Lauderdale County Tax Assessor Jimmy Slay said residents have until 5 p.m. on Aug. 9 to appeal their real property values if they are not satisfied with the amount listed on the tax rolls.

Slay told The Meridian Star’s Editorial Board on Thursday that residents who had damage to their home as a result of Hurricane Katrina, or who may think their property taxes are too high or too low, can look up their property to check its value.

“The board has now equalized the roll and they’ve opened that roll for inspection in the chancery clerk’s office, and anybody can come in and look up their values,” Slay said.

Residents who are not satisfied with their property’s appraisal can appeal in writing to the chancery clerk’s office no later than 5 p.m. on Aug. 9. The Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors will begin hearing those cases at 10 a.m. on Aug. 10.

Slay also discussed his decision to change minimum amount of acreage for agricultural use value from 20 acres to five acres and the county’s reappraisal for 2008 during an Editorial Board interview with The Meridian Star. See Monday’s edition for more excerpts from the interview.