[7/7/04]The true value of all real and personal property in Warren County for 2004 is up about 3.5 percent from the figure computed in 2003.

The information was presented to the Warren County Board of Supervisors by Deputy Tax Assessor Jim Agent. It was the initial step in the process that will lead to the adoption of the tax rates to be in place before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Agent told the board Tuesday the actual value of all real estate and personal property in Warren County is $2,693,553,968, up $91,376,175.

After voting to accept the rolls, the supervisors agreed to begin meeting at 9 a.m. today to begin the process of equalizing the rolls. This means individual board members will spot-check residential, industrial and commercial real property as well as personal property listings to make sure that similar properties across the county have similar valuations. The equalization process must be complete by the board’s first meeting in August.

At the meeting, Aug. 2 this year, the board will vote to open the tax rolls for inspection by the public and then set a time and date to begin hearing any protests of valuation. Once protests are resolved, the board will adopt the rolls and begin the final work in adopting the budget for the new fiscal year and setting the millage rate needed to fund the budget.

The increase in value means that supervisors may leave tax rates at the same level and see a corresponding increase in the county’s income. Had valuations fallen, it would take a higher tax rate to yield the same amount of money.

In other business, the board:

Declared the repair of a sink hole in the 2000 block of Oak Ridge Road an emergency and gave County Engineer John McKee the authority to solicit price quotes from contractors for the repair. The board will open the quotes at 10 a.m. Monday.

Opened bids and awarded a contract to the low bidder Central Asphalt Co. of Vicksburg to repair damage done to Warrior’s Trail by the derailment of a Kansas City Southern Railway train earlier this year. Central’s bid was for $19,600, which will be paid by the railroad.

Approved payment of $3,180 to ABMB Engineers for work done on the Cherry-Adams Street Bridge project and to ABMB for $1,660 for work on the road and rail improvement project at the Port of Vicksburg.

Authorized Fire Coordinator Kelly Worthy to accept a new fire truck for Northeast Volunteer Fire Department and to issue a check for the county’s $50,000 share of the $100,000 cost.