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TELEPHONES
Hancock County Assessor-Tax Collector Post Office Box 2428-Bay Saint Louis,Mississippi 39521
EDWARD D. MURTAGH, JR.
COLLECTOR (601) 467-4425 467-1669
ASSESSOR
467-5727
APPRAISAL
467-0130
PICAYUNE
798-8555
appraisals by conducting a sales ratio study. If we are above or below the market we would be ordered to factor our land rolls before we can collect taxes.
We are constantly preparing our land rolls, when one year ends another starts. Our land rolls are presented to the Supervisors for study during the month of July. In August they are turned over to the tax payers for examination. After acceptance by the Supervisors and the ending of any hearings, the rolls are presented to the Tax Commission for their approval. We have recently received approval to collect 1992 taxes.
Hancock County has 47,025 parcels of land. There are 271,301 acres of land in the County. 241,550 acres of this land is subject to taxation. 14,212 acres belongs to the U. S. Government and is not taxable. 12,898 acres is exempt school land, 2,392 acres are State, County and Municipal land. 249 acres belong to the Tax Commission.
About two years ago this office took on the responsibility of the Emergency numbering system in the County. We named or numbered each road and structure in the County. In case of emergency our citizens can dial 911 and receive a response from an emergency unit. The system works with the local Sheriff, Police departments, and fire units who receive the calls and dispatch the proper unit. This office is responsible for the maintaining of the 911 system. This is a full time job.
We are also responsible for the registration and taxing of all Mobile Homes. We have some 1200 mobile homes registered in the County.
The State of Mississippi has an Homestead Exemption law that allows for reduction of taxes for home owners. The reduction is in accord with the valuation of the property. Those 100% disabled or over 65 receive a complete exemption on $6,000 assessed value of property or $60,000 appraised value of the property. We are now under a two year non signing for the exemption. Last year and next year those who had