MS SB2937

Jackson County Board of Supervisors may conduct hearings to determine whether property is "blighted" (primarily property damaged by Hurricane Katrina that is uninhabitable, dangerous, or subject to trespassing and pest infestation).

Property owners must receive notice by United States mail and posted notice at least two weeks before a hearing, with notice informing them that a blighted determination allows the county to reenter the property for one year without additional hearings.

If property is adjudicated as blighted and the owner fails to clean it, the board may clean the property and assess the actual costs (including county employee labor, contract costs, administrative costs, and legal costs) plus a penalty up to $10,000 against the property.

The county may reenter and maintain the property up to 6 times per year for removing dilapidated buildings and structures, or up to 12 times per year for cutting grass and removing debris, with each cleaning accruing additional costs and potential penalties.

Assessed costs and penalties become a lien on the property that may be collected like delinquent taxes, with property owners retaining redemption rights; state-owned property is exempt from penalties.