Rankin supervisors adopt FY2026 budget and tax levies; discuss bond projects, I-20 loop work and efficiency upgrades

The Rankin County Board of Supervisors voted Sept. 2 to adopt the fiscal year 2026 budget and publish the approved plan, set the county and school tax levies and authorize county staff to obligate professional services funding for a highway initiative.

The board adopted a combined fiscal year 2026 budget of $274,705,588 and set the county tax levy at 41.74 mills — unchanged from FY2025 — and the Rankin County School District levy at 57.62 mills, a 1.84‑mill increase the school district requested. Supervisors carried motions to adopt and to publish the budget; the transcript records motions as carried but did not record a roll‑call tally.

The school district delegation told supervisors the district was again ‘‘flat funded’’ by the state for the second consecutive year and that rising costs — teacher pay steps, insurance and fuel — are pressuring budgets. The superintendent said that while some districts received additional state support this cycle, others were held flat and the Rankin district must rely on local levies to cover shortfalls. Board members and the superintendent discussed the statewide context and the district’s challenge to recruit and retain teachers when other districts are able to pay more.

Separately, supervisors authorized the county administrator to execute a professional‑services agreement related to the I‑20 Connect Loop Transportation Initiative. County staff said the professional services will be paid from federal and state appropriations already secured for the project and that no county funds are required to obligate the work; staff named Wagner Benchmark and IRO (property acquisition) as contractors involved in grade‑separation and right‑of‑way tasks. Staff noted a limited $640,000 award tied to an East Loop element that must be obligated against that segment.

Supervisors also discussed a proposed bond project list tied to previously secured private‑placement bond proceeds (roughly $36.5–$37 million referenced during discussion). Staff and supervisors reviewed candidate uses including roofs and HVAC replacements at the Justice Center and other county buildings, lighting retrofits (the juvenile detention center has roughly 1,100 bulbs identified), controls for the county administrative building to allow office‑level HVAC control, and replacement of community development roofing sections. Board members discussed using some cash‑on‑hand versus bond proceeds and noted private‑placement structure differences that could affect repayment flexibility. The board deferred some decisions to a later meeting and tasked staff to finalize qualifying projects and contractor quotes.

As part of capital planning, supervisors authorized staff to prepare and submit applications to Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD) and the Mississippi Department of Transportation for Transportation Alternatives (TA) funding to build sidewalks connecting Pisco High School to athletic facilities and additional parking. County staff said the project is a strong candidate for TA funding because it serves school facilities; supervisors directed staff to finalize submittals.

On energy efficiency, staff described a PATH program (utility‑sponsored energy services) offering rebates and noted a municipal discount rider under discussion; staff said a per‑tax‑ID rebate maximum is roughly $50,000 and that some lighting projects could qualify for additional rebates. The board reviewed which projects are ‘‘low‑hanging fruit’’ to deliver savings and rebates quickly and agreed to vote on a narrowed list at the next meeting.

The board also approved a housekeeping item to authorize the coroner to contract Mississippi Mortuary Services Inc. for up to $350 for an unclaimed body per the county’s indigent‑remains policy.

Supervisors said they will return to bond‑project prioritization and final contract awards at the Sept. 15 meeting after receiving outstanding contractor quotes and remaining technical information.