Bill
SB 3409
Creates a dedicated industrial zone emergency district near Golden Triangle Airport to fund and deliver fire, EMS, and related responses for eligible industrial taxpayers.
Purpose and overarching aim
- Authorizes the Board of Supervisors of Lowndes County to establish an Industrial Zone Emergency Response District (the District) near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport.
- The District would provide fire protection, emergency medical services, and other emergency response functions to eligible industrial taxpayers within the district.
- Creates a framework for governance, funding, financing, annexation, and dissolution of the District as a public political subdivision.
Key provisions and changes
1) Creation and boundaries
- The county may initiate formation within 3.5 miles of the airport boundary to serve taxpayers in the area.
- Creation requires a Resolution of Intent by the county board and a petition signed by taxpayers within the proposed boundaries whose 80%+ of total participation factors (as certified by the LCIDA) support district formation.
- Public hearing process and subsequent vote are required before creation.
2) Governance and appointment
- A seven-member Board of Commissioners governs the District.
- Initially, appointments include:
- 1 LCIDA-appointed county resident
- 3 employees from Steel Dynamics, Inc. (or affiliates)
- 1 employee from Paccar, Inc. (or affiliate), or designate another eligible taxpayer
- 1 employee from Airbus Helicopters, Inc. (or affiliate), or designate another eligible taxpayer
- 1 employee from another designated taxpayer
- After two years, appointments shift to the six taxpayers with the highest participation factors (plus LCIDA-appointed member and one additional taxpayer-appointed member), with a special provision if Steel Dynamics donates substantial land, facilities, or funds.
- Terms and eligibility: commissioners must be county residents (LCIDA appointee) or Mississippi residents (taxpayer appointees), with bonds, oaths, and potential reimbursement for expenses.
3) Powers and operations
- District powers include fire protection systems, emergency response, emergency medical services, acquisition/maintenance of assets (fire trucks, ambulances, facilities), contracting, debt issuance, professional services, and agreements with state/federal entities.
- The District can receive and expend funds from all sources and can be treated as a political subdivision for purposes of operations and financing.
4) Taxation and exemptions
- Property and revenue of the District are exempt from state, county, and municipal taxes (including bonds issued by the District, subject to standard disclaimers).
- Public/governmental entities and parcels classified as non-industrial in the district are exempt from special ad valorem taxes and per-employee assessments; exemptions may become taxable if ownership/use changes.
5) Funding mechanisms
- Special ad valorem taxes and per-employee assessments are levied annually by the county board to fund District operations.
- The budget process requires public hearings; annual budgets can be adjusted if revenues differ from estimates.
- The District may issue bonds or other debt with county board consent; borrowing may also occur in anticipation of taxes/revenues.
- Supplemental notes may be issued to cover shortfalls, secured by ad valorem taxes and per-employee assessments.
6) Annexation and dissolution
- Eligible adjacent parcels within 3.5 miles of the airport boundary or contiguous parcels may be annexed by petition or via the original creation process.
- Dissolution requires a supermajority of commissioners and county board approval; assets may be distributed to the county or other subdivisions, with remaining funds returned to the county general fund.
7) Timeline and procedures
- Detailed administrative steps for certification of taxpayers, participation factors, budget timing (annual cycle), and levy calculations are specified.
- Effective date: upon passage.
Status
- Died in committee (as of the action history provided).
Impact and considerations
- If enacted, the District would centralize and fund enhanced emergency response services for designated industrial taxpayers near the Golden Triangle airport.
- Funding is tied to property values and employment; significant participation from major employers (e.g., Steel Dynamics, Paccar, Airbus) influences governance and representation.
- Tax exemptions for the District and certain parcels could affect county revenue; dissolution provisions provide a clear exit path but require coordination with the county.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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