In a unanimous decision on Monday, August 11th, the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors voted to lower the county’s tax millage rate from 41.02 to 34.25 mills, a reduction of 6.77 mills.
The Mississippi Department of Revenue requires counties to assess property values at a minimum of 85% of true value. This year’s reassessment significantly increased property values across the county compared to past years. Typically, higher assessments lead to increased tax bills. To mitigate this impact, the Board’s decision to cut the millage rate aims to ease the financial burden on residents. This reduction applies to real property, personal property, and vehicle taxes, resulting in lower car tag fees as well.
Homeowners who are 65 or older or 100% disabled by January 1, 2025, and eligible for homestead exemptions, will see additional savings. Their property values are “frozen” for tax purposes, shielding them from reassessment increases while benefiting from the lowered millage rate. Other property owners, with different classifications, may see a slight increase in their tax bills due to the higher assessed property values.
“We’ve kept the millage rate steady for more than 20 years,” said District 1 Supervisor Jessie Medlin. “This year, we’re lowering it to help ease the tax burden for our residents.”
“This Board is committed to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said District 3 Supervisor Ray Denison. “Reducing the millage rate is one way we can return some of those dollars to the people while continuing to support the projects and services that keep our county strong.”
“This is about balance — keeping taxes as fair as possible while making sure we can fund law enforcement, road improvements, emergency services, and other critical needs,” said District 4 Supervisor Lee Caldwell. “Lowering the millage rate helps give our residents relief in a year when property values went up significantly.”
The Board is now finalizing the county’s budget for the fiscal year which begins on October 1, 2025. A public presentation of the proposed budget is scheduled for September 2 at 9:15 a.m. at the DeSoto County Administration Building, 365 Losher Street, 3rd Floor Boardroom, Hernando, MS 38632.
