Supervisors were asked by Vicksburg officials Tuesday to consider raising taxes for their road and bridge maintenance fund countywide to achieve a better balance of services in relation to dollars paid.

Mayor Laurence Leyens said during a joint meeting with Warren County’s governing board the tax generates about $1 million each year and is split between the city and the county.

“We think that the tax should reflect the actual cost of maintaining roads and bridges,” Leyens said. “Choice B is for us to get out of road and bridge maintenance and pass that over to you.”

Supervisors once again did not agree with the mayor’s math.

Tax levies are set by categories that fund different parts of total budgets. One category is set aside for roads and bridges, but Leyens said the the city’s $480,000 share does not cover the nearly $3 million being spent.

Under state law, counties set and collect the road and bridge tax and cities have the option to take half of the money it raises or leave all road and bridge repairs up to the county. Leyens said that the city and county could reduce both governments general fund tax rates to offset the increase meaning no net tax increase to property owners.

“We’re trying to clean up the accounting and wean off the casino tax revenue because the casino industry is no guarantee,” Leyens said.

District 5 Supervisor Richard George, also board president, pointed out that the city receives 65 percent of the revenue-based taxes on casinos that the city can use for roads and bridges. The county collects 35 percent.

“That’s one reason why we’ve been using (casino revenue) for resurfacing and capital expenses. To let the taxpayers breathe,” George said.

He also said trying to offset by lowering the general fund tax rates would result in a net decrease in revenue to the county and a net increase to the city.

For residents outside the municipal limits, tax bills are calculated to include state, school and county taxes. City residents also pay city taxes.

City and county boards have been meeting for months on their different views that city residents are double-taxed, but receive few county services. The debate has been at the heart of the argument over funding for the 911 dispatch center.

This week, the mayor’s office issued a press release stating that the city will be meeting with eight mayors from other Mississippi cities Friday morning and will hold a statewide press conference at 11 a.m. at City Hall after the meeting.