Most Newly Annexed Homeowners Will See Tax Increase Next Year

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

This story is part of a series of stories on what changes new Oxford residents who were recently annexed can expect in the coming months. 

Map of the newly annexed areas.

Homeowners recently annexed into the city of Oxford will not see a change in their tax bill for another year.

However, changes in taxes for most of Oxford’s newest landowners are coming in 2019.

The city of Oxford will begin collecting city property taxes for annexed areas in November 2019. All county taxes for 2018 will be paid in the same manner and location as they were prior to annexation. Additional information regarding taxes will be provided next year.

Homeowners who were previously only in the separate school district or in the county will see an increase.

A house worth approximately 100K will have an increase of:

• $312.20 per year if the home is a primary residence (homesteaded)
• $468.30 per year if the home is a secondary or rental property (non-homestead)
• $78.05 per year if the home is the primary residence of someone over the age of 65 or disabled 

“These are all estimates based on the current Municipal mill rate of 31.22 and the current assessed value of a home,” said Oxford City Clerk Ashley Atkinson. “If either the mill rate or the home’s value changes, these estimates will change.”

The annexation did not affect the school district lines.

Annexed areas are now being served by the Oxford Police and Fire Departments. The city’s fire rating could cause annexed homeowners to have lower home insurance rates. Atkinson said newly annexed residents should see a minimal decrease to their county taxes due to them no longer having to pay the added mills for the Lafayette County Volunteer Fire Department.

A voting/alderman ward has not yet been established for the newly annexed areas. Until that process is complete, the newly annexed citizens are represented by Alderman-at-Large John Morgan.

Residents of annexed areas will be able to vote in municipal elections at the Oxford Conference Center. There is no scheduled municipal election within the next year.

Residents of annexed areas will continue to vote at their county polling place for all county, state, or federal elections. There is no change in voting districts or locations associated with annexation including the upcoming runoff election on Tuesday.