County Board hears zoning matter, tax appeal, other routine business 8-4-2025 -

Personal Appearances:

Businessman Kenaz Worthem appeared before the Board to discuss his plan for putting tiny homes, portable/modular homes and other alternative housing on six acres in Union County. This included a request for variance to increase to three dwellings per acre and questions about whether alternative construction using shipping containers could be approved. The Board appeared reluctant to increase to 3 dwellings/acre, but said they would work with him any way they could. They asked for more information, site plans, etc. before making any decisions. It was discussed that Mr. Worthem would actually need a variance on the Portable Home code’s park restriction. The Board took no action at this meeting. The matter will be on a later agenda. (See details in video below this post.)

Consent Agenda:

Thirteen agenda items dealing with routine payments, expenditures, Road Department work schedule, previous meeting minutes, etc. were all approved with little or no discussion or details. There was a short discussion of the change order for $4599.17 work on the Courthouse Cupola, which was occasioned by the discovery of deteriorated wood that needed to be replaced. No action was taken on an appeal for escaped taxation , which is expected to be taken up at the next meeting.

Departmental Topics: (See video below for more details)

Chancery Clerk: approval of deleted laptop.
County Engineer: Approval for State Aid Program involving County Rd. 47.
EMA: Approval for moving $26,000 from capital outlay budget to contracts & services budget.
E-911: Approval for full-time/part-time status changes for three employees
Road Department:
- Accepted quote for tree-cutting blower to Energreen for $9690.
- Approved pay increase for Jeremy Blake Canerdy.
Sheriff’s Department:
- Approved $1880 check to Sheriff’s Office to replenish P.I.P.E fund.
- Accepted $72,350 quote from Deweese & Swearingen Roofing (Oxford, MS) for a new roof for the Jail.
- Accepted $6559.68 quote from BCI for a secure wireless network for Sheriff’s Office.
- Approved longevity pay increase for Frita Rakestraw (5 Years).
Tax Office:
Approved one laptop surrender.
Heard one objection to 2025 taxes:

Ivan Giddings appeared before the Board to appeal the tax assessment on his home at 1310 South Central Ave. He argued that it has not been taxed in accordance with the MS code, which requires that uniform and equal assessment be done for all properties. He says that his home’s true value is higher than its appraised value and that it is taxed at more than double Union County’s average depreciated rate for homes built between 1960 and 1980, which is $35.73 per square foot. Giddings also states that most homes in Union County are assessed below 50% of their market value, and that many homes in the area still have their original assessments after having had additions. He claims that he is due a refund of $29,451 for tax years 2022 – 2024. Union Co. Assessor/Collector Tameri Dunnam refuted Mr. Giddings claims, stating that they did, in fact properly assess the property, going into detail about various uses and assessments of specific portions of both the home and business included on the property. She stated that state officials had reviewed the 2022-2024 assessments, found them to be correct, and will have no further discussions of the taxes. The Board of Aldermen voted to deny the appeal.