Rankin County supervisors set nonbinding stormwater referendum for Nov. 4, 2025

The Rankin County Board of Supervisors voted to place a nonbinding local election referendum on the Nov. 4, 2025 ballot that would ask voters whether they favor creating a countywide stormwater management agency funded by an annual property fee.

Board attorney and staff described the referendum as an advisory, nonbinding question that would allow the board to learn whether residents support a county-level approach to drainage, erosion and flooding problems. The board instructed staff to prepare a resolution and the exact ballot language for the circuit clerk and election commissioners.

The proposed ballot language discussed in the meeting would read in part that the board is "considering the creation of a countywide stormwater management agency whose purpose will be to address drainage, erosion and flooding problems throughout Rankin County and its cities" and that the proposal "includes the establishment of a fee to be paid by property owners on an annual basis to fund the agency's operations." Staff provided an illustrative residential fee estimate of $100 per year; the board emphasized that any final fee and program details would be set later if the board chose to proceed.

Board members and staff framed the referendum as a way to respond to persistent countywide drainage challenges that can require specialized equipment, staff and coordinated planning. Board attorney said the county could use an existing state statute authorizing joint stormwater districts and that municipalities would have the option to participate or opt out under the statute. He stressed that the referendum itself would not create the agency, but would inform the board whether residents support such a proposal.

Supervisors expressed differing views about timing and scope. Some members said a November 2025 referendum would quickly test public sentiment; others warned of the expense of running a countywide election and suggested waiting for a larger, countywide election in 2026 to increase participation and reduce per-voter cost. The board discussed that the November 2025 election calendar as it then stood would directly engage only two county districts, which affects turnout and the cost of deploying machines to all precincts.

After discussion, the board adopted a motion directing staff to prepare a resolution and ballot language and to schedule the referendum for Nov. 4, 2025. The motion carried by a 4–1 vote.

The board did not adopt any fee schedule or create an agency at the meeting. Board members said many implementation details — including final engineering, fee methodology, opt-out deadlines for municipalities and the ultimate structure of a management board — would be addressed later if the board moves forward following the referendum.