wes Middleton in favor and Warren Gaines against. The vote was taken after supervisors closed the public out of their meeting and without board members Gray and Angela Hutchins being present. They’ve subsequently said such important decisions should be made when all five county supervisors are present.

 The Adams County Board of Supervisors hired United Infrastructure Services  in 2023 to serve the 5,700 or so households outside Natchez with twice-a-week garbage pickups. Gaines, Gray and Hutchinson voted to hire UIS while Middleton and Wilson voted against. The $2 million-a-year contract with UIS was followed by a $20-a-month garbage tax increase on county residents, raising the monthly rate to $35, or $420 a year – $240 more than what county residents were paying prior to 2023.