Supervisors vote on tax exemptions for local companies

During Monday’s meeting of the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors, Tax Assessor/Collector Gary Beech brought the board two requests from Drying Facility Assets Holding, LLC, for an ad valorem tax exemption extension request (seven years left on the extension) and an application for ad valorem tax exemption for expansion.

The Board voted in 4-1 in favor of the first request with Board President Sandy Kane Smith voting no on the first request. Smith explained his reasons for his no vote on the first request.

“My reason for voting no on the exemption for the sand plant was based on them being an existing business, and after they had been here a few years, they wanted an exemption. When they first came here, they said they didn’t want any government help,” Smith explained.

Smith added, “That has stuck in the back of my mind, and all of sudden they wanted help, that’s why I voted against the first exemption extension request. The second request, I support because it was an expansion of an existing business already here, and that met the criteria as far as I’m concerned as an elected official. I support the expansion of companies.”

The board voted 5-0 to approve the request related to the expansion activities.