Leakesville expansion set to take effect Mon.
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By ANNETTE HARVISON
Herald Staff
Monday, Nov. 25, a number of current county residents will wake up as residents of the Town of Leakesville.
Although the official date of the annexation is Sunday, Nov. 24, nothing will happen until business resumes Monday. As reported previously, residents will not incur any significant changes until after Jan. 1, 2020. In the meantime, town officials will be busy preparing to offer services to an expanded citizenry.
Town officials will be meeting with an urban planner and the annexation council to begin the process of addressing the finer details such as redistricting plans, budget review, business licenses, etc. Redistricting will work through zoning and land use issues for commercial and residential properties. Businesses affected by the annexation will have to file for a privilege license with the town as well.
New residents will not see any changes to their tax bill until 2021. They will howeverreceive information from the circuit clerk regarding voting information, and a new map will be sent to the Census Bureau to ensure all town residents are included in the upcoming census count.
Town Clerk Rex Garretson said officials will review the five-year water and sewer service commitment plans for adding and including new areas of the town. Garretson said the Greene County Board of Supervisors and the Leakesville Mayor and Board of Aldermen will work together to make the change for utility services for affected residents. Until those details are worked out, Garretson said new town residents will keep the same water and garbage services and the same fees associated with those services.
Residents living near the new city limits, but not in the newly incorporated area, will have the option to become a resident of town. Property ownders adjacent to new town lines can request annexation, however annexation is not guaranteed. To be eligible, land must join town limits.
To avoid confusion among residents, town officials have said no maps of newly incorporated land will be published until Leakesville Town Hall receives them from the state. Once the town has received the new map, it will be uploaded to the Town of Leakesville webpage under the ‘Proposed Annexation’ link in the customer service tab and on the Leakesville Town Hall Facebook page.
“We are excited to welcome all our new residents to Leakesville,” Garretson said. “We will send out information to new residents soon.”
Anyone with questions about the annexation or what it means to new town residents can contact Leakesville Town Hall by phone at (601)394-2383, email at leakesvillems.com or visit at 301-A Lafayette Ave. Updates can be found on Leakesville Town Hall’s Facebook page.
