Rankin County supervisors adopt flexible tax-exemption policy, approve two conditional-use permits and set fire-district millage hearing

Rankin County supervisors on Aug. 4 adopted a new policy for property-tax exemptions for new and expanding industries, approved a conditional-use permit for a small mining operation and a conditional use for an accessory pool-house, voted to support Rankin First in seeking state site-development funds for an industrial park in Florence, accepted bids for three surplus fire trucks and set a public hearing Aug. 28 on a proposed millage increase for the Reservoir Fire Protection District.

The board adopted a revised tax-exemption policy that removes fixed minimums for investment and job creation and leaves both the dollar amount and term of exemptions to supervisors’ discretion on a case-by-case basis. County and Rankin First officials said the change was intended to give the county flexibility when negotiating with prospective companies while remaining subject to qualifying requirements in state law.

Supervisors approved a conditional-use permit for R and J Construction Inc. to mine a four-acre, MDEQ-exempt site on Rankin Road, subject to standard conditions: limited hours of hauling, no Sunday operations, a daily requirement to keep public roads clear of debris, on-site dust…