Gipson meets with poultry growers and county officials in Wayne County
Sept. 3, 2024 – Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson met with poultry producers, members of County Boards of Supervisors, economic developers and bankers in Waynesboro last week at the invitation of Representative Shane Barnett to provide an update on a pending ad valorem tax increase as it impacts Mississippi poultry house. Gipson offered a short-term solution for counties currently updating tax valuations and discussed the need for a permanent legislative solution.
“The Mississippi Department of Agriculture has been working diligently on this issue since I was first informed of the issue on August 2. This comes at the worst possible time for our farmers. This ad valorem tax increase coupled with record inflationary pressures farmers are currently facing would be highly detrimental to our farmers, forcing some out of business while others could take years to recover,” said Gipson.
Gipson discussed recent guidance by the Mississippi Department of Revenue which provides for a short-term solution for counties currently in the process of updating tax valuations for 2024. These counties have the option to request a one-year delay in the proposed increases which would allow time for a legislative solution. County Boards of Supervisors may contact the Department of Revenue to reschedule their implementation for the next calendar year. Commissioner Gipson urged counties requesting the delay to act quickly to ensure county budget deadlines are met.
“While counties do have a short-term solution, work must begin now to find a long-term solution, or we will find ourselves in the same situation in the future. The ability for counties to delay one year gives time for the Legislature to address this ad valorem tax issue in the 2025 Regular Session. We will be working closely with our Legislators to find a permanent resolution to help the farmers on this major issue during the 2025 Session,” said Gipson.
