Desoto officials seek homestead solution

Seeking to smooth tax interpretation potholes that are tripping hundreds of recipients of homestead exemptions, DeSoto County officials are vowing to work with state revenue officials to try to ease any financial loss.

“We’re trying to do everything we can to make sure the people of DeSoto County aren’t adversely affected, but there will be some,” County Administrator Vanessa Lynchard said.

She said she was aware that the state Department of Revenue had objected to least 1,800 exemptions. The exemptions range from about $300 to $1,000.

“There’s been a change in leadership at the Tax Commission with a reinterpretation of the rules, and some have resulted in people losing the exemption,” said Lynchard.

Among the results has been loss of the exemption in some households where a spouse over age 65 died. Nonpayment of state income tax also has led to loss of the exemption, she said.

At last month’s meeting of the DeSoto Board of Supervisors, Chancery Clerk W.E. “Sluggo” Davis and Deputy Clerk Misty Heffner said their office had received hundreds of objections from the state this year, and they expect more.

“There are 82 counties in Mississippi and they’re all having problems,” said Heffner. “It’s not just us.”

The supervisors authorized board attorney Tony Nowak to seek an opinion from the state Attorney General’s Office on aligning Mississippi Department of Revenue rules with state law. Meanwhile, Davis and Tax Collector Joey Treadway and their staffs will work toward easing local impacts, said Lynchard.

On more agreeable tax matters, the supervisors, at the recommendation of Jim Flanagan, president and chief executive of the DeSoto Economic Development Council, approved incentives for two firms expanding in Southaven: Stylecraft Home Collection and Nidec Motor Corp., formerly Emerson Motors.

Stylecraft received a five-year personal prop- erty tax exemption. Joseph Judd, chief financial officer, said the wholesale distributor of lamps, wall décor and other home accessories was moving up to 167,000 square feet in space from 125,000 square feet. The company’s annual payroll is $4.85 million.

Nidec, which handles assembly and distribution of electric motors, is adding 75,000 square feet to its current space of 295,000 square feet, said managers John Stubbs and Bill Heustess. The firm has a $3 million yearly payroll including temporary workers.