Lamar County Board certifies $37.6 million ad valorem request, moves to invest 2025 bond proceeds

The Lamar County Board of Education voted unanimously on Aug. 12 to certify the district’s FY26 ad valorem tax effort and to take initial steps to invest proceeds from the district’s recently issued bonds.

The board approved a resolution certifying total ad valorem tax needs of $37,612,561.30 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, including an operations request of $36,872,561.30 and an allowance for homestead exemption estimated at $740,000. The resolution also lists debt-service requests associated with the district’s recent financings, including line items for general obligation and limited‑tax notes. The board separately approved a Pearl River County portion of the resolution certifying $610,031.66 in total needs for that county and a $121,164.21 debt‑service request for that area.

The resolutions reference the district’s Series 2025 general obligation bonds, which the agenda materials note were issued in the principal sum of $100,000,000.00. The board’s action directs submission of the resolutions to the respective boards of supervisors to levy the requested amounts as allowed under state law.

Separately, the board voted to request proposals for the investment of 2025 bond funds so district officials can seek professional investment management for the bond proceeds.

All motions on the ad valorem resolutions and the request for bond‑fund investment proposals passed unanimously; recorded votes on key motions listed Lance LeFan, Jennie Hensarling, Shae Farmer and Jordan Carlisle in support. The ad valorem resolutions and the bond‑investment RFP move next to the county levying authorities and to the district’s purchasing/finance process for implementation.

The board also approved advertising for bids to upgrade security cameras at Oak Grove High School, Longleaf Elementary and Oak Grove Elementary — a separate, unanimous motion tied to campus security and capital improvements.