The Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors, acting as the Lauderdale County Board of Equalization, on Monday revoked an action taken by Tax Assessor Jimmy Slay, which would have reduced property taxes for more than 2,500 county residents.

Last month, Slay sent out letters to 2,548 property owners stating that any land totaling more than five acres would be granted agricultural land use value.

Previously, agricultural use credit was given for land that exceeded 20 acres in Lauderdale County and to residents who applied for agricultural land use if they owned less than 20 acres that was being used for farmland, cattle or other agricultural use.

Supervisors revoked Slay’s motion during an equalization hearing Monday at 3 p.m. at the Raymond P. Davis Courthouse Annex.

District 2 Supervisor Jimmie Smith said the hearing was scheduled during the board’s July 3 meeting.

Supervisors held their regular semimonthly meeting at 5 p.m.

District 5 Supervisor Ray Boswell said the current regulation of 20 acres or more was set by supervisors in 1984. Supervisors said they believe Slay should have consulted with them before making the change and sending out the letters.

“He didn’t investigate those parcels of property,” Smith said. “He said no one from his office went out to look and no one came into his office to apply, and therefore it was wrong for him to blanketly do that.”

Slay told supervisors during a work session last week that he had the authority to do what he did. Frank McCain from the Mississippi State Tax Commission attended last week’s work session and agreed with Slay.

After Monday’s meeting, Slay said he plans to see if there are any avenues he can take to reinstate his action. He said he wanted to benefit the residents of Lauderdale County who have lived and worked in the county for many years.

Slay said his move would have cost the county between $148,860 and $186,075 in lost property tax revenue. Some supervisors estimated last week that loss would be in the millions of dollars.

“Either way it goes, if we gave that blanket authority, the board would have to shift the tax burden to someone else,” Smith said.

In other business, supervisors passed the following motions.

• To extend the county-wide burn ban and the post-Katrina state-of-emergency until Aug. 7.

• To hire Virginia Turnbow as a Justice Court clerk.

• To advertise for bids for a new roof on the juvenile center.

PROPERTY APPRAISAL

The Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors reminded the public they have until Aug. 9 at 5 p.m. to object to their property appraisal. Residents can call (601) 482-9746 for more information.