Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-1 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 19 / Section 27-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-1
Status: in_force

No municipality shall have the power to grant to any person, firm or corporation any exclusive franchise or any exclusive right to use or occupy the streets, highways, bridges, or public places in such municipality for any purpose. No municipality shall grant, renew, or extend any such franchise, privilege or right, without compensation or for any longer period than twenty-five years.

The provisions of this section shall be applicable to all municipalities of this state, whether operating under a code charter, special charter, or the commission form of government, except in cases of conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of the special charter of a municipality, or the law governing the commission form of government, in which cases of conflict the provisions of the special charter or the statutes relative to the commission form of government shall control.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-203 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-203
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-203
Status: in_force

For purposes of Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221 , the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context shall otherwise require:

(a) “ Association ” means the Mississippi Water and Pollution Control Operator's Association, Inc.

(b) “ Board ” means the Mississippi State Board of Health.

(c) “ Commission ” means the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality.

(d) “ Community water system ” means a public water system serving piped water for human consumption to fifteen (15) or more individual service connections used by year-round consumers or regularly serving twenty-five (25) or more individual consumers year-round, including, but not limited to, any collection, pretreatment, treatment, storage and/or distribution facilities or equipment used primarily as part of, or in connection with, that system, regardless of whether or not the components are under the ownership or control of the operator of the system.

(e) “ Commercial Class I rubbish site ” means a permitted rubbish site which accepts for disposal Class I rubbish, as defined by the commission, for compensation or from more than one (1) generator.

(f) “ Nontransient, noncommunity water system ” means a public water system that is not a community water system and that regularly serves at least twenty-five (25) of the same persons over six (6) months per year.

(g) “ Operator ” means the person who directly supervises and is personally responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of a wastewater facility, community water system, nontransient, noncommunity water system or commercial nonhazardous solid waste management landfill.

(h) “ Person ” means the state or any agency or institution of the state, any municipality, political subdivision, public or private corporation, individual, partnership, association or other entity, including any officer or governing or managing body of any municipality, political subdivision, or public or private corporation, or the United States or any officer or employee of the United States.

(i) “ Pollution ” means contamination or other alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties of any waters of the state, including change in temperature, taste, color, turbidity or odor of the waters, or the discharge of any liquid, gaseous, solid, radioactive or other substance or heat into any waters of the state.

(j) “ Wastewater facilities ” means pipelines or conduits, pumping stations, force mains, treatment plants, lagoons or any other structure, device, appurtenance or facility, whether operated individually or in any combination, used for collecting, treating and/or disposing of municipal or domestic wastewater, by either surface or underground methods, which is required to have a permit under Section 49-17-29 .

(k) “ Waters of the state ” means all waters within the jurisdiction of this state, including all streams, lakes, ponds, impounding reservoirs, marshes, watercourses, waterways, wells, springs, irrigation systems, drainage systems and all other bodies or accumulations of water, surface and underground, natural or artificial, situated wholly or partly within or bordering upon the state, and such coastal waters as are within the jurisdiction of the state, except lakes, ponds or other surface waters which are wholly landlocked and privately owned.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-43 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 1 / Section 29-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-43
Status: in_force

(1) Once a year during the first five (5) years following retirement of a member on either duty or non-duty disability retirement allowance, and once in every three-year period thereafter, the board may require any disability beneficiary who has not completed twenty (20) years' service under the terms and provisions of this article to undergo a medical examination at the place of residence of the beneficiary or other place mutually agreed upon, to be made by a physician or physicians designated by the board. Should any disability beneficiary who has not completed twenty (20) years' service under the terms and provisions of this article refuse to submit to at least one (1) medical examination in any such year by a physician or physicians designated by the board, his allowance shall be discontinued until his withdrawal of such refusal, and should his refusal continue for one (1) year, all his rights in and to any and all retirement allowances under the retirement system shall be revoked by the board.

(2) Should the examining physician or physicians report and certify to the board that a disability retirant has recovered and is able to engage in a gainful occupation, and should the board concur in such report, then the disability retirement allowance shall cease. In the case of a duty disability retirant only, upon again becoming an employee of the employer, he shall again become a member of the retirement system and the time during which he was a disability retirant shall be counted as time in the service of the employer for the purpose of service retirement.

(3) Any disability retirant, who has not completed twenty (20) years' service under this article prior to retirement, who secures gainful employment over a period of three (3) consecutive months shall not thereafter receive any disability retirement allowance and it shall be the duty of the board to revoke its order directing the payment of a retirement allowance to such person.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-81 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 15 / Section 33-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-81
Status: in_force

The governing authorities of any municipality in this state are hereby authorized, in their discretion, to have the lands in the municipality (whether platted in lots and blocks or otherwise described) appraised, surveyed, the area determined, and the land and any buildings, structures or improvements thereon valued for the purpose of assessment and taxation. Such survey and appraisal may be made by the assessor or by a competent person, or persons, to be selected by the governing authorities, and the cost thereof paid from the general fund. When such survey and appraisal are made, a permanent record thereof shall be prepared and preserved as a public record by the clerk. The assessor, any member of the governing authorities, or any state official performing duties with reference to the assessment of property shall have access to such records at all reasonable hours.

The governing authorities may have prepared cards, maps, plats and such other records as may be considered proper and necessary to keep a record of all land and the elements of value thereof, in the municipality, and to revise and correct the same from time to time in order that such appraisal, and the other information, may be current.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-43-133 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 37 / Section 43-133
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-43-133
Status: in_force

(1) Any district established or extended pursuant to the provisions in Sections 21-43-101 through 21-43-133 , which has satisfied all indebtedness incurred to accomplish any of the purposes of the district, may be dissolved by the governing authority of the municipality upon:

(a) Written and certified petition from the property owners within the district who collectively represent more than seventy percent (70%) of the total assessed valuation of all benefited real property in the boundaries of the district, or

(b) The district plan terminates when no reauthorization has occurred as set forth in Sections 21-43-101 through 21-43-133 .

(2) Upon dissolution of a business improvement district, any assets of the district remaining shall be transferred to the municipality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-31-19 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 13 / Section 31-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-31-19
Status: in_force

The civil service commission shall keep a list of all members of the said police and/or fire department, and formulate methods of determining the relative qualifications of persons seeking employment in either department, and give preference to those having the best qualifications. The commission shall provide that men laid off because of curtailment of expenditures, reduction in force, and like causes, shall be the last man or men, including probationers, that have been appointed to either the fire and/or police departments, until such reductions necessary shall have been accomplished. However, in the event said department shall again be increased in number, those suspended shall be reinstated before any new appointments shall be made.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-35-13 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 35 / Section 35-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-35-13
Status: in_force

At the regular meeting in each month, the city clerk shall submit to the governing authorities of the municipality a report showing the expenditures and liabilities incurred against each separate budget appropriation item during the preceding calendar month, and like information for the whole of the fiscal year to the first day of the month in which such report is made, together with the unexpended balance of each appropriation item and the unencumbered balance. He shall also set forth the receipts from property taxes and, in detail, the receipts from other taxes and all other sources of each fund for the same period.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-9 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-9
Status: in_force

The assessment of all real and personal property in any municipality subject to taxation, except such property as is required by law to be assessed by the state railroad assessors, shall be made by the municipal assessor, by one (1) of the following methods:

(a) The governing authorities of any municipality may provide that the assessor shall copy from the county assessment rolls of real and personal property, that portion of the assessment rolls which embraces property, or persons, within the municipality. The copy may be made at any time after the county assessment rolls are filed with the clerk of the board of supervisors, by the county tax assessor.

(b) The governing authorities of any municipality may provide for a separate assessment to be made each year, by its assessor, of all taxable personal property, and each year, or each two (2) years, of all taxable real property, including buildings, improvements, structures or other interests therein.

If the governing authorities provide for a separate assessment by the assessor, as provided by paragraph (b) above, the assessor shall use tax lists for both real and personal property generally the same as the tax lists prescribed for county assessors.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) to the contrary, the governing authorities of any municipality which is located within a county having completed a countywide reappraisal approved by the state tax commission and which has been furnished a true copy of that part of the county assessment roll containing the property located within the municipality as provided in Section 27-35-167 shall adopt such assessment roll for its assessment purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-15-39 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-15-39
Status: in_force

The provisions of Sections 21-15-3 , 21-15-7 through 21-15-19 , 21-15-23 to 21-15-31 , shall be applicable to all municipalities of this state, whether operating under a code charter, special charter, or the commission form of government, except in cases of conflict between the provisions of such sections and the provisions of the special charter of a municipality, or the law governing the commission form of government, in which cases of conflict the provisions of the special charter or the statutes relative to the commission form of government shall control.

The provisions of Sections 21-15-1 , 21-15-5 , 21-15-33 , shall apply to all municipalities of this state, whether operating under the code charter, a special charter, commission form, or other form of government.

The provisions of Section 21-15-21 , shall apply to all municipalities, whether operating under code charter, special charter, or any commission form of government.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-223 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 19 / Section 29-223
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-223
Status: in_force

The disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen shall be set aside as a special trust fund and shall only be disbursed in the manner hereafter provided. Such fund shall be a part of the public funds of the Public Employees' Retirement System and shall be kept by the board as it is required to keep its other funds. Interest earned on said fund shall be credited to and become a part of said fund. All moneys on deposit in such funds on July 1, 1987, shall be paid over to the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi on or before July 1, 1987.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-21-3 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 3 / Section 21-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-21-3
Status: in_force

The governing authorities of municipalities shall have the power and authority to employ, regulate and support a sufficient police force or night marshals, to define the duties thereof, and to furnish and supply all suitable and necessary equipment therefor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-31-13 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 13 / Section 31-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-31-13
Status: in_force

The provisions of Sections 21-31-1 through 21-31-27 shall include all full paid employees of the fire and/or police departments of each municipality coming within its purview, including the chiefs of those departments. All appointments to and promotions in said departments shall be made solely on merit, efficiency, and fitness, which may be ascertained by open competitive examination and impartial investigation. No person shall be reinstated in, or transferred, suspended, or discharged from any place, position or employment contrary to the provisions of Sections 21-31-1 through 21-31-27 . The governing authorities of the municipality may, with the approval of the civil service commission, extend the benefits of Sections 21-31-1 through 21-31-27 to other full time employees of the municipality.

All incumbents and future appointees shall be subject to civil service, except, however, those appointees now and hereafter serving as extra members.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-37-11 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 37 / Section 37-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-37-11
Status: in_force

The governing authorities of municipalities shall have the power to provide for the lighting of streets, parks and public grounds, and the erection of lamps and lamp posts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-213 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 21 / Section 27-213
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-213
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding any provision of Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221 to the contrary, any person who is an operator of a municipal or domestic wastewater facility or community water system on July 1, 1986, may, on or before June 30, 1987, apply to the board or commission for, and shall be issued, an operator's certificate without examination or proof of other qualifications, if the application is accompanied by an affidavit of the owner of the facility or system verifying the status of the applicant. Any certificate so issued shall be valid only for the particular facility being operated by the applicant, and then only so long as the facility remains in the same or a lower classification as at the time the application is filed.

(2) Notwithstanding any provision of Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221 to the contrary, any person who is an operator of a nontransient, noncommunity water system on July 1, 1997, may, before June 30, 1998, apply to the board for an operator's certificate without examination. The application shall be accompanied by an affidavit of the owner of the system verifying the status of the applicant. The board shall consider the performance history of any system operated by the applicant in determining whether to issue a certificate under this subsection. Upon review of the performance history and the application, the board may grant or deny the issuance of a certificate under this subsection. Any certificate issued under this subsection shall be valid only for the particular facility being operated by the applicant.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-227 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 17 / Section 29-227
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-227
Status: in_force

The authority is vested in the board of trustees to invest such part of said fund as may not be immediately required, in investments authorized under Section 25-11-121 with the right to change said investment from time to time, and with the right and duty to convert invested funds into current funds as the same may be needed for the purposes of this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-23-15 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 1 / Section 23-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-23-15
Status: in_force

Neither the municipal judge, the marshal or chief of police, any police officer, or any other officer, shall receive any fees or costs in any case in the municipal court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-31 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 3 / Section 29-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-31
Status: in_force

After the expiration of four (4) years from the effective date of an employer's operation under this article, any member who has been an employee of the employer, to whom application is made, for twenty (20) years or more, whether continuous or not, provided the last seven (7) years of which service shall have been continuous, may retire upon his written application to the board setting forth at what time, not less than thirty (30) nor more than ninety (90) days subsequent to the filing thereof, he desires to be retired. The board shall grant him the benefits under Section 21-29-33 to which he is entitled because of the service retirement. It shall be mandatory that any member retire after he attains the age of seventy (70) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-219 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 27 / Section 29-219
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-219
Status: in_force

(1) The Disability and Relief Fund for Firemen and Policemen shall be created and, except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, maintained by an ad valorem tax levied annually on all property in the municipality, provided the election called for in Section 21-29-203 has authorized the creation of the fund. The levy made, and the deductions from the salaries of members, shall be in an amount sufficient, but not more than the amount necessary, to make the system actuarially sound by July 1, 2000, as certified to the municipality by the board. Such tax shall not be included in the ten percent (10%) limitation on increases under Section 27-39-321 , nor shall any tax increase exceed one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill per year; however, if any levy to pay debt service on bonds issued under Section 31-25-20 as described in subsection (2) of this section is reduced for any year as a result of payment of the bonds or otherwise, the levy under this subsection (1) for such year may be increased by an amount, in addition to the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill otherwise authorized, not to exceed the reduction for such year in the millage levied to pay debt service on the bonds.

(2) In addition to, or in lieu of, the method of funding provided for in subsection (1) of this section, the municipality may fund or assist in funding the retirement system through the use of revenue bonds issued pursuant to Section 31-25-20 . Any tax levied to service the debt on such bonds shall not be included in the ten percent (10%) limitation on increases under Section 27-39-321 .

(3) The fund may be created and maintained by such gifts, donations and bequests as may be made to the fund by any person or corporation, by any appropriation or tax levy, or both, of the municipality, by such sum or sums as the municipality may receive from insurance companies for the benefit of the fund, and by the deduction by the municipality from the salary of each member of the Disability and Relief Fund for Firemen and Policemen of not less than seven percent (7%) nor more than ten percent (10%) of the amount thereof. Any increase to an amount in excess of seven percent (7%) shall be in increments of not more than one percent (1%) per annum. No increase from the deduction of seven percent (7%) shall be made unless the board determines that the avails of the tax levy of three (3) mills, when combined with the avails of the deduction of seven percent (7%), is insufficient to keep the system actuarially sound.

(4) The municipality and the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System may enter into such contracts and agreements as are deemed necessary to implement the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, contracts and agreements addressing the use, application and investment of proceeds of bonds issued under Section 31-25-20 and earnings thereon and the relative rights and obligations of the municipality and the Public Employees' Retirement System during the period that the bonds are outstanding and thereafter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-41 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 21 / Section 29-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-41
Status: in_force

Upon retirement for nonduty disability as provided in Section 21-29-39 , a member shall receive for each year's active service one-fortieth ( 1 / 40 ) of the average monthly salary or compensation received by such member from the employer in the four-year or two-year period, as the case may be, next preceding the injury or illness causing such disability.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-71 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 31 / Section 33-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-71
Status: in_force

When the state, county, or taxing district taxes are paid by a municipality, or where lands are redeemed or purchased by a municipality, as provided in Section 21-33-69 , such lands shall not be exempt from state, county, or other taxing district taxes but shall be liable for such taxes the same as if owned by an individual. It shall be the duty of the tax assessor to assess lands purchased pursuant to the authority granted in Section 29-1-51, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for taxes in the same manner as other lands are assessed and if the taxes are not paid when due, it shall be the duty of the tax collector to sell said land for the delinquent taxes due and unpaid at the time and in the manner provided by law for the sale of lands for delinquent taxes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-31-7 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 5 / Section 31-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-31-7
Status: in_force

Immediately after the appointment of the civil service commission, the commission shall organize by electing one (1) of its members chairman. The commission shall hold regular meetings at least once each month, and such additional meetings as may be required for the proper discharge of its duties.

The commission shall appoint a secretary and a board of examiners, which board shall consist of the fire chief (or a person designated by the fire chief from the fire department to serve in his absence), the police chief (or a person designated by the police chief from the police department to serve in his absence), and a third member to be named by the commission, all of whom shall serve without compensation. The secretary shall keep the records and preserve all reports made to the commission, and also a record of all examinations held under the direction of the board of examiners, and perform such other duties as the commission may prescribe. The members of the board and the secretary are subject to suspension and discharge in the same manner as the commissioners.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-65 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 19 / Section 33-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-65
Status: in_force

If, from any cause, a sale of any land for municipal taxes, both ad valorem and for special improvements, or any installment thereof, that may be delinquent, which is liable to such sale shall not be made at the time appointed by law for such sale, it may be sold thereafter, in the same or a subsequent year, at any time designated therefor by order of the governing authorities of the municipality in which such land may be situated. Notice of a sale so ordered shall be given by advertising it in the manner prescribed by law for the sale of land for state and county taxes, and the sale shall be made at the same place and be subject to all the provisions of law applicable to such sales made at the time appointed by law. Lists of lands sold to the municipality and to individuals shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the municipality within the same relative period of time after the sale as is allowed by law for filing such lists after tax sales made at the regular time, and the clerk shall at once record them. Such lists shall be as valid and have the same effect and be subject to all the provisions of the law applicable to such lists made of lands sold at the regular sale for taxes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-316 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 7 / Section 29-316
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-316
Status: in_force

(1) Pursuant to the Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1992 ( Public Law 102-318 (UCA)), a member or the spouse of a member who is an eligible beneficiary entitled to a refund under Article 1, 3 or 5 of this chapter may elect on a form prescribed by the board under rules and regulations established by the board, to have an eligible rollover distribution of accumulated contributions payable under this section paid directly to an eligible retirement plan, as defined under applicable federal law, or an individual retirement account. If the member or the spouse of a member who is an eligible beneficiary makes that election and specifies the eligible retirement plan or individual retirement account to which the distribution is to be paid, the distribution will be made in the form of a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer to the specified eligible retirement plan. A non-spouse beneficiary may elect to have an eligible rollover distribution paid in the form of a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer to an individual retirement account established to receive the distribution on behalf of the non-spouse beneficiary. Flexible rollovers under this subsection shall not be considered assignments under Section 21-29-307 .

(2) From and after July 1, 2001, subject to the rules adopted by the board of trustees, any plan under this chapter shall accept an eligible rollover distribution or a direct transfer of funds from another eligible retirement plan or an individual retirement account in payment of all or a portion of the cost to repay a refund as permitted by the plan. The plans may only accept rollover payments in an amount equal to or less than the balance due for reinstatement of service credit. The rules adopted by the board of trustees shall condition the acceptance of a rollover or transfer from another eligible retirement plan on the receipt of information necessary to enable the system to determine the eligibility of any transferred funds for tax-free rollover treatment or other treatment under federal income tax law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-209 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 25 / Section 29-209
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-209
Status: in_force

The board shall fix a time for regular meetings in its minutes and it shall keep minutes of its meetings, which shall be public records. Special meetings may be held upon the call of the chairman of the board or any two (2) members thereof, upon twenty-four (24) hours' written notice, stating the purpose of the meeting, or at any time when all members are present.

The board shall have the duty and power to promptly hear and pass upon all applications of firemen and/or policemen or of beneficiaries of deceased firemen and of deceased policemen for participation in the benefits of said fund. Said board may hear witnesses, administer oaths, find facts, and make decisions in all matters properly before said board, which decisions shall be final except upon appeals in the way hereafter set forth. Said board shall order payments made according to the facts found and the provisions of this article, which payments shall be made as far as funds may be available. The board may invest the funds as provided in Section 25-11-121 , and such funds may be commingled with other system funds for the most advantageous investments; however, each fund shall have separate accounting status.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-95 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 3 / Section 27-95
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-95
Status: in_force

Any municipality or public utility commission desiring to reproduce by microfilm, photograph, photostat or other process, the records of municipal system or systems under the authority granted in Section 21-27-93 are authorized and vested with the authority to purchase or acquire any equipment, materials and supplies necessary therefor, or to contract for the reproducing of said records in accordance with Section 31-7-1 et seq. Any such contract shall not exceed a period of twelve (12) months.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-255.nr2 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 25 / Section 29-255.nr2
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-255.nr2
Status: in_force

(1) If any member of the fire or police department dies in active service, or dies in inactive service on account of disability approved for disability relief under Section 21-29-241 , as a result of injury received while in the discharge of duty in the service of the fire department or police department, or dies as a result of sickness or disease, due to the discharge of duty while in service as a member of the fire or police department, or if the member dies while entitled to relief after retirement under Section 21-29-245 , the amount of disability relief or retirement relief being paid, or which should have been properly paid, shall continue to be paid from the fund to the spouse of the deceased member for life for the use of the spouse and the child or children of the deceased member. If the deceased member is not survived by a spouse, but there remains a child or children of the deceased member, the payments shall continue to be made to a parent or lawful custodian of the child or children without the necessity of appointment as guardian for the benefit of the child or children. After the death of the spouse, all payments to the spouse shall cease, and after the death of any child or children of the deceased member, all payments to the child or children shall cease. If the deceased member is not survived by a spouse or child or children, but is survived by a father or a mother dependent upon him or her, the payments shall continue to be made to the dependent father or mother, or both, so long as each lives, or if there is no dependent father or mother surviving the deceased member, the payments shall continue to be made to the unmarried dependent sister or sisters of the deceased member, so long as the beneficiary or beneficiaries remain unmarried. Upon the death or marriage of any such sister, all payments shall cease to her. Payments to dependents under this section are for services rendered to the members of the fire and/or police department, and the amount of payments is within the discretion of the board of disability and relief, but in no event shall the amount payable under this section be in excess of the amount that would have been payable as disability and relief to a member of the department.

If any member of the fire or police department dies while a member of the fire department or police department, and the member has had not less than five (5) years' service with the department, there shall be paid from the firemen's and policemen's disability and relief fund the following benefits:

(a) For each year's active service, not to exceed a period of twenty (20) years, one-fortieth ( 1 / 40 ) of the average monthly salary or compensation received by the member in the six-month period next preceding his or her death; and

(b) For each full year of active service in excess of twenty (20) years service, an additional payment in a sum equal to one and seven-tenths percent (1- 7 / 10 %) of the same average monthly base salary and longevity pay received by the member in the six-month period next preceding his or her death (provided that no such payment shall exceed sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66- 2 / 3 %) of the average monthly base salary and longevity pay received by a member for the six-month period next preceding his or her death) to the spouse of the deceased member for the use of the spouse and the child or children of the deceased member, so long as the spouse lives and if, after the death of the spouse, there remains a child or children of the deceased member, the payments shall continue to be made to a parent or lawful custodian of the child or children without the necessity of appointment as guardian for the benefit of the child or children. After the death of the spouse, all payments to the spouse shall cease, and after the death of any child or children of the deceased member, all payments to the child or children shall cease. If the deceased member is not survived by spouse or child or children, but is survived by a father, mother or an unmarried sister dependent upon him or her, the payments shall continue to be made to the dependent father or mother or both, so long as each lives, or if there is no dependent father or mother surviving the deceased member, the payments shall continue to be made to the dependent sister or sisters of the deceased, or dependent incurable children, so long as the beneficiary or beneficiaries remains unmarried. Upon the death or marriage of any such sisters, all payments shall cease to her.

(2) For the purposes of this section:

(a) “ Dependent ” means wholly dependent.

(b) “ Child ” or “ children ” means:

(i) Children of the deceased member under the age of eighteen (18);

(ii) Children of the deceased member eighteen (18) years of age or older who have not yet reached their twenty-third birthday and are pursuing a full-time education; or

(iii) Children of the deceased member who, though eighteen (18) years of age or older, are wholly dependent upon the deceased and incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical disability.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-237 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 9 / Section 29-237
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-237
Status: in_force

Every member of said fire department and police department including its officers, but not including the governing authorities of said city on account of their relation as such to said fire department and/or police department, who are members of the disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen shall come under the provisions and benefits of this article, and shall receive all benefits provided for in this article. All firemen and policemen who are employed in the said fire department or police department after adoption of a resolution by the municipality in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of Section 21-29-17 shall not become members of the disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-39 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 13 / Section 33-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-39
Status: in_force

Any taxpayer, or any person owning or having a legal interest in any property, feeling aggrieved at the action of the governing authorities in equalizing and making final assessments, shall have the right of appeal to the circuit court in the manner provided by Section 11-51-77, Mississippi Code of 1972 , within twenty (20) days after the adjournment of the meeting of the said governing authorities at which the final approval of the assessment roll is entered on the minutes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-45 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 23 / Section 27-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-45
Status: in_force

Such bonds as may be issued pursuant to the authority granted in Section 21-27-23 may be serial or term; redeemable, with or without premium, or nonredeemable; registered or coupon bonds with registration privileges as to either principal and interest, principal only or both. They shall bear interest at a rate to be determined pursuant to the sale of the bonds, and shall be payable at such time or times as shall be prescribed in the ordinance authorizing them. They shall mature at such time or times, not exceeding the said estimated life of the contemplated system or improvement, and in no event longer than thirty (30) years from their date, and at such place or places as shall be prescribed in the ordinance authorizing their issuance. Any provisions of the general laws to the contrary notwithstanding, any bonds and interest coupons issued pursuant to the authority granted in Section 21-27-23 shall possess all the qualities of negotiable instruments. The bonds and the interest coupons shall be executed in such manner and shall be substantially in the form prescribed in the authorizing ordinance. In case any of the officers whose signatures or countersignatures appear on the bonds or interest coupons shall cease to be such officers before delivery of such bonds, such signatures or countersignatures shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if they had remained in office until such delivery. No bond shall bear more than one (1) rate of interest. Each bond shall bear interest from its date to its stated maturity date at the interest rate specified in the bid. All bonds of the same maturity shall bear the same rate of interest from date to maturity. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually or annually, except that the first interest coupon attached to any such bond may be for any period not exceeding one (1) year.

No interest payment shall be evidenced by more than one (1) coupon and neither cancelled nor supplemental coupons shall be permitted. The lowest interest rate specified for any bonds issued shall not be less than seventy percent (70%) of the highest interest rate specified for the same bond issue. Such bonds shall be sold in such manner and upon such terms as the governing authorities of the municipality shall determine, provided that such bonds shall not bear a greater overall maximum interest rate to maturity than that allowed in Section 75-17-103, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and the interest rate on any one (1) interest maturity shall not exceed the maximum interest rate allowed on such bonds. Each interest rate specified in any bid must be in multiples of one-eighth of one percent ( 1 / 8 of 1%) or in multiples of one-tenth of one percent ( 1 / 10 of 1%). If serial bonds, such bonds shall mature annually, and the first maturity date thereof shall not be more than five (5) years from the date of such bonds. Such bonds shall be legal investments for trustees and other fiduciaries, and for savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi. The bonds and interest coupons shall be exempt from all state, county, municipal and other taxation under the laws of the state of Mississippi. The principal of and interest upon such bonds shall be payable solely for the revenues derived from the operation of the system acquired or improved with proceeds of the sale of such bonds. No bond issued pursuant to the authority granted in Section 21-27-23 shall constitute an indebtedness of a municipality within the meaning of any statutory or charter restriction, limitation or provision. It shall be plainly stated on the face of each such bond in substance that the same has been issued pursuant to the authority granted in Section 21-27-23 and that the taxing power of the municipality issuing the same is not pledged to the payment of such bond or interest thereon, and that such bond and the interest thereon are payable solely from the revenues of the system to acquire or improve which such bond is issued.

Such bonds shall be sold on sealed bids at public sale in the manner provided by Section 31-19-25 . In the event the issuing municipality shall have received a commitment from any agency of the United States of America for the purchase of all or any portion of an issue of such bonds prior to the sale thereof or for financial assistance in providing debt service on such bonds, then, and in such event, said issue or any part thereof may be sold to the United States of America or any agency thereof at private sale. Provided, however, no bonds issued under the authority of Section 21-27-23 shall bear an overall maximum interest rate greater than that allowed in Section 75-17-103, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

It is specifically provided that any bond issue to be awarded and sold to the United States of America or any agency thereof shall mature at such time or times, not to exceed thirty-five (35) years, as shall be prescribed in the ordinance of the municipality authorizing their issuance.

It is specifically provided that any bond issue to be awarded and sold to the United States of America or any agency thereof may be issued as one or more amortized bonds without coupons, may be dated the date of delivery thereof, and the purchase price for such bond or bonds may be delivered in multiple advances, with interest to accrue on the principal advanced form the date of each such advance. The amount of each such advance and the date thereof shall be registered on the reverse of each such bond and attested by the manual signature of the clerk of the municipality.

On issues of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) or more, the governing authorities of a municipality may retain the services of a fiscal advisor to assist in the sale of bonds hereunder and pay to such fiscal advisor a fee not to exceed the following amount: Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) plus one-quarter of one percent ( 1 / 4 of 1%) of the amount of the issue in excess of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00). No such fiscal advisor shall be eligible to bid for or participate in the underwriting of the bonds for which he acted as advisor.

Before a person can qualify as a fiscal advisor under the terms of this section, he shall have been actively engaged in the business of fiscal counseling for municipalities, or the underwriting of municipal bonds, for a period of five (5) years prior to qualifying under this section. A partnership or corporation may become a fiscal advisor hereunder with the same qualifications. Such person, corporation, or partnership shall have had prior experience as a fiscal advisor or been involved in the underwriting or investing in bonds of the state of Mississippi, or one or more of the subdivisions thereof, and such person, partnership or corporation shall be recognized in the fiscal community as a reputable and qualified fiscal advisor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-9 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 1 / Section 27-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-9
Status: in_force

If, upon complaint of any citizen or citizens interested, the governing authorities of any municipality find that there is reasonable ground for believing that any meter or meters intended to measure or register the quantity of water, electric light or power, or gas supplied or furnished by any individual, company or corporation to the municipality or its inhabitants is or are measuring or registering incorrectly or excessively or is or are of a less candle power or degree of brilliancy than required by contract, such governing authorities may employ an expert, who shall examine and test said meter or meters, or said light or lights, as the case may be, and report back to said governing authorities, notice of the time and place of the proposed test or tests being first given to all parties interested. If such examination or test shall show the fact that said meter or meters measure or register incorrectly or excessively, or that said light or lights are of a less candle power or brilliancy than required by contract, then all expenses of such examination and test incurred by said municipal governing authorities shall be charged against and collected back from said individual, company or corporation supplying or furnishing such water, electric light or power, or gas, as the case may be, and such penalties may be imposed as the municipal ordinances may provide.

The governing authorities of any municipality are authorized to prosecute any person tampering with electric, gas or water meters as provided in Section 97-25-3 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-19-21 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-19-21
Status: in_force

The governing authorities of municipalities shall have the power to establish fire limits, and to regulate, restrain, or prohibit the erection of buildings made of sheet iron, wood, or any combustible material, within such limits as may be prescribed by ordinance, and to provide for the removal of the same at the expense of the owner thereof when erected contrary to the ordinances of the municipality. Such authorities shall have the power to regulate and prevent the storing of green hides and the carrying on of manufactures dangerous in causing or producing fires, injurious to health, or obnoxious or offensive to the inhabitants. Such authorities shall have the power to regulate the storage of powder, pitch, turpentine, resin, hemp, hay, cotton, and all other combustible and inflammable materials, and the storage of lumber in yards or on lots within the fire limits or as may be prescribed by ordinance. Such authorities shall have the power to regulate the use of lights and candles in stables, shops, and other places. Such authorities shall have the power to remove or prevent the construction of any fireplace, chimney, stove, oven, boiler, kettle, or any apparatus used in any house, building, manufactory, or business which may be dangerous in causing or producing fires. Such authorities shall have the power to direct the safe construction of deposits for ashes. Such authorities shall have the power to enter into and examine all dwelling houses, lots, yards, inclosures, and buildings of every description as well as other places, in order to ascertain whether any of them are in a dangerous state. Such authorities shall have the power to take down and remove buildings, walls, and superstructures that may become insecure or dangerous, and to require the owner of insecure or dangerous buildings, walls, and other erections to remove or render the same secure and safe at the cost of the owner of such property. Such authorities shall have the power to regulate and prescribe the manner and order the building of party, parapet, and fire-walls and party-fences, and to regulate and prescribe the construction and building of chimneys, smokestacks, and smoke and hot-air flues.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-57 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 8 / Section 29-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-57
Status: in_force

Nothing in this article shall limit or otherwise restrict the power of the governing body of any municipality that has a retirement system under this article to adopt such vacation and sick leave policies for its employees as it deems necessary. Any such municipality having a vacation and sick leave policy that provides for the payment of unused accumulated annual leave, personal leave or both to employees at the time of their retirement shall be authorized to make such payments to any employee who retires or has retired after September 30, 1991.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-31-3 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 25 / Section 31-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-31-3
Status: in_force

The governing authorities of any municipality in which there is located a port of entry, in any county which has created a county port authority, may, in their discretion and by ordinance, extend the provisions of Sections 21-31-1 through 21-31-27 to all full-paid employees in all departments of such municipality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-39 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 13 / Section 29-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-39
Status: in_force

Upon application of a member in service of the employer, any member who has had not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty (20) years' service with the employer and who has become totally and permanently incapacitated for duty, as a result of causes occurring other than in the performance of his duty, shall be retired by the board not less than thirty (30) nor more than ninety (90) days next following the date of filing such application, on a non-duty disability retirement allowance. Any such disability shall be certified to the board in the same manner as provided in Section 21-29-35 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-19-63 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 3 / Section 19-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-19-63
Status: in_force

The governing authorities of municipalities may provide that any person desiring to subdivide a tract of land within the corporate limits shall submit a map and plat of such subdivision, and a correct abstract of title of the land platted, to said governing authorities, to be approved by them before the same shall be filed for record in the land records of the county. Where the municipality has adopted an ordinance so providing, no such map or plat of any such subdivision shall be recorded by the chancery clerk unless same has been approved by said governing authorities. In all cases where a map or plat of the subdivision is submitted to the governing authorities of a municipality, and is by them approved, all streets, roads, alleys and other public ways set forth and shown on said map or plat shall be thereby dedicated to the public use, and shall not be used otherwise unless and until said map or plat is vacated in the manner provided by law, notwithstanding that said streets, roads, alleys or other public ways have not been actually opened for the use of the public. If any easement dedicated pursuant to the provisions of this section for a street, road, alley or other public purpose is determined to be not needed for the public purpose, the easement may be declared abandoned, and ownership of the fee underlying the easement shall revert, regardless of the date of dedication, to the adjoining property owner or owners at the time of abandonment. Ownership of the easement shall extend to the centerline of said abandoned street, road or public way. Such abandonment and reversion shall not affect any private easements which might exist.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-17 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 15 / Section 29-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-17
Status: in_force

The membership of the retirement system shall be composed as follows:

(a) All persons who become employees after the date fixed in the ordinance of the governing body for the retirement system to go into effect shall become members of the retirement system on the expiration of two (2) months from date of employment; however, persons who have reached the age of forty (40) years who have not had prior service or membership service which may be reinstated as hereinafter provided shall not be members of the retirement system.

(b) All persons who are employees of the municipality, and who are members of the general municipal employees' retirement system shall come under the provisions and benefits of this article and shall receive all benefits provided for in this article. The municipality shall each month deduct from the total compensation of each member not less than seven percent (7%) nor more than ten percent (10%) of the amount thereof, and put the amounts deducted in the employees' savings fund. Any increase to an amount in excess of seven percent (7%) shall be in increments of not more than one percent (1%) per annum. No increase from the deduction of seven percent (7%) shall be made unless the municipality determines that the avails of a levy of three (3) mills, when combined with the avails of the deduction of seven percent (7%), is insufficient to keep the system actuarially sound.

(c) In lieu of the other provisions of this article, any municipality operating under the provisions of this article on March 1, 1976, may, by a resolution duly adopted and entered upon its minutes, enter into an agreement with the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi whereby all new firemen and policemen employed or reemployed after the effective date of such agreement shall be included in the provisions of such agreement for retirement purposes to the same extent as are other employees covered by the Public Employees' Retirement System.

(d) No new member may be joined after July 1, 1987, and all new employees of the municipality who are employed after July 1, 1987, shall be covered by the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-43-117 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 35 / Section 43-117
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-43-117
Status: in_force

(1) For initial creation of the district, reauthorization of the district at the end of each ten-year period, or modification of the boundaries of the district at the end of a ten-year period, the clerk of the municipality shall notify all property owners to be included in the proposed district of a public hearing to review the plan and receive comment about the process for accepting or rejecting the plan. Following a public hearing, the governing authority of the municipality shall set an election date not more than sixty (60) days from the date of the public hearing. The ballot shall clearly state the issue to be decided. Only property owners of record as of the date of initial notice given as provided in Section 21-43-111 shall be eligible to participate in any such election.

(2) Notice of an election to create, continue or extend a district shall be:

(a) Mailed to each of the district property owners of record thirty (30) days prior to the election, and

(b) Published at least twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality, the first publication shall be not less than ten (10), nor more than thirty (30) days before the date for the election. The notice shall include a copy of the plan, a ballot for the election and a notice about the time and date for the election.

(3) Not less than ten (10) nor more than thirty (30) days before the date set for the election, the governing authority of the municipality shall cause a copy of the plan and the ballot to be posted in the lobby of its city hall.

(4) Ballots shall be marked, signed and submitted by the eligible property owner to the clerk of the municipality by the date designated on the ballot.

(5) The clerk of the municipality shall notify the property owners in the district of the result.

(6) If the plan is approved by sixty percent (60%) of the participating eligible property owners, the mayor of the municipality shall review the initial district plan to ensure its compliance with the provisions of Sections 21-43-101 through 21-43-133 .

(7) The tax collector shall disburse the proceeds collected from the assessment to the designated district management group within thirty (30) days after the assessment is due. At such time of any disbursement, the tax collector shall provide a listing of the property owners and payment amounts, including the date paid. The tax collector shall provide information upon request by the district related to any unpaid or sold parcels.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-15 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 25 / Section 29-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-15
Status: in_force

The clerk of said employer shall, within thirty (30) days after the effective date of the ordinance of the municipality to be passed as provided in Section 21-29-5 , prepare a statement showing the length of service of employees, prior to effective date of said ordinance, then employed by the employer and the total salaries or wages paid each in cash or warrants during the four (4) years of employment by the employer next before said effective date of said ordinance. Such facts shall, subject to correction after each employee is given ten (10) days within which to check and prove to the board any error therein, be the basis for the board to approve the issuance of prior service certificates and records and to determine the sum each prior service employee electing to come within the retirement system shall deposit in the employees' savings fund. The secretary of the board shall, upon approval of the board, issue to each employee a prior service certificate. The clerk of the employer shall have the duty of keeping all service records and all records on the various funds provided by this article. The clerk shall on or before July 1, 1987, forward all service records and funds to the Public Employees' Retirement System.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-9-59 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-9-59
Status: in_force

The council is authorized to provide by ordinance for the division of the wards, or if there be no wards, for the division of the municipality, into such number of voting precincts as may be necessary, each as nearly as possible containing the same number of qualified electors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-17-1 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-17-1
Status: in_force

(1) Every municipality of this state shall be a municipal corporation and shall have power to sue and be sued; to purchase and hold real estate, either within or without the corporate limits, for all proper municipal purposes, including parks, cemeteries, hospitals, schoolhouses, houses of correction, waterworks, electric lights, sewers and other proper municipal purposes; to purchase and hold personal property for all proper municipal purposes; to sell or dispose of personal property or real property owned by it consistent with Section 17-25-25 ; to acquire equipment and machinery by lease-purchase agreement and to pay interest thereon, if contracted, when needed for proper municipal purposes; and to sell and convey any real property owned by it, and make such order respecting the same as may be deemed conducive to the best interest of the municipality, and exercise jurisdiction over the same.

(2)(a) In case any of the real property belonging to a municipality shall cease to be used for municipal purposes, the governing authority of the municipality may sell, convey or lease the same on such terms as the municipal authority may elect. In case of a sale on a credit, the municipality shall charge appropriate interest as contracted and shall have a lien on the same for the purchase money, as against all persons, until paid and may enforce the lien as in such cases provided by law. The deed of conveyance in such cases shall be executed in the name of the municipality by the governing authority of the municipality pursuant to an order entered on the minutes. In any sale or conveyance of real property, the municipality shall retain all mineral rights that it owns, together with the right of ingress and egress to remove same. Except as otherwise provided in this section, before any such lease, deed or conveyance is executed, the governing authority of the municipality shall publish at least once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks, in a public newspaper of the municipality in which the real property is located, or if no newspaper be published as such, then in a newspaper having general circulation therein, the intention to lease or sell, as the case may be, the municipally owned real property and to accept sealed competitive bids for the leasing or sale. The governing authority of the municipality shall thereafter accept bids for the lease or sale and shall award the lease or sale to the highest bidder in the manner provided by law. However, whenever the governing authority of the municipality shall find and determine, by resolution duly and lawfully adopted and spread upon its minutes (i) that any municipally owned real property is no longer needed for municipal or related purposes and is not to be used in the operation of the municipality, (ii) that the sale of such property in the manner otherwise provided by law is not necessary or desirable for the financial welfare of the municipality, and (iii) that the use of such property for the purpose for which it is to be sold, conveyed or leased will promote and foster the development and improvement of the community in which it is located and the civic, social, educational, cultural, moral, economic or industrial welfare thereof, the governing authority of the municipality shall be authorized and empowered, in its discretion, to sell, convey or lease same for any of the purposes set forth herein without having to advertise for and accept competitive bids.

(b) In any case in which a municipality proposes to sell, convey or lease real property under the provisions of this subsection (2) without advertising for and accepting competitive bids, the governing authority may sell, convey or lease the property as follows:

(i) Consideration for the purchase, conveyance or lease of the property shall be not less than the average of the fair market price for such property as determined by at least two (2) professional property appraisers selected by the municipality and approved by the purchaser or lessee. Appraisal fees shall be shared equally by the municipality and the purchaser or lessee;

(ii) The governing authority of a municipality may contract for the professional services of a Mississippi licensed real estate broker to assist the municipality in the marketing and sale or lease of the property, and may provide the broker reasonable compensation for services rendered to be paid from the sale or lease proceeds. The reasonable compensation shall not exceed the usual and customary compensation for similar services within the municipality; or

(iii) The governing authority of a municipality may lease property of less than one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet to any person or legal entity by having two (2) appraisals establish the fair market value of the lease, and on such other terms and conditions as the parties may agree, such lease being lawfully adopted and spread upon its official minutes.

(3) Whenever the governing authority of the municipality shall find and determine by resolution duly and lawfully adopted and spread upon the minutes that municipally owned real property is not used for municipal purposes and therefore surplus as set forth in subsection (2) of this section:

(a)(i) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph (a), the governing authority may donate such lands to a bona fide not-for-profit civic or eleemosynary corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Mississippi and granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service and may donate such lands and necessary funds related thereto to the public school district in which the land is situated for the purposes set forth herein. Any deed or conveyance executed pursuant hereto shall contain a clause of reverter providing that the bona fide not-for-profit corporation or public school district may hold title to such lands only so long as they are continued to be used for the civic, social, educational, cultural, moral, economic or industrial welfare of the community, and that title shall revert to the municipality in the event of the cessation of such use for a period of two (2) years. In any such deed or conveyance, the municipality shall retain all mineral rights that it owns, together with the right of ingress and egress to remove same;

(ii) If the governing authority of a municipality with a total population of greater than forty thousand (40,000) but not more than forty-two thousand five hundred (42,500) according to the 2010 federal decennial census, donates real property to a bona fide not-for-profit civic or eleemosynary corporation and such civic or eleemosynary corporation commits Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) to renovate or make capital improvements to the property by an agreement between a certain state institution of higher learning and the civic or eleemosynary corporation, then the clause of reverter required by this paragraph shall provide that title of such real property shall revert 1. to the bona fide not-for-profit civic or eleemosynary corporation, if a certain state institution of higher learning ceases to use the property for the purposes required by this paragraph (a) for donated lands, or 2. to the municipality, if a certain state institution of higher learning ceases to use the property for the purposes required by this paragraph (a) and the not-for-profit civic or eleemosynary corporation or its successor ceases to exist;

(b)(i) The governing authority may donate such lands to a bona fide not-for-profit corporation (such as Habitat for Humanity) which is primarily engaged in the construction of housing for persons who otherwise can afford to live only in substandard housing. In any such deed or conveyance, the municipality shall retain all mineral rights that it owns, together with the right of ingress and egress to remove same;

(ii) In the event the governing authority does not wish to donate title to such lands to the bona fide not-for-profit civic or eleemosynary corporation, but wishes to retain title to the lands, the governing authority may lease the lands to a bona fide not-for-profit corporation described in paragraph (a) or this paragraph (b) for less than fair market value;

(c) The governing authority may donate any municipally owned lot measuring twenty-five (25) feet or less along the frontage line as follows: the governing authority may cause the lot to be divided in half along a line running generally perpendicular to the frontage line and may convey each one-half ( 1 / 2 ) of that lot to the owners of the parcels laterally adjoining the municipally owned lot. All costs associated with a conveyance under this paragraph (c) shall be paid by the person or entity to whom the conveyance is made. In any such deed or instrument of conveyance, the municipality shall retain all mineral rights that it owns, together with the right of ingress and egress to remove same;

(d) Nothing contained in this subsection (3) shall be construed to prohibit, restrict or to prescribe conditions with regard to the authority granted under Section 17-25-3 .

(4) Every municipality shall also be authorized and empowered to loan to private persons or entities, whether organized for profit or nonprofit, funds received from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under an urban development action grant or a community development block grant under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 ( Public Law 93-383 ), as amended, and to charge interest thereon if contracted, provided that no such loan shall include any funds from any revenues other than the funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; to make all contracts and do all other acts in relation to the property and affairs of the municipality necessary to the exercise of its governmental, corporate and administrative powers; and to exercise such other or further powers as are otherwise conferred by law.

(5)(a) The governing authority of any municipality may establish an employer-assisted housing program to provide funds to eligible employees to be used toward the purchase of a home. This assistance may be applied toward the down payment, closing costs or any other fees or costs associated with the purchase of a home. The housing assistance may be in the form of a grant, forgivable loan or repayable loan. The governing authority of a municipality may contract with one or more public or private entities to provide assistance in implementing and administering the program and shall adopt rules and regulations regarding the eligibility of a municipality for the program and for the implementation and administration of the program. However, no general funds of a municipality may be used for a grant or loan under the program.

(b) Participation in the program established under this subsection (5) shall be available to any eligible municipal employee as determined by the governing authority of the municipality. Any person who receives financial assistance under the program must purchase a house and reside within certain geographic boundaries as determined by the governing authority of the municipality.

(c) If the assistance authorized under this subsection (5) is structured as a forgivable loan, the participating employee must remain as an employee of the municipality for an agreed upon period of time, as determined by the rules and regulations adopted by the governing authority of the municipality, in order to have the loan forgiven. The forgiveness structure, amount of assistance and repayment terms shall be determined by the governing authority of the municipality.

(6) The governing authority of any municipality may contract with a private attorney or private collection agent or agency to collect any type of delinquent payment owed to the municipality, including, but not limited to, past-due fees, fines and other assessments, or with the district attorney of the circuit court district in which the municipality is located to collect any delinquent fees, fines and other assessments. Any such contract debt may provide for payment contingent upon successful collection efforts or payment based upon a percentage of the delinquent amount collected; however, the entire amount of all delinquent payments collected shall be remitted to the municipality and shall not be reduced by any collection costs or fees. Any private attorney or private collection agent or agency contracting with the municipality under the provisions of this subsection shall give bond or other surety payable to the municipality in such amount as the governing authority of the municipality deems sufficient. Any private attorney with whom the municipality contracts under the provisions of this subsection must be a member in good standing of The Mississippi Bar. Any private collection agent or agency with whom the municipality contracts under the provisions of this subsection must meet all licensing requirements for doing business in the State of Mississippi. Neither the municipality nor any officer or employee of the municipality shall be liable, civilly or criminally, for any wrongful or unlawful act or omission of any person or business with whom the municipality has contracted under the provisions of this subsection. The Mississippi Department of Audit shall establish rules and regulations for use by municipalities in contracting with persons or businesses under the provisions of this subsection. If a municipality uses its own employees to collect any type of delinquent payment owed to the municipality, then from and after July 1, 2000, the municipality may charge an additional fee for collection of the delinquent payment provided the payment has been delinquent for ninety (90) days. The collection fee may not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the delinquent payment if the collection is made within this state and may not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the delinquent payment if the collection is made outside this state. In conducting collection of delinquent payments, the municipality may utilize credit cards or electronic fund transfers. The municipality may pay any service fees for the use of such methods of collection from the collection fee, but not from the delinquent payment. There shall be due to the municipality from any person whose delinquent payment is collected under a contract executed as provided in this subsection an amount, in addition to the delinquent payment, of not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the delinquent payment for collections made within this state, and not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the delinquent payment for collections made outside of this state.

(7) In addition to such authority as is otherwise granted under this section, the governing authority of any municipality may expend funds necessary to maintain and repair, and to purchase liability insurance, tags and decals for, any personal property acquired under the Federal Excess Personal Property Program that is used by the local volunteer fire department.

(8) In addition to the authority to expend matching funds under Section 21-19-65 , the governing authority of any municipality, in its discretion, may expend municipal funds to match any state, federal or private funding for any program administered by the State of Mississippi, the United States government or any nonprofit organization that is exempt under 26 USCS Section 501(c)(3) from paying federal income tax.

(9) The governing authority of any municipality that owns and operates a gas distribution system, as defined in Section 21-27-11(b) , and the governing authority of any public natural gas district are authorized to contract for the purchase of the supply of natural gas for a term of up to ten (10) years with any public nonprofit corporation which is organized under the laws of this state or any other state.

(10) The governing authority of any municipality may perform and exercise any duty, responsibility or function, may enter into agreements and contracts, may provide and deliver any services or assistance, and may receive, expend and administer any grants, gifts, matching funds, loans or other monies, in accordance with and as may be authorized by any federal law, rule or regulation creating, establishing or providing for any program, activity or service. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed as authorizing any municipality or the governing authority of such municipality to perform any function or activity that is specifically prohibited under the laws of this state or as granting any authority in addition to or in conflict with the provisions of any federal law, rule or regulation.

(11)(a) In addition to such authority as is otherwise granted under this section, the governing authority of a municipality, in its discretion, may sell, lease, donate or otherwise convey property to any person or legal entity without public notice, without having to advertise for and accept competitive bids and without appraisal, with or without consideration, and on such terms and conditions as the parties may agree if the governing authority finds and determines, by resolution duly and lawfully adopted and spread upon its official minutes:

(i) The subject property is real property acquired by the municipality:

1. By reason of a tax sale;

2. Because the property was abandoned or blighted; or

3. In a proceeding to satisfy a municipal lien against the property;

(ii) The subject property is blighted and is located in a blighted area;

(iii) The subject property is not needed for governmental or related purposes and is not to be used in the operation of the municipality;

(iv) That the sale of the property in the manner otherwise provided by law is not necessary or desirable for the financial welfare of the municipality; and

(v) That the use of the property for the purpose for which it is to be conveyed will promote and foster the development and improvement of the community in which it is located or the civic, social, educational, cultural, moral, economic or industrial welfare thereof; the purpose for which the property is conveyed shall be stated.

(b) Any deed or instrument of conveyance executed pursuant to the authority granted under this subsection shall contain a clause of reverter providing that title to the property will revert to the municipality if the person or entity to whom the property is conveyed does not fulfill the purpose for which the property was conveyed and satisfy all conditions imposed on the conveyance within two (2) years of the date of the conveyance.

(c) In any such deed or instrument of conveyance, the municipality shall retain all mineral rights that it owns, together with the right of ingress and egress to remove same.

(12) The governing authority of any municipality may enter into agreements and contracts with any housing authority, as defined in Section 43-33-1 , to provide extra police protection in exchange for the payment of compensation or a fee to the municipality.

(13) The governing authority of any municipality may reimburse the cost of an insured's deductible for an automobile insurance coverage claim if the claim has been paid for damages to the insured's property arising from the negligence of a duly authorized officer, agent, servant, attorney or employee of the municipality in the performance of his or her official duties, and the officer, agent, servant, attorney or employee owning or operating the motor vehicle is protected by immunity under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act, Section 11-46-1 et seq.

(14) The powers conferred by this section shall be in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law, and nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit, or to prescribe conditions concerning, any practice or practices authorized under any other law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-73 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 7 / Section 33-73
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-73
Status: in_force

Any municipality in the state having a tax lien for special improvements or any other tax lien upon property located therein is hereby authorized, when the said property is offered for sale by the state and county for state and county taxes due thereon, to purchase at such tax sale the property upon which it holds said special improvement lien, and shall be authorized to pay the amount of its bid therefor.

Whenever property upon which any municipality in this state holds a lien has already been sold for state and county taxes, the municipality may redeem the tax sale the same as other lien holders in the state, and authority for municipalities to so thus redeem is hereby granted.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-25 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 5 / Section 29-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-25
Status: in_force

All expenses of the operation of the retirement system shall be paid out of the retirement reserve fund provided by Section 21-29-23 . The Public Employees' Retirement System is hereby authorized to deduct two percent (2%) of all income, exclusive of employee contributions, to be transferred to the expense fund of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi to defray the costs of administering the fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-38-9 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 35 / Section 38-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-38-9
Status: in_force

Any ordinance to incorporate real property into the corporate boundaries of a municipality under this chapter shall include the following provisions and shall be effective as follows:

(a) The ordinance shall accurately describe the metes and bounds of the real property to be incorporated, and only real property acquired or leased from the United States under this chapter shall be subject to such incorporation.

(b) If the United States retains ownership of the real property to be incorporated by the municipality, the United States must consent to the incorporation and a written statement of such consent must be cited and included in the ordinance.

(c) The ordinance shall provide that it will not become effective until publication thereof shall have been made once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper, or newspapers, published or having a general circulation in the county in which the municipality and the real property to be incorporated are located.

(d) Subject only to the limitations of this chapter, the ordinance shall become effective upon the effective date fixed therein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-13 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 25 / Section 33-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-13
Status: in_force

The clerk, or tax collector, of every municipality shall copy from the roll or schedule filed with the clerk of the board of supervisors by the state tax commission the assessment of private car companies, and he shall determine the amount by taking the number of miles of each railroad over which the cars of any company, traveled through the respective municipalities, and the number of miles of each railroad over which the cars of any such company traveled which lies in any separate, adjacent, annexed territory constituting with a municipality a separate school district. He shall copy the assessed value per mile of each company over any railroad or railroads, operating through such municipality and separate, adjacent, annexed territory, and shall determine the assessment of each company by multiplying the valuation of each company apportioned to each mile of railroad by the number of miles of railroad over which the cars of any such company have traveled lying in such municipality or separate, adjacent, annexed territory. The assessment so determined, plus the value of any other property assessed, shall constitute the assessment of the property of the respective companies within the municipality and in the separate, adjacent, annexed territory constituting a separate school district. All such copies and assessments made as herein provided shall be placed in the hands of the municipal tax collector and be his warrant for the collection of municipal and separate school district taxes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-101 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 5 / Section 29-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-101
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this section, in every city of the State of Mississippi having a population of ten thousand (10,000) or more, according to the last federal census, or any subsequent federal census, and in which there is a paid police department and/or fire department, it shall be the duty of the governing authorities of said municipality to create and maintain a fund known as the “disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen,” hereafter to be known as “said fund,” which shall be maintained for the benefit of the persons hereinafter named, and shall be derived, raised and administered in the manner provided in this article, except no such fund known as the “disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen” shall be created by any municipality after March 1, 1976, unless approved by an amendment to this article by the Legislature of the State of Mississippi. Further, no new members may be joined by the fund after July 1, 1987, and all new employees of the police department and/or fire department of any municipality having such funds shall become members of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi after July 1, 1987.

Any reference in other sections of this article to members of the fire or police department shall be defined to include only the members of the disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen of the municipality. The fund for each municipality shall be separately administered.

This section and Sections 21-29-103 through 21-29-151 shall not apply to any municipality wherein the qualified electors of such municipality shall have elected on or before August 6, 1940, pursuant to the then applicable law, not to have such municipality come within the provisions of Sections 21-29-101 to 21-29-151 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-31-53 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 8 / Section 31-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-31-53
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The members of the civil service commission shall be appointed by the city commission, shall be three (3) in number, and shall serve without compensation; however, the governing authority of any municipality having a population of not less than one hundred thousand (100,000) according to the federal census of 1960 may, in its discretion, pay each of the members of said commission a sum not to exceed Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per month to compensate them for their services, and the governing authorities of any other municipality, in their discretion, may pay each of the members of the commission a sum not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per month to compensate them for their services. No person shall be appointed a member of such commission who is not a citizen of the United States, a resident of such city for at least five (5) years immediately preceding such appointment, and an elector of the county wherein he resides. The terms of office of such commissioners shall be for six (6) years, except that the first three (3) members shall be appointed for different terms as follows: one (1) to serve a period of two (2) years, one (1) to serve a period of four (4) years, and one (1) to serve a period of six (6) years.

(b) From and after May 18, 1988, the effective date of Chapter 535, 1988 Regular Session, the governing authorities of any municipality organized under the provisions of Chapter 8, Title 21, Mississippi Code of 1972 , in which a civil service commission is created pursuant to Sections 21-31-51 through 21-31-75 , may increase the members of the commission to the same number of wards into which the municipality is divided and, if the commission is so expanded, the governing authorities shall appoint one (1) member of the commission from each ward. The commissioners shall serve without compensation; however, the governing authority of any municipality having a population of not less than one hundred thousand (100,000) according to the federal census of 1960 may, in its discretion, pay each of the members of the commission a sum not to exceed Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per month to compensate them for their services, and the governing authorities of any other municipality, in their discretion, may pay each of the members of the commission a sum not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per month to compensate them for their services. No person shall be appointed a member of such commission who is not a citizen of the United States, a resident of the municipality for at least five (5) years immediately preceding such appointment, and an elector of the county wherein he resides. When making initial appointments under this paragraph (b), the governing authorities may stagger the terms of such appointees provided that no initial appointment is made for a period of less than one (1) year nor more than six (6) years; thereafter, all appointments shall be for terms of six (6) years. Appointment of members of the commission by the governing authorities under this paragraph (b) shall be made by the mayor with the confirmation of an affirmative vote of a majority of the city council present and voting at any meeting.

(c) From and after July 1, 1994, the governing authorities of any municipality described in Section 21-31-51(2)(b) , in which a civil service commission is created pursuant to Sections 21-31-51 through 21-31-75 , may increase the membership of the commission to five (5), with one (1) member appointed by the governing authorities from each ward and one (1) appointed from the municipality at large. The governing authorities of the municipality may, in their discretion, pay each of the members of the commission a sum not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per month. No person shall be appointed a member of such commission who is not a citizen of the United States, a resident of the municipality for at least five (5) years immediately preceding such appointment, and an elector of the county wherein he resides. When making initial appointments under this paragraph (c), the governing authorities may stagger the terms of such appointees provided that no initial appointment is made for a period of less than one (1) year nor more than six (6) years; thereafter, all appointments shall be for terms of six (6) years.

(2) Any member of such commission may be removed from office for incompetency, incompatibility, dereliction of duty or other good cause, by the appointing power. However, no member shall be removed until charges have been preferred in writing and a full hearing before the appointing power. Any member being removed shall have the right of appeal, any time within thirty (30) days thereafter, to the circuit court and may demand a jury; such trial shall be confined to the determination of whether the order of removal made by the appointing power was, or was not, made in good faith and for cause.

(3) A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-255.nr2 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 21 / Section 29-255.nr2
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-255.nr2
Status: in_force

(1) If any member of the fire or police department dies in active service, or dies in inactive service on account of disability approved for disability relief under Section 21-29-241 , as a result of injury received while in the discharge of duty in the service of the fire department or police department, or dies as a result of sickness or disease, due to the discharge of duty while in service as a member of the fire or police department, or if the member dies while entitled to relief after retirement under Section 21-29-245 , the amount of disability relief or retirement relief being paid, or which should have been properly paid, shall continue to be paid from the fund to the spouse of the deceased member for life for the use of the spouse and the child or children of the deceased member. If the deceased member is not survived by a spouse, but there remains a child or children of the deceased member, the payments shall continue to be made to a parent or lawful custodian of the child or children without the necessity of appointment as guardian for the benefit of the child or children. After the death of the spouse, all payments to the spouse shall cease, and after the death of any child or children of the deceased member, all payments to the child or children shall cease. If the deceased member is not survived by a spouse or child or children, but is survived by a father or a mother dependent upon him or her, the payments shall continue to be made to the dependent father or mother, or both, so long as each lives, or if there is no dependent father or mother surviving the deceased member, the payments shall continue to be made to the unmarried dependent sister or sisters of the deceased member, so long as the beneficiary or beneficiaries remain unmarried. Upon the death or marriage of any such sister, all payments shall cease to her. Payments to dependents under this section are for services rendered to the members of the fire and/or police department, and the amount of payments is within the discretion of the board of disability and relief, but in no event shall the amount payable under this section be in excess of the amount that would have been payable as disability and relief to a member of the department.

If any member of the fire or police department dies while a member of the fire department or police department, and the member has had not less than five (5) years' service with the department, there shall be paid from the firemen's and policemen's disability and relief fund the following benefits:

(a) For each year's active service, not to exceed a period of twenty (20) years, one-fortieth ( 1 / 40 ) of the average monthly salary or compensation received by the member in the six-month period next preceding his or her death; and

(b) For each full year of active service in excess of twenty (20) years service, an additional payment in a sum equal to one and seven-tenths percent (1- 7 / 10 %) of the same average monthly base salary and longevity pay received by the member in the six-month period next preceding his or her death (provided that no such payment shall exceed sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66- 2 / 3 %) of the average monthly base salary and longevity pay received by a member for the six-month period next preceding his or her death) to the spouse of the deceased member for the use of the spouse and the child or children of the deceased member, so long as the spouse lives and if, after the death of the spouse, there remains a child or children of the deceased member, the payments shall continue to be made to a parent or lawful custodian of the child or children without the necessity of appointment as guardian for the benefit of the child or children. After the death of the spouse, all payments to the spouse shall cease, and after the death of any child or children of the deceased member, all payments to the child or children shall cease. If the deceased member is not survived by spouse or child or children, but is survived by a father, mother or an unmarried sister dependent upon him or her, the payments shall continue to be made to the dependent father or mother or both, so long as each lives, or if there is no dependent father or mother surviving the deceased member, the payments shall continue to be made to the dependent sister or sisters of the deceased, or dependent incurable children, so long as the beneficiary or beneficiaries remains unmarried. Upon the death or marriage of any such sisters, all payments shall cease to her.

(2) For the purposes of this section:

(a) “ Dependent ” means wholly dependent.

(b) “ Child ” or “ children ” means:

(i) Children of the deceased member under the age of eighteen (18);

(ii) Children of the deceased member eighteen (18) years of age or older who have not yet reached their twenty-third birthday and are pursuing a full-time education; or

(iii) Children of the deceased member who, though eighteen (18) years of age or older, are wholly dependent upon the deceased and incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical disability.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-51 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 29 / Section 33-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-51
Status: in_force

The tax collector shall give to everyone paying taxes a signed receipt, dated, numbered and filled in so as to show by whom, and on what, taxes were paid, and conforming to the requirements of Section 21-33-49 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-221 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 7 / Section 27-221
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-221
Status: in_force

(1) Any person aggrieved by the final decision of any duly designated hearing officer appointed by the board or commission as a result of any hearing held under the provisions of Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221 may, within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notice of the action of the hearing officer, appeal such final decision to the full board or commission, as the case may be, by filing therewith a written notice of appeal. No cost bond or other security shall be required to perfect such appeal. The hearing officer shall forthwith prepare and submit to the board or commission the record made at the hearing, which shall thereupon become the record of the cause. Appeals to the board or commission shall be considered only upon the record made before the hearing officer. The board or commission shall review all findings of fact and conclusions of law of the hearing officer, together with any penalties levied, and may affirm, modify or reverse and remand the decision of the hearing officer, as may be determined to be necessary or appropriate. Appeals from the final decision of the board or commission shall be perfected as hereinafter provided.

(2) Any person aggrieved by the final decision of the board or commission as a result of any hearing held under the provisions of Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221 , including hearings requested incidental to the issuance, denial, modification or revocation of any operator certification issued hereunder, may, within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notice of the action of the board or commission, appeal such final decision to the chancery court of the county of the situs in whole or in part of the subject matter by giving a cost bond with sufficient sureties, payable to the state in the sum of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), to be fixed by the board or commission and to be filed with and approved by the chief administrative officer of the appropriate agency, who shall forthwith certify the same together with a certified copy of the record made before the board or commission or designated hearing officer in the matter to the chancery court to which the appeal is taken, which shall thereupon become the record of the cause. An appeal to the chancery court as provided herein shall not stay the decision of the board or commission. The aggrieved party may, within such thirty (30) days, petition the said chancery court for an appeal with supersedeas and the chancellor shall grant a hearing on said petition and upon good cause shown may grant such appeal with supersedeas; the appellant shall be required to post a supersedeas bond with sufficient sureties according to law in an amount to be determined by the chancellor. Appeals shall be considered only upon the record as made before the board or commission. The chancery court shall always be deemed open for hearing of such appeals and the chancellor may hear the same in termtime or in vacation at any place in his district, and the same shall have precedence over all civil cases, except election contests. The chancery court shall review all questions of law and of fact. If no prejudicial error be found, the matter shall be affirmed. If prejudicial error be found, the same shall be reversed, and the chancery court shall remand the matter to the board or commission for appropriate action as may be indicated or necessary under the circumstances. Appeals may be taken from the chancery court to the Supreme Court in the manner as now required by law, except that if a supersedeas is desired by the party appealing to the chancery court, he may apply therefor to the chancellor thereof, who shall award a writ of supersedeas, without additional bond, if in his judgment material damage is not likely to result thereby; but otherwise, he shall require such supersedeas bond as he deems proper, which shall be payable to the state for damage.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-9-63 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 8 / Section 9-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-9-63
Status: in_force

The salary of the mayor, councilmen and all officers and assistants holding any office created by this chapter or by ordinance shall be paid in monthly installments on the first business day of each month, and the salaries or wages of all other employees of such city shall be paid at such periods as may be fixed by the council. No salaries or wages shall be paid to any officer or employee of such city until after the same shall have been earned.

Every officer or assistant, other than the mayor and councilmen, shall receive such salary or compensation as the council shall by ordinance, provide, and the salary compensation of all other employees of such city shall be fixed by the council from time to time, as occasion may demand.

The city council of any city operating under the provisions of this chapter shall have the power and authority to provide for and pay to any member of the police department or fire department of such city additional compensation for services and duties performed by any such member over and above the usual and regular number of days and hours per week or month ordinarily worked by such member. Any additional compensation so paid shall be computed on the basis of the compensation regularly paid to such members of the police or fire department. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to relieve any such member of the police department or fire department from being subject to call for duty on a twenty-four hour basis whether or not additional compensation is paid.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-69 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 13 / Section 27-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-69
Status: repealed

The repeal heretofore of any law authorizing a municipality to borrow money and issue bonds to acquire or improve any system shall not affect the validity of any bonds issued or contracts entered into under the provisions of any such repealed laws.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-17 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 3 / Section 27-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-17
Status: in_force

The commission provided for by Section 21-27-13 is authorized to make such bylaws for the holding and conduct of its meetings and such other regulations as it may deem necessary for the safe, economic and efficient management and protection of the system or systems, and such bylaws and regulations shall have the same validity as an ordinance duly passed by the governing authorities of any municipality.

It is authorized to elect such officers and appoint such employees as may be necessary to operate the system or systems efficiently, and it shall have the entire control and management of such system or systems, together with all property connected or appertaining in any manner to such system or systems. The commission shall have the authority to employ a superintendent or manager of the systems, who shall have actual charge of the management and operation thereof and of the enforcement and execution of all the rules, regulations, programs, plans and decisions made and adopted by the commission in making purchases for materials and supplies to be used in the operation of the systems. In addition to any other purchasing authority granted by law, the commission may purchase electric transmission line materials, electric distribution system substation equipment, transformer equipment, and all other appliances, apparatus, machinery, equipment and appurtenances necessary for the sale of electricity, such as utility vehicles and fencing, from the surplus inventory of the Tennessee Valley Authority or any other similar agency of the federal government and electric power associations. These purchases shall be exempt from the public bid requirements prescribed in Sections 31-7-12 and 31-7-13 . However, for all other purchases, the commission shall advertise for competitive bids in the manner and form as is required in accordance with Section 31-7-13 . The superintendent or manager shall make and keep full and proper books and records of all purchases and shall submit them to the commission for its approval and ratification before payment thereof is authorized to be made. The commission may authorize the superintendent or manager to immediately refund to a customer of the municipally owned utility his or her deposit for municipal utility services after the superintendent or manager has determined that payment for all services and any other obligations which the customer may have incurred in regard to the municipal utility has been made. It shall have the right to fix the salaries and term of office of all employees and to direct them in the discharge of their duties. It shall have the right to require good and sufficient bonds from all officers and employees in such amounts as it may deem proper. It shall have the right to discharge employees when found inefficient or for other good cause. It shall have the power to make and collect rates for services and facilities, and appropriate funds for the maintenance and improvements of such systems. It is authorized to borrow from the Mississippi Development Bank in order to fund advance purchases of energy for gas producing, generating, transmission or distribution system or its electric generating, transmission or distribution system. It is authorized to insure all property used in the operation of such systems, including buildings, furniture, books and records, against loss by fire and tornado, and to carry sufficient amount of employers liability, steam boiler, plate glass and other miscellaneous casualty insurance, as in the discretion of the commission may be deemed proper, and to pay premiums therefor out of the funds derived from the operation of the systems. It shall report quarterly to the governing authorities of the municipality of all its doings and transactions of every kind whatsoever and shall make a complete statement of the financial condition of the systems at the end of each quarter, and shall annually make a detailed statement covering the entire management and operation of the systems, with any recommendations which it may have for the further development of the systems. At any time, the commission, by order or resolution, may authorize the expansion of activities of any component facility to include processing of materials on a custom basis or the processing and marketing of materials acquired to fully and efficiently utilize existing plant capacity. It shall also provide copies of all such quarterly and annual reports and statements to the Public Service Commission when so directed under Section 77-3-6 .

The commission provided for by Section 21-27-13 is also authorized to allow a municipally owned utility to prepay the utility's bills to those electricity suppliers which offer early payment discounts to the municipally owned utility.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-25-5 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 25 / Section 25-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-25-5
Status: in_force

The fire departments, including the apparatus and all vehicles of such departments, are hereby authorized to use the roads, highways, streets and alleys outside the corporate limits of such municipalities owning and operating such fire fighting and fire prevention equipment, for the purpose of aiding in the extinguishing and prevention of fires or in the alleviating of damages or injuries caused by tornadoes or other casualties in locations outside the corporate limits of such municipalities. For the purpose of expediting the extinguishment or prevention of fires and of aiding in the rescue of persons or preventing other damage to either persons or property in such locations outside the corporate limits of such municipalities or in cities, towns, or villages located and situated beyond the corporate limits of such municipalities owning such equipment, such fire departments are hereby extended the right of way, or priority in use, over the public roads, highways, streets and alleys of the state and counties whether such roads, highways, streets or alleys are maintained by the state, counties, cities, towns, or villages.

To further effectuate and put into force and effect the purposes of this section, such municipalities owning and operating said equipment are hereby declared free of any liability on account of injury to persons or damage to property in going to and from such locations outside the corporate limits when engaged in the extinguishing and prevention of fires or in the alleviating of damages or injuries caused by tornadoes or other casualties, it being the purpose of this section that such municipalities aiding other municipalities or residents of the State of Mississippi located outside the corporate limits of such municipalities shall be entitled to all the benefits and immunities, both from civil and criminal prosecution, as are now enjoyed by such municipalities within their own respective corporate limits. This section shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-117 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 3 / Section 29-117
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-117
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided for in subsection (2) of this section, the governing authority of said municipality, at the time the levy is made for other municipal taxes, shall annually levy a tax on the taxable property within the said municipality, and the proceeds therefrom shall be forwarded on or before the twentieth of the following month to the Public Employees' Retirement System. The levy made, and the deductions from the salaries of members, shall be in an amount sufficient, but not more than the amount necessary, to make the system actuarially sound by July 1, 2000, as certified to the municipality by the board. Such tax shall be in addition to any limits set forth in Sections 27-39-301 through 27-39-311 , and shall not be included in the ten percent (10%) limitation on increases under Section 27-39-321 , nor shall any tax increase exceed one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill per year; however, if any levy to pay debt service on bonds issued under Section 31-25-21 as described in subsection (2) of this section is reduced for any year as a result of payment of the bonds or otherwise, the levy under this subsection (1) for such year may be increased by an amount, in addition to the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill otherwise authorized, not to exceed the reduction for such year in the millage levied to pay debt service on the bonds.

(2) In addition to, or in lieu of, the method of funding provided for in subsection (1) of this section, the municipality may fund or assist in funding the retirement system through the use of revenue bonds issued pursuant to Section 31-25-21 . Any tax levied to service the debt on such bonds shall not be included in the ten percent (10%) limitation on increases under Section 27-39-321 .

(3) In addition, all gifts and donations made by any persons or corporations or by other appropriate levy, and all funds which the municipality may receive from insurance companies as provided for in this article shall be placed in said fund.

(4) In addition, such municipality shall each month deduct from the salary of each member of the disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen not less than seven percent (7%) nor more than ten percent (10%) of the amount thereof and put the amount deducted into said fund. Any increase to an amount in excess of seven percent (7%) shall be in increments of not more than one percent (1%) per annum. No increase from the deduction of seven percent (7%) shall be made unless the board determines that the avails of the tax levy of three (3) mills, when combined with the avails of the deduction of seven percent (7%), is insufficient to keep the system actuarially sound.

(5) The Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System, when any municipality has enacted an enabling ordinance as provided in Sections 21-29-5 and 21-29-101 , upon a finding that either the municipal employees' retirement system or the disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen is not funded in an actuarially sound manner which is spread upon the minutes of the board, may by order provide that the revenue or a portion thereof produced by the levy authorized for one system be diverted to fund the less actuarially sound system within the same municipality. No transfer may be made of funds from one municipality to another.

(6) The municipality and the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System may enter into such contracts and agreements as are deemed necessary to implement the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, contracts and agreements addressing the use, application and investment of proceeds of bonds issued under Section 31-25-21 and earnings thereon and the relative rights and obligations of the municipality and the Public Employees' Retirement System during the period that the bonds are outstanding and thereafter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-317 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 9 / Section 29-317
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-317
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of Articles 1, 3 and 5 of this chapter to the contrary, the maximum annual retirement allowance attributable to the employer contributions payable by the system to a member under Article 1, 3 or 5 of this chapter shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code and any regulations issued thereunder as applicable to governmental plans as the term is defined under Section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code .

(b) The Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System is authorized to provide by rule or regulation for the payment of benefits as provided under Articles 1, 3 and 5 of this chapter to members or beneficiaries of a municipal employees retirement fund or disability and relief fund at a time and under circumstances not otherwise provided for in this chapter to the extent that the payment is required to maintain the municipal employees retirement fund or disability and relief fund as a qualified retirement plan for purposes of federal income tax laws.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this plan, all distributions from this plan shall conform to the regulations issued under Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code , applicable to governmental plans, as defined in Section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code , including the incidental death benefit provisions of Section 401(a)(9)(G) of the Internal Revenue Code . Further, such regulations shall override any plan provision that is inconsistent with Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code .

(3) The actuarial assumptions used to convert a retirement allowance from the normal form of payment to an optional form of payment shall be an appendix to Article 7 of this chapter and subject to approval by the board of directors based upon certification by the actuary.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this plan, the maximum compensation that can be considered for all plan purposes shall not be greater than that allowed under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code .

(5) In the event of the termination of one or more of the retirement plans established pursuant to Article 1, 3 or 5 of this chapter, all members of the plan or system as of the date of termination of the system shall be deemed to have a vested right to benefits to the extent and in the same manner that rights would be vested under the laws existing as of the date of termination of the system; however, any member, who because of a termination of the system has not fulfilled the requirements for length of service, shall be entitled to compensation as of the date that such member would otherwise be eligible, with such compensation to be computed on the basis of time actually a member of the service and compensation actually earned during the time a member, in the manner now provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-227 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 29 / Section 29-227
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-227
Status: in_force

The authority is vested in the board of trustees to invest such part of said fund as may not be immediately required, in investments authorized under Section 25-11-121 with the right to change said investment from time to time, and with the right and duty to convert invested funds into current funds as the same may be needed for the purposes of this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-149 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 15 / Section 29-149
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-149
Status: in_force

Should said fund at any time be insufficient to make all payments properly payable therefrom, the beneficiaries shall not file any suit against said city, its governing authorities, or said disability and relief board, but the amounts available shall be properly prorated until such time as funds may be sufficient to make all payments payable thereafter for the full amount properly allowed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-7-5 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-7-5
Status: in_force

The manner in which any municipality, within the class provided in Section 21-7-1 may change its form of government to the plan authorized herein, shall be as follows:

One or more petitions, similar in form and substance, addressed to the mayor praying that an election be held to determine whether or not such city shall abandon its existing form of government and become organized under a council form of government, signed by at least twenty per centum of the qualified electors of such city, shall be filed with the city clerk, who shall deal with the same as required with reference to other petitions.

If on the delivery of such petition to the mayor, it shall appear that such petition or petitions have not been signed by the required number of qualified electors of such city, the mayor shall at once certify such fact and immediately return such petition or petitions to the person or persons presenting the same, who may thereafter procure additional signers thereto and again file such petition or petitions with the city clerk, as above provided, as an original petition.

If it shall appear at any time from the certificate of the city clerk that said petition or petitions have been signed by the requisite number of qualified electors of said city, the mayor shall immediately refer the same to the board of aldermen. If it shall appear that said petition or petitions are in proper form and have been sufficiently signed by the qualified electors of such city, they shall, within thirty days, order, and provide, for the holding of a special election in such city, to be held, not less than thirty, nor more than sixty days, from the date of making such order, notice of which election shall be given, and the same shall be held and conducted as other elections in such city. At such special election the propositions to be voted for shall be: “FOR THE COUNCIL FORM OF GOVERNMENT” and “FOR THE PRESENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT,” which propositions shall be printed on the official ballot at such election. As soon as the return of such election shall have been certified by the persons holding the same, the board of aldermen shall at their next regular meeting, consider the same, and if a majority of the votes cast at such election, are in favor of the council form of government, then they shall enter an order providing for the election of a mayor, a vice-mayor and five other councilmen provided for under Section 21-7-7 , at an election to be held on the second Tuesday in December next before the expiration of the terms of the municipal officers then holding office. Thereupon the said petition or petitions, and all proceedings had thereon, including an order of the mayor and board of aldermen that the form of government will be changed on the first Monday of January following the expiration of their term of office, shall be recorded in the ordinance book of such city, which record shall be evidence of all the matters and things therein contained. The mayor of such city shall immediately certify to the secretary of state that such city by special election has adopted the system of government provided for herein, which certificate shall be recorded in a book kept for that purpose by the secretary of state. In case it shall appear by said election returns that a majority of the votes cast at such election were in favor of the existing form of government, then the board of aldermen shall dismiss the petition, in which case no similar petition shall be filed for a period of one year from the date of such order, but nothing short of such election shall preclude the filing of the petition at any time.

Any city which shall have operated for more than two years under the council form of government may abandon such form of government and return to the code charter form of government by substantially the same procedure through petitions and elections as herein provided for change to the council form of government. Such change, however, shall take effect on the first Monday of January following the expiration of the term of office of the members of the council then holding office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-37-55 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 37 / Section 37-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-37-55
Status: in_force

(1) A municipality with a population of one hundred thousand (100,000) or more according to the latest federal decennial census, may convey to its urban renewal agency, for a nominal price, land in a slum area, blighted area or urban renewal area to which it holds title.

(2) As used in this section:

(a) “ Urban renewal agency ” means an urban renewal agency created under Section 43-35-33 .

(b) “Slum area,” “blighted area” and “urban renewal area” have the meaning ascribed to such terms in Section 43-35-3 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-45-17 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 41 / Section 45-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-45-17
Status: in_force

The bonds authorized by this chapter and the income therefrom and all security agreements and mortgages executed as security therefor made pursuant to the provisions hereof, and the revenues derived therefrom, shall be exempt from all income taxation in the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-173 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 1 / Section 27-173
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-173
Status: in_force

Payments by a public agency to the municipality for waste collection, transportation, treatment and sewage disposal services and facilities may be made from the income of the public agency's waterworks system or water supply system or its sewerage system, treatment facilities or sewage disposal system or of both such systems or of its combined waterworks, water supply, treatment facilities, sewerage and sewage disposal systems, as may be prescribed in the contract between the municipality and the public agency, or as otherwise authorized by law. Such payments shall constitute an operating expense of the system or systems whose revenues are thus to be applied. Payments to be made under the contract by the public agency from the income of its waterworks system, water supply system, treatment facility, sewerage system or sewage disposal system or both such systems or its combined waterworks, water supply, treatment facility, sewerage and sewage disposal systems shall be subordinate to amounts required to be paid from the net revenues of such systems for principal of and interest on bonds of the public agency which are outstanding at the time of the making of the contract and which are payable solely from such net revenues unless the ordinance or resolution authorizing such outstanding bonds of the public agency expressly reserves the right to accord such contract payments a priority over such public agency's bond requirements. No provision of Sections 21-27-161 through 21-27-191 shall be construed to prohibit any public agency, otherwise permitted by law to issue bonds, from issuing bonds in the manner provided by law for the construction, renovation, repair or development of waste disposal facilities within the jurisdictional limits of the public agency. Except to the extent provided in Section 21-27-175 , neither the municipality nor the holder of any bonds of the municipality shall have the right to demand payment of the public agency's obligation out of any funds raised or to be raised by taxation, but such contracts shall constitute an obligation of the public agency and shall be binding upon such public agency according to its terms and shall continue in effect until all bonds specified therein and refunding bonds issued in lieu of such bonds and all other obligations thereunder shall have been paid. Payments made or to be made to a municipality by a public agency or other person pursuant to a contract for waste collection, transportation, treatment and sewage disposal services and facilities shall be determined by the method specified in the contract and shall not be subject to approval or review by the public service commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-17-7 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-17-7
Status: in_force

The governing authorities of municipalities shall have the power to appropriate the funds thereof for the current expenses of the municipality in the manner provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-9 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 25 / Section 29-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-9
Status: in_force

The Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi is hereby constituted a board, which shall be known as the Board of the General Retirement System of __________.

The governing body of a municipality may appoint a board of not more than five (5) members who shall be representative of the membership of the retirement system. Such board shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-25 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 9 / Section 27-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-25
Status: in_force

Any municipality which owns or operates any system, shall have the power and authority through its utilities commission to borrow money and issue its negotiable notes or certificates of indebtedness therefor, in an amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the gross revenues of the system in the last preceding fiscal year, in any calendar year, for the purpose of improving, repairing or extending any such system, or of stockpiling fuel for any such system, or systems, without the necessity of calling and holding an election upon such question or otherwise obtaining the consent of the qualified electors of the municipality, or giving any notice thereof. However, the utilities commission shall secure approval of the governing authorities of the municipality. In all cases where money is borrowed under the provisions of this section, the same shall be repaid within three (3) years and at no time shall the amount of money borrowed under this section exceed thirty percent (30%) of the gross revenues of the system for the last preceding fiscal year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-323 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 3 / Section 29-323
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-323
Status: in_force

Monthly benefits payable to a spouse in the event of the death of a member before retirement or a retiree after retirement shall be divided and paid to or for the benefit of any dependent children of the deceased member or retiree in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the annual benefit payable to one (1) dependent child, twenty percent (20%) for two (2) dependent children, and thirty percent (30%) to three (3) or more dependent children. If there are more than three (3) dependent children, upon a child ceasing to be a dependent, his annuity shall terminate and there shall be a redetermination of the amounts payable to any remaining dependent children. Such benefits shall be paid to a surviving parent or lawful custodian of such children for the use and benefit of the children without the necessity of appointment of guardian. The remaining amount shall be paid to the spouse as otherwise provided.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-309 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 29 / Section 33-309
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-309
Status: in_force

The election provided for by Section 21-33-307 shall be held, as far as is practicable, in the same manner as other elections are held in municipalities. At such election, all qualified electors of such municipality may vote. The ballots used at such election shall have printed thereon a brief statement of the amount and purpose of the proposed bond issue and the words “FOR THE BOND ISSUE” and “AGAINST THE BOND ISSUE,” and the voter shall vote by placing a cross (X) or check mark (✓) opposite his choice on the proposition.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-43-11 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 43 / Section 43-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-43-11
Status: in_force

Whenever a hearing is held under this chapter, the governing authority of any municipality shall hear all protests and receive evidence for or against the proposed action; rule upon all protests which determination shall be final; and may continue the hearing from time to time. Proceedings shall terminate if protest is made by businesses in the proposed area which pay a majority of the taxes within the area under the general business privilege license tax.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-23-12 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 13 / Section 23-12
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-23-12
Status: in_force

(1) Every person appointed as clerk of the municipal court shall be required annually to attend and complete a comprehensive course of training and education conducted or approved by the Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center. Attendance shall be required beginning with the first training seminar conducted after said clerk is appointed.

(2) The Mississippi Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center shall prepare and conduct a course of training and education for municipal court clerks of the state. The course shall consist of at least twelve (12) hours of training per year. After completion of the first year's requirement, a maximum of six (6) hours training, over and above the required twelve (12) hours, may be carried forward from the previous year. The content of the course of training and when and where it is to be conducted shall be determined by the judicial college. A certificate of completion shall be furnished to those municipal court clerks who complete such course, and each certificate shall be made a permanent record of the minutes of the board of aldermen or city council in the municipality from which the municipal clerk is appointed.

(3) Upon the failure of any person appointed as clerk of the municipal court to file the certificate of completion as provided in subsection (2) of this section, within the first year of appointment, such person shall then not be allowed to carry out any of the duties of the office of clerk of the municipal court and shall not be entitled to compensation for the period of time during which such certificate remains unfiled.

(4) After August 1, 2015, and each year thereafter, the Administrative Office of Courts shall notify the judicial college of the name of any municipal court clerk who has not complied with the requirements of Section 9-1-46 . The Mississippi Judicial College shall not provide such clerk with a certificate of completion of course work until such time that the Administrative Office of Courts has reported that the clerk is in compliance with the requirements of Section 9-1-46 . Further, the Administrative Office of Courts shall report the names of all noncompliant clerks to the State Auditor and to the mayor of the municipality that employs the clerk.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-259 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 17 / Section 29-259
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-259
Status: in_force

Should said fund at any time be insufficient to make all payments properly payable therefrom, the beneficiaries shall not file any suit against said city, its governing authorities, or said disability and relief board, but the amounts available shall be properly prorated until such time as funds may be sufficient to make all payments thereafter for the full amount properly allowed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-43-105 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 37 / Section 43-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-43-105
Status: in_force

For the purposes of Sections 21-43-101 through 21-43-133 the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context shall otherwise require:

(a) “District” means a business improvement district established pursuant to Sections 21-43-101 through 21-43-133 .

(b) “District management group” means an established and independent Mississippi non-profit corporation and may also include a local Chamber of Commerce, a downtown development corporation, a Main Street Project or a department of a local municipality as determined solely by a simple majority of the property owners included in the district.

(c) “District plan” means a set of goals and strategies as collectively determined by a majority of the property owners included in the district and as incorporated within Sections 21-43-101 through 21-43-133 .

(d) “Improvements” means any capital project constructed within the public areas, with the approval of the municipality, for any business improvement district or services established under Sections 21-43-101 through 21-43-133 to improve the appearance or economic functioning of property located within the district including, but not limited to:

(i) Parks and related facilities;

(ii) Sidewalks, street curbing, street medians, planting areas, underground utilities, lighting standards or fountains;

(iii) Trees, shrubs, flowers or other vegetation;

(iv) Security services which may include assistance to public law enforcement through employment of private security personnel and the purchase of equipment or technology;

(v) Economic development services and assistance including, but not limited to, promotion of business, retail or industrial development developer recruitment, business recruitment, business marketing and business retention;

(vi) Parking management;

(vii) Street and sidewalk cleaning;

(viii) Recreational and/or cultural activities;

(ix) Training programs for employees of businesses within the district;

(x) Any other services, events or activities which will enhance the economic prosperity, enjoyment, appearance, image and safety of the district;

(xi) Refuse collection and disposal services;

(xii) The production and marketing of special events and festivals;

(xiii) Management of public facilities;

(xiv) Fire prevention services;

(xv) Water and sewer system enhancement;

(xvi) Drainage enhancements;

(xvii) Signage installation and removal;

(xviii) Planning studies;

(xix) Marketing studies;

(xx) Tourism development services; and

(xxi) Collective community child care centers.

(e) “Property owner” means that person or persons, entity or entities possessing a majority of the ownership interest in a piece of taxable real property.

(f) “Tax exempt properties” means properties which are exempt from certain real property taxes pursuant to Section 27-31-1 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-11 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 9 / Section 27-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-11
Status: in_force

Whenever used in Sections 21-27-11 through 21-27-69 :

(a) The term “ municipality ” includes any incorporated city, town or village of the State of Mississippi, whether incorporated under a special charter or under the general laws of the State of Mississippi governing municipalities, and operating under any form of municipal government. However, for the purpose of establishing a motor vehicle transportation system for the transportation of passengers within the boundaries of the governmental unit or units concerned, and within three (3) miles thereof, the word “municipality” is defined to include counties and groups of municipalities and shall allow those governmental units to establish a commission as provided in Section 21-27-13 and exercise the powers granted in Sections 21-27-11 through 21-27-69 . Each county or municipality joining together shall be allowed at least one (1) commissioner representing that governing authority. For the purpose of establishing a railroad transportation system for passengers and freight, the term “ municipality ” includes any county bordering the Mississippi River and in which Highways 49 and 61 intersect, and such county may exercise the powers granted in Sections 21-27-11 through 21-27-69 ;

(b) The term “ system ” includes waterworks system, water supply system, sewage system, sewage disposal system, or any combination thereof, including any combined waterworks and sewage system, consisting of an existing waterworks system or water supply system or both, combined with an existing sewage system or sewage disposal system or both, or consisting of an existing waterworks system or water supply system or both, combined with a sewage system or sewage disposal system or both, to be acquired, (as defined herein), or consisting of an existing sewage system or sewage disposal system or both, combined with a waterworks system or water supply system or both, to be acquired, (as defined herein), gas producing system, gas generating system, gas transmission system or gas distribution system, or any one (1) or all thereof, electric generating, transmission, or distribution system, garbage disposal system, rubbish disposal system, and incinerators, and all parts and appurtenances thereof. The term “ system ” also includes a motor vehicle transportation system for the transportation of passengers within the city limits and within three (3) miles thereof. The term “ system ” also includes a railroad transportation system of any municipality located within a county bordering the Mississippi River and in which Highways 49 and 61 intersect for the transportation of passengers and freight regardless of the amount of area outside the jurisdictional limits of such municipality for which the system provides service; the railroad transportation system may be located partially outside the boundaries of the county. The term “ system ” also includes a motor vehicle transportation system for the transportation of passengers of any municipality with a population of more than forty-five thousand (45,000) but less than forty-five thousand one hundred (45,100) according to the 1970 federal decennial census regardless of the amount of area outside the city limits of such municipality for which the system provides service. Wherever in Sections 21-27-11 through 21-27-69 any one or more of the systems authorized under this section are referred to, the same shall include motor vehicle transportation systems. The term “ system ” also includes any franchise held by the owner thereof and shall also include operations within the capabilities of any component facility within the system which reasonably utilize the public resources;

(c) The term “ improvement ” includes repair, betterment, enlargement, extension and other improvements to a system;

(d) The term “ acquire ” includes construct, purchase, gift, exercise of power of eminent domain and other methods by which a municipality may acquire a system;

(e) The term “ improve ” includes repair, better, enlarge, extend and other methods of improving a system;

(f) The term “ ordinance ” includes ordinance, resolution or other appropriate legislative enactment of the governing authorities of any municipality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-3 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 15 / Section 33-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-3
Status: in_force

The state tax commission shall annually prepare forms for the personal property assessment rolls, and each two years, or annually as required, prepare forms for the real property assessment rolls. The forms so prescribed shall be printed, ruled, and headed as to be suitable for their respective purposes and to enable the municipal officers to comply with the tax laws of this state applicable to municipalities. A sample of the forms for the real and personal assessment rolls shall be sent by mail to the mayor and to the clerk of every municipality not later than the first day of October of each year.

The forms shall be so made that the respective municipalities may require such additional information, make such additions and add such further details as permitted by Sections 21-33-1 through 21-33-85 , but the general and basic arrangement of such forms shall not be changed.

The municipal authorities shall furnish their respective officers with a sufficient quantity of each of said forms, and may purchase the same or have them printed, as provided by law.

It is the purpose of this section that municipal forms relating to assessment and taxes be generally uniform throughout the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-19-11 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 3 / Section 19-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-19-11
Status: in_force

(1) To determine whether property or parcel of land located within a municipality is in such a state of uncleanliness as to be a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community, a governing authority of any municipality shall conduct a hearing, on its own motion, or upon the receipt of a petition signed by a majority of the residents residing within four hundred (400) feet of any property or parcel of land alleged to be in need of the cleaning. Notice shall be provided to the property owner by:

(a) United States mail two (2) weeks before the date of the hearing mailed to the address of the subject property, except where the land or structure(s) is apparently vacant, and to the address where the ad valorem tax notice for such property is sent by the office charged with collecting ad valorem tax; and

(b) Posting notice for at least two (2) weeks before the date of a hearing on the property or parcel of land alleged to be in need of cleaning and at city hall or another place in the municipality where such notices are posted.

Any notice required by this section shall include language that informs the property owner that an adjudication at the hearing that the property or parcel of land is in need of cleaning will authorize the municipality to reenter the property or parcel of land for a period of two (2) years after final adjudication without any further hearing if notice is posted on the property or parcel of land and at city hall or another place in the municipality where such notices are generally posted at least seven (7) days before the property or parcel of land is reentered for cleaning. A copy of the required notice mailed and posted as required by this section shall be recorded in the minutes of the governing authority in conjunction with the hearing required by this section.

If, at such hearing, the governing authority shall adjudicate the property or parcel of land in its then condition to be a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community, the governing authority, if the owner does not do so himself, shall proceed to clean the land, by the use of municipal employees or by contract, by cutting grass and weeds; filling cisterns; securing abandoned or dilapidated buildings; removing rubbish, abandoned or dilapidated fences, outside toilets, abandoned or dilapidated buildings, slabs, personal property, which removal of personal property shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 21-39-21 , and other debris; and draining cesspools and standing water therefrom. The governing authority may by resolution adjudicate the actual cost of cleaning the property and may also impose a penalty not to exceed One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) or fifty percent (50%) of the actual cost, whichever is more. The cost and any penalty may become a civil debt against the property owner, and/or, at the option of the governing authority, an assessment against the property. The “ cost assessed against the property ” means either the cost to the municipality of using its own employees to do the work or the cost to the municipality of any contract executed by the municipality to have the work done, and administrative costs and legal costs of the municipality. For subsequent cleaning within the one-year period after the date of the hearing at which the property or parcel of land was adjudicated in need of cleaning, upon seven (7) days' notice posted both on the property or parcel of land adjudicated in need of cleaning and at city hall or another place in the municipality where such notices are generally posted, and consistent with the municipality's adjudication as authorized in this subsection (1), a municipality may reenter the property or parcel of land to maintain cleanliness without further notice or hearing no more than six (6) times in any twelve-month period with respect to removing or securing abandoned or dilapidated buildings, slabs, dilapidated fences and outside toilets, and no more than twelve (12) times in any twenty-four-month period with respect to cutting grass and weeds and removing rubbish, personal property and other debris on the land, and the expense of cleaning of the property, except as otherwise provided in this section for removal of hazardous substances, shall not exceed an aggregate amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) per year, or the fair market value of the property subsequent to cleaning, whichever is more. The aggregate cost of removing hazardous substances will be the actual cost of such removal to the municipality and shall not be subject to the cost limitations provided in this subsection. The governing authority may assess the same penalty for each time the property or land is cleaned as otherwise provided in this section. The penalty provided herein shall not be assessed against the State of Mississippi upon request for reimbursement under Section 29-1-145 , nor shall a municipality clean a parcel owned by the State of Mississippi without first giving notice. Upon written authority from the Secretary of State's office, for state-owned properties, a municipality may forgo the notification process that is prescribed in this subsection and proceed to clean the properties and assess costs as prescribed in this subsection, except that penalties shall not be assessed against the State of Mississippi.

(2) When the fee or cost to clean property or a parcel of land that is one (1) acre or less does not exceed Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), excluding administrative costs, and the property or parcel is located within a municipality having a population over one thousand five hundred (1,500), the governing authority of the municipality may authorize one or more of its employees to determine whether the property or parcel of land is in such a state of uncleanliness as to be a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community and the determination made by the authorized municipal employee shall be set forth and recorded in the minutes of the governing authority. Notice of this determination shall be provided to the property owner by:

(a) United States mail seven (7) days before the date of cleaning of the property or parcel of land mailed to the address of the subject property, except where the land or structure(s) is apparently vacant, and to the address where the ad valorem tax notice for such property is sent by the office charged with collecting ad valorem tax; and

(b) Posting notice for at least seven (7) days before the cleaning of the property or parcel of land and at city hall or another place in the municipality where such notices are posted.

Any notice required by this subsection shall include language that informs the property owner that the appropriate municipal official has determined that the property or parcel of land is a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community and in need of cleaning and the municipality is authorized to enter the property for cleaning and that the municipality is further authorized to reenter the property or parcel of land for a period of two (2) years after this cleaning without any further hearing or action if notice is posted on the property or parcel of land and at city hall or another place in the municipality where such notices are generally posted at least seven (7) days before the property or parcel of land is reentered for cleaning. A copy of the required notice mailed and posted as required by this subsection shall be recorded in the minutes of the governing authority in conjunction with the determination made by the municipal employee in this subsection (2).

If an authorized municipal employee determines that the condition of property or parcel of land is a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community, the governing authority, if the owner does not do so himself, shall proceed to clean the land, by the use of municipal employees or by contract, by cutting grass and weeds; filling cisterns; securing abandoned or dilapidated buildings; removing rubbish, abandoned or dilapidated fences, outside toilets, abandoned or dilapidated buildings, slabs, personal property, which removal of personal property shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 21-39-21 , and other debris; and draining cesspools and standing water therefrom. The governing authority shall by resolution adjudicate the actual cost of cleaning the property under this provision, provided the same does not exceed Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) and may also impose a penalty not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or one hundred percent (100%) of the actual cost of cleaning the property, whichever is more. The cost and any penalty imposed may become a civil debt against the property owner, and/or, at the option of the governing authority, an assessment against the property. The “ cost assessed against the property ” means either the cost to the municipality of using its own employees to do the work or the cost to the municipality of any contract executed by the municipality to have the work done, and additionally may include administrative costs of the municipality not to exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00). For subsequent cleaning within the one-year period set forth in this subsection (2), upon seven (7) days' notice posted both on the property or parcel of land adjudicated in need of cleaning and at city hall or another place in the municipality where such notices are generally posted, and consistent with the municipal official's determination as authorized in this subsection (2), a municipality may reenter the property or parcel of land to maintain cleanliness without further notice or hearing under this subsection (2) no more than six (6) times in any twelve-month period with respect to removing or securing abandoned or dilapidated buildings, slabs, dilapidated fences and outside toilets, and no more than twelve (12) times in any twenty-four-month period with respect to cutting grass and weeds and removing rubbish, personal property and other debris on the land, and the expense of cleaning of the property shall not exceed an aggregate amount of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per year under this subsection (2). The governing authority may assess the same actual costs, administrative costs and penalty for each time the property or land is cleaned as otherwise provided in this subsection (2). The penalty provided herein shall not be assessed against the State of Mississippi upon request for reimbursement under Section 29-1-145 , nor shall a municipality clean a parcel owned by the State of Mississippi without first giving notice. Upon written authority from the Secretary of State's office, for state-owned properties, a municipality may forgo the notification process that is prescribed in this subsection and proceed to clean the properties and assess costs as prescribed in this subsection, except that penalties shall not be assessed against the State of Mississippi. A determination made by an appropriate municipal employee under this subsection (2) that the state or condition of property or a parcel of land is a menace to the public health, safety and welfare of the community shall not subsequently be used to replace a hearing if subsection (1) of this section is later utilized by a municipality when the prerequisites of this subsection (2) are not satisfied.

(3) If the governing authority declares, by resolution, that the cost and any penalty shall be collected as a civil debt, the governing authority may authorize the institution of a suit on open account against the owner of the property in a court of competent jurisdiction in the manner provided by law for the cost and any penalty, plus court costs, reasonable attorney's fees and interest from the date that the property was cleaned.

(4)(a) If the governing authority declares that the cost and any penalty shall be collected as an assessment against the property, then the assessment above provided for shall be a lien against the property and may be enrolled in the office of the chancery clerk of the county as other liens and encumbrances are enrolled, and the tax collector of the municipality shall, upon order of the board of governing authorities, proceed to sell the land to satisfy the lien as now provided by law for the sale of lands for delinquent municipal taxes. The lien against the property shall be an encumbrance upon the property and shall follow title of the property.

(b)(i) All assessments levied under the provisions of this section shall be included with municipal ad valorem taxes and payment shall be enforced in the same manner in which payment is enforced for municipal ad valorem taxes, and all statutes regulating the collection of other taxes in a municipality shall apply to the enforcement and collection of the assessments levied under the provisions of this section, including utilization of the procedures authorized under Sections 17-13-9(2) and 27-41-2 .

(ii) All assessments levied under the provisions of this section shall become delinquent at the same time municipal ad valorem taxes become delinquent. Delinquencies shall be collected in the same manner and at the same time delinquent ad valorem taxes are collected and shall bear the same penalties as those provided for delinquent taxes. If the property is sold for the nonpayment of an assessment under this section, it shall be sold in the manner that property is sold for the nonpayment of delinquent ad valorem taxes. If the property is sold for delinquent ad valorem taxes, the assessment under this section shall be added to the delinquent tax and collected at the same time and in the same manner.

(5) All decisions rendered under the provisions of this section may be appealed in the same manner as other appeals from municipal boards or courts are taken. However, an appeal from a decision of a municipal officer or official shall be made to the governing authority and such appeal shall be in writing, state the basis for the appeal and be filed with the city clerk no later than seven (7) days from the latest date of notice required under this section.

(6) Nothing contained under this section shall prevent any municipality from enacting criminal penalties for failure to maintain property so as not to constitute a menace to public health, safety and welfare.

(7)(a) If private property or a parcel of land located within a municipality is a perpetual care cemetery subject to Section 41-43-1 et seq. , the governing authority of the municipality may proceed pursuant to the same provisions of this section used to determine whether a property is a public health menace to instead determine if the perpetual care cemetery and all structures on the cemetery are not being properly maintained and have become detrimental to the public health and welfare. A perpetual care cemetery that is “ not being properly maintained and has become detrimental to the public health and welfare ” means a perpetual care cemetery that shows signs of neglect, including, without limitation, the unchecked growth of vegetation, repeated and unchecked acts of vandalism, unusable entrances and exits, excess rubbish or debris, or the disintegration of grave markers or boundaries. Upon notice and opportunity to be heard as provided in subsection (1) of this section, the governing authority of the municipality may adjudicate the property or parcel of land in its then condition to be not properly maintained and detrimental to the public health and welfare, and if the owner does not do so itself, may proceed to clean the property or parcel of land as provided in subsection (1) of this section. When cleaning the property or parcel of land of a perpetual care cemetery pursuant to this subsection (7), the penalty or penalties provided in subsection (1) of this section shall not be assessed against owners of the perpetual care cemeteries.

(b) The governing authority of a municipality that cleans the property or parcel of land of a perpetual care cemetery pursuant to this subsection (7) may make application to the Secretary of State for an order directing the trustee of the perpetual care cemetery trust fund to release accrued interest or principal of the trust fund sufficient to reimburse the municipality for only the actual cleanup costs incurred by the municipality. The application to the Secretary of State shall include a statement by the municipality that all of the requirements of this section have been met.

(c) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that the notice and hearing requirements of this section have been met, and that the application for an order directing the trustee to release accrued interest of the perpetual care cemetery trust fund does not threaten the ability of the trust fund to provide for the care and maintenance of the cemetery, the Secretary of State may order the trustee to release accrued interest of the trust fund sufficient to reimburse the municipality for the actual costs of cleanup performed by the municipality.

(d) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that the notice and hearing requirements of this section have been met, but makes a determination that the accrued interest of the perpetual care cemetery trust fund is insufficient to reimburse the municipality for the actual costs of cleanup performed by the municipality, or that an order to release accrued interest would threaten the ability of the trust fund to provide for the care and maintenance of the cemetery, the Secretary of State may consider an order directing the trustee to reimburse the municipality from the principal of the trust fund. If the Secretary of State determines that an order to the trustee to release principal from the trust fund will not threaten the solvency of the trust fund, the Secretary of State may order the trustee to release principal of the trust fund in an amount sufficient to reimburse the municipality for the actual costs of cleanup performed by the municipality.

(i) The Secretary of State may not order the trustee to release an amount of more than fifteen percent (15%) of principal of the trust fund to reimburse the municipality for the actual costs of cleanup performed by the municipality.

(ii) The provisions of this section may be utilized no more than once in a four-year period.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-19 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 33 / Section 33-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-19
Status: in_force

The assessor shall make the personal roll at the same time and in the same manner that the land roll is made, except that it shall be made annually. He shall make a recapitulation thereof as is required for the land roll.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-105 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 19 / Section 29-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-105
Status: in_force

The Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi shall have operational and administrative control of the funds created herein.

In each municipality there shall be a board to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System with respect to matters concerning the disability and relief fund. Such board shall consist of five (5) members as follows: two (2) shall be elected by the membership of the police department, two (2) shall be elected by the membership of the fire department; and the mayor or his designee shall be an ex officio member. Retired members of the police department and fire department may participate in elections to choose members of the board, and such retired members are also eligible to serve on the board. The term of elected members shall be for four (4) years, and any vacancy in the elected membership shall be filled in the same manner as the original membership was selected.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-13-7 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-13-7
Status: in_force

The style of all municipal ordinances shall be “Be it ordained by the mayor and board of aldermen (or other proper governing body, as the case may be) of the city (or town or village, as the case may be) of __________,”.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-63 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 19 / Section 33-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-63
Status: in_force

Sales for the nonpayment of municipal taxes, both ad valorem and for special improvements, shall be made by the tax collector at such place, within the corporate limits, as the governing authorities may direct. The sale of real estate for ad valorem taxes and special improvement assessments and sale of personal property shall be made upon the same notice, at the same time, and in the same manner as provided by law for sales of like property for unpaid state and county taxes.

The lists of lands sold for taxes by the municipality shall be made as required to be made by the state and county collector, and shall be filed with the municipal clerk within twenty days after the tax sale, and shall there remain, subject to redemption for the same length of time and in the same manner as prescribed for the redemption of lands sold for state and county taxes, with the same saving to infants and persons of unsound mind. Said lists shall have the same force and effect, and confer the same right and entitle the purchasers to the same remedies, as lists made for delinquent taxes by the state and county tax collector. Such title shall be subservient, however, to a title acquired under a sale for state and county taxes.

One copy of the list of land so sold shall be filed within thirty days of such sale with the chancery clerk of the county in which said municipality is located, and the chancery clerk shall file and index said list among the land records of his county, as other tax sales are listed. However, the failure of the clerk so to file such list as herein prescribed shall not affect the validity of such tax sale.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-35 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 7 / Section 33-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-35
Status: in_force

The governing authorities, after having heard and determined all objections to the assessment roll, or rolls, and the assessments therein contained, shall approve the same by an order entered on the minutes. Such order shall state the grand total of the personal roll and the grand total of the land roll. In the event the municipality has added territory, the order shall recite, separately, the above totals for the municipality, for the added territory, and the grand total for the separate school district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-25-31 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 25 / Section 25-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-25-31
Status: in_force

Any municipality authorized to establish a fire district may purchase or construct any waterworks plant or other plant or equipment necessary for the establishment or maintenance of fire service in such fire district. Such municipality may issue the bonds of such fire district, as now provided by law, for the purpose of securing funds to be used for the purchase or construction of such plant. Such municipality may pay or retire such bonds from taxes annually levied on the taxable property of such district, as provided for in Section 21-25-27 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-207 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 23 / Section 29-207
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-207
Status: in_force

The Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi shall organize itself into a body to be known as the “Board of Disability and Relief of the City of __________.”

In each municipality there shall be a board to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System with respect to matters concerning the disability and relief fund. Such board shall consist of five (5) members as follows: two (2) shall be elected by the membership of the police department, two (2) shall be elected by the membership of the fire department and the mayor or his designee shall be an ex officio member. Retired members of the police department and fire department may participate in elections to choose members of the board, and such retired members are also eligible to serve on the board. The term of elected members shall be for four (4) years, and any vacancy in the elected membership shall be filled in the same manner as the original membership was selected.

The members of the board shall receive no compensation or pay from the disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen for the discharge of their duties, except as otherwise provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-247 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 3 / Section 29-247
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-247
Status: in_force

(1) From and after January 1, 1971, all persons receiving retirement benefits under Section 21-29-245 , or becoming eligible for retirement benefits under Section 21-29-245 , and retiring or to be retired from service in a municipality having an assessed valuation of at least Three Hundred Forty Million Dollars $340,000,000.00, according to the 1967 compiled assessment rolls, shall receive in addition to all benefits set forth in Section 21-29-245 the following percentage increases as may be determined by the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government under the following formula:

In any calendar year following 1970 in which the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government for January exceeds the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government for the previous January, the pension payments beginning with March of the current year shall be increased in an amount equal to the percentage increase determined by the increase in the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government.

The accumulated percentage increases provided under this subsection (1) that may be developed by increases in the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government shall not exceed twelve percent (12%).

(2) From and after January 1, 2002, all persons receiving retirement benefits or disability retirement benefits under Section 21-29-241 or 21-29-245 or becoming eligible for retirement benefits or disability retirement benefits under Section 21-29-241 or 21-29-245 and retiring or to be retired from service in a municipality having an assessed valuation of at least Three Hundred Forty Million Dollars ($340,000,000.00), according to the 1967 complied assessment rolls, who are receiving a cost-of-living increase provided under subsection (1) of this section or Chapter 869, Local and Private Laws of 1992, as the case may be, that is equal to an accumulated percentage increase of twelve percent (12%) of the amount of the retirement benefits, shall receive the following cost-of-living increases: In addition to all benefits provided under Section 21-29-241 or 21-29-245 , and the cost-of-living increases provided under subsection (1) of this section or Chapter 869, Local and Private Laws of 1992, as the case may be, those persons shall receive the following percentage increases as may be determined by the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government under the following formula:

In any calendar year in which a person is eligible for cost-of-living increases under this subsection (2) in which the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government for January exceeds the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government for the previous January, the pension payments beginning with March of the current year shall be increased in an amount equal to the percentage increase determined by the increase in the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government.

The accumulated percentage increases provided under this subsection (2) that may be developed by increases in the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government shall not exceed seven and one-half percent (7- 1 / 2 %).

(3) Any person who is receiving minimum monthly benefits under Chapter 898, Local and Private Laws of 1987, shall receive in addition to all benefits provided under Chapter 898, Local and Private Laws of 1987, the following percentage increases as may be determined by the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government under the following formula:

In any calendar year following 2001 in which the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government for January exceeds the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government for the previous January, the pension payments beginning with March of the current year shall be increased in an amount equal to the percentage increase determined by the increase in the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government.

The accumulated percentage increases provided under this subsection (3) that may be developed by increases in the cost-of-living index as set by the United States government shall not exceed seven and one-half percent (7- 1 / 2 %).

(4) The cost-of-living increases authorized under subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not be provided unless the disability and relief fund for firemen and policemen of any municipality to which this section applies:

(a) Is actuarially sound, as shown by the most recent actuarial study required by Section 21-29-221 ; and

(b) Will remain actuarially sound if the cost-of-living increases are provided, as shown by a certified statement from the actuarial firm that prepared the most recent actuarial study.

(5) The Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System shall provide the cost-of-living increases authorized under subsections (2) and (3) of this section to the persons authorized and entitled to receive them, after all of the following conditions have been met:

(a) The governing authorities of any municipality to which this section applies must adopt a resolution to provide for the cost-of-living increases, and transmit the resolution to the board of trustees;

(b) The advisory board on the disability and relief fund provided for in Section 21-29-207 must adopt a resolution supporting the providing of the cost-of-living increases, and transmit the resolution to the board of trustees; and

(c) The board of trustees must receive the resolutions from the governing authorities and the advisory board, and receive the most recent actuarial study of the disability and relief fund and the certified statement from the actuarial firm that the disability and relief fund will remain actuarially sound if the cost-of-living increases are provided.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-23-7 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 13 / Section 23-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-23-7
Status: in_force

(1) The municipal judge shall hold court in a public building designated by the governing authorities of the municipality, or may hold court in an adult detention center as provided under this subsection, and may hold court every day except Sundays and legal holidays if the business of the municipality so requires; provided, however, the municipal judge may hold court outside the boundaries of the municipality but not more than within a sixty-mile radius of the municipality to handle preliminary matters and criminal matters such as initial appearances and felony preliminary hearings. The municipal judge may hold court outside the boundaries of the municipality but not more than within a one-mile radius of the municipality for any purpose; however, a municipal judge may hold court outside the boundaries of the municipality more than within a one-mile radius of the municipality when accepting a plea of a defendant at an adult detention center within the county. The municipal judge shall have the jurisdiction to hear and determine, without a jury and without a record of the testimony, all cases charging violations of the municipal ordinances and state misdemeanor laws made offenses against the municipality and to punish offenders therefor as may be prescribed by law. Except as otherwise provided by law, criminal proceedings shall be brought by sworn complaint filed in the municipal court. Such complaint shall state the essential elements of the offense charged and the statute or ordinance relied upon. Such complaint shall not be required to conclude with a general averment that the offense is against the peace and dignity of the state or in violation of the ordinances of the municipality. He may sit as a committing court in all felonies committed within the municipality, and he shall have the power to bind over the accused to the grand jury or to appear before the proper court having jurisdiction to try the same, and to set the amount of bail or refuse bail and commit the accused to jail in cases not bailable. The municipal judge is a conservator of the peace within his municipality. He may conduct preliminary hearings in all violations of the criminal laws of this state occurring within the municipality, and any person arrested for a violation of law within the municipality may be brought before him for initial appearance. The municipal court shall have jurisdiction of any case remanded to it by a circuit court grand jury. The municipal court shall have civil jurisdiction over actions filed pursuant to and as provided in Title 93, Chapter 21, Mississippi Code of 1972 , the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act.

(2) In the discretion of the court, where the objects of justice would be more likely met, as an alternative to imposition or payment of fine and/or incarceration, the municipal judge shall have the power to sentence convicted offenders to work on a public service project where the court has established such a program of public service by written guidelines filed with the clerk for public record. Such programs shall provide for reasonable supervision of the offender and the work shall be commensurate with the fine and/or incarceration that would have ordinarily been imposed. Such program of public service may be utilized in the implementation of the provisions of Section 99-19-20 , and public service work thereunder may be supervised by persons other than the sheriff.

(3) The municipal judge may solemnize marriages, take oaths, affidavits and acknowledgments, and issue orders, subpoenas, summonses, citations, warrants for search and arrest upon a finding of probable cause, and other such process under seal of the court to any county or municipality, in a criminal case, to be executed by the lawful authority of the county or the municipality of the respondent, and enforce obedience thereto. The absence of a seal shall not invalidate the process.

(4) When a person shall be charged with an offense in municipal court punishable by confinement, the municipal judge, being satisfied that such person is an indigent person and is unable to employ counsel, may, in the discretion of the court, appoint counsel from the membership of The Mississippi Bar residing in his county who shall represent him. Compensation for appointed counsel in criminal cases shall be approved and allowed by the municipal judge and shall be paid by the municipality. The maximum compensation shall not exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for any one (1) case. The governing authorities of a municipality may, in their discretion, appoint a public defender(s) who must be a licensed attorney and who shall receive a salary to be fixed by the governing authorities.

(5) The municipal judge of any municipality is hereby authorized to suspend the sentence and to suspend the execution of the sentence, or any part thereof, on such terms as may be imposed by the municipal judge. However, the suspension of imposition or execution of a sentence hereunder may not be revoked after a period of two (2) years. The municipal judge shall have the power to establish and operate a probation program, dispute resolution program and other practices or procedures appropriate to the judiciary and designed to aid in the administration of justice. Any such program shall be established by the court with written policies and procedures filed with the clerk of the court for public record. Subsequent to original sentencing, the municipal judge, in misdemeanor cases, is hereby authorized to suspend sentence and to suspend the execution of a sentence, or any part thereof, on such terms as may be imposed by the municipal judge, if (a) the judge or his or her predecessor was authorized to order such suspension when the sentence was originally imposed; and (b) such conviction (i) has not been appealed; or (ii) has been appealed and the appeal has been voluntarily dismissed.

(6) Upon prior notice to the municipal prosecuting attorney and upon a showing in open court of rehabilitation, good conduct for a period of two (2) years since the last conviction in any court and that the best interest of society would be served, the court may, in its discretion, order the record of conviction of a person of any or all misdemeanors in that court expunged, and upon so doing the said person thereafter legally stands as though he had never been convicted of the said misdemeanor(s) and may lawfully so respond to any query of prior convictions. This order of expunction does not apply to the confidential records of law enforcement agencies and has no effect on the driving record of a person maintained under Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, or any other provision of said Title 63.

(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (6) of this section, a person who was convicted in municipal court of a misdemeanor before reaching his twenty-third birthday, excluding conviction for a traffic violation, and who is a first offender, may utilize the provisions of Section 99-19-71 , to expunge such misdemeanor conviction.

(8) In the discretion of the court, a plea of nolo contendere may be entered to any charge in municipal court. Upon the entry of a plea of nolo contendere the court shall convict the defendant of the offense charged and shall proceed to sentence the defendant according to law. The judgment of the court shall reflect that the conviction was on a plea of nolo contendere. An appeal may be made from a conviction on a plea of nolo contendere as in other cases.

(9) Upon execution of a sworn complaint charging a misdemeanor, the municipal court may, in its discretion and in lieu of an arrest warrant, issue a citation requiring the appearance of the defendant to answer the charge made against him. On default of appearance, an arrest warrant may be issued for the defendant. The clerk of the court or deputy clerk may issue such citations.

(10) The municipal court shall have the power to make rules for the administration of the court's business, which rules, if any, shall be in writing filed with the clerk of the court and shall include the enactment of rules related to the court's authority to issue domestic abuse protection orders pursuant to Section 93-21-1 et seq.

(11) The municipal court shall have the power to impose punishment of a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or six (6) months imprisonment, or both, for contempt of court. The municipal court may have the power to impose reasonable costs of court, not in excess of the following:

Dismissal of any affidavit, complaint or charge in municipal court․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․$

50.00

Suspension of a minor's driver's license in lieu of conviction․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․$

50.00

Service of scire facias or return “not found”․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․$

20.00

Causing search warrant to issue or causing prosecution without reasonable cause or refusing to cooperate after initiating action

․$

100.00

Certified copy of the court record․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․$

5.00

Service of arrest warrant for failure to answer citation or traffic summons․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․$

25.00

Jail cost per day--actual jail cost paid by the municipality but not to exceed․․․․․․․․․․

․$

35.00

Service of court documents related to the filing of a petition or issuance of a protection from domestic abuse order under Title 93, Chapter 21, Mississippi Code of 1972

․$

25.00

Any other item of court cost․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․$

50.00

No filing fee or such cost shall be imposed for the bringing of an action in municipal court.

(12) A municipal court judge shall not dismiss a criminal case but may transfer the case to the justice court of the county if the municipal court judge is prohibited from presiding over the case by the Canons of Judicial Conduct and provided that venue and jurisdiction are proper in the justice court. Upon transfer of any such case, the municipal court judge shall give the municipal court clerk a written order to transmit the affidavit or complaint and all other records and evidence in the court's possession to the justice court by certified mail or to instruct the arresting officer to deliver such documents and records to the justice court. There shall be no court costs charged for the transfer of the case to the justice court.

(13) A municipal court judge shall expunge the record of any case in which an arrest was made, the person arrested was released and the case was dismissed or the charges were dropped, there was no disposition of such case or the person was found not guilty at trial.

(14) For violations of municipal ordinances related to real property, the municipal judge shall have the power to order a defendant to remedy violations within a reasonable time period as set by the judge, and at the discretion of the judge, the judge may simultaneously authorize the municipality, at its request, the option to remedy the violation itself, through the use of its own employees or its contractors, without further notice should the defendant fail to fully do so within the time period set by the judge. Subsequent to the municipality remedying the violation, the municipality may petition the court to assess documented cleanup costs to the defendant, and, if, following a hearing on such petition, the judge determines (a) the violations were not remedied by the defendant within the time required by the court, (b) that the municipality remedied the violation itself after such time period expired and (c) that the costs incurred by the municipality were reasonable, the court may assess the costs to the defendant as a judgement 1 , which may be enrolled in the office of the circuit clerk.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-63 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 25 / Section 33-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-63
Status: in_force

Sales for the nonpayment of municipal taxes, both ad valorem and for special improvements, shall be made by the tax collector at such place, within the corporate limits, as the governing authorities may direct. The sale of real estate for ad valorem taxes and special improvement assessments and sale of personal property shall be made upon the same notice, at the same time, and in the same manner as provided by law for sales of like property for unpaid state and county taxes.

The lists of lands sold for taxes by the municipality shall be made as required to be made by the state and county collector, and shall be filed with the municipal clerk within twenty days after the tax sale, and shall there remain, subject to redemption for the same length of time and in the same manner as prescribed for the redemption of lands sold for state and county taxes, with the same saving to infants and persons of unsound mind. Said lists shall have the same force and effect, and confer the same right and entitle the purchasers to the same remedies, as lists made for delinquent taxes by the state and county tax collector. Such title shall be subservient, however, to a title acquired under a sale for state and county taxes.

One copy of the list of land so sold shall be filed within thirty days of such sale with the chancery clerk of the county in which said municipality is located, and the chancery clerk shall file and index said list among the land records of his county, as other tax sales are listed. However, the failure of the clerk so to file such list as herein prescribed shall not affect the validity of such tax sale.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-71 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 21 / Section 33-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-71
Status: in_force

When the state, county, or taxing district taxes are paid by a municipality, or where lands are redeemed or purchased by a municipality, as provided in Section 21-33-69 , such lands shall not be exempt from state, county, or other taxing district taxes but shall be liable for such taxes the same as if owned by an individual. It shall be the duty of the tax assessor to assess lands purchased pursuant to the authority granted in Section 29-1-51, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for taxes in the same manner as other lands are assessed and if the taxes are not paid when due, it shall be the duty of the tax collector to sell said land for the delinquent taxes due and unpaid at the time and in the manner provided by law for the sale of lands for delinquent taxes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-303 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 9 / Section 33-303
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-303
Status: in_force

No municipality shall hereafter issue bonds secured by a pledge of its full faith and credit for the purposes authorized by law in an amount which, when added to the then outstanding bonded indebtedness of such municipality, shall exceed either (a) fifteen percent (15%) of the assessed value of the taxable property within such municipality, according to the last completed assessment for taxation, or (b) ten percent (10%) of the assessment upon which taxes were levied for its fiscal year ending September 30, 1984, whichever is greater. In computing such indebtedness, there may be deducted all bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, heretofore or hereafter issued, for school, water, sewerage systems, gas, and light and power purposes and for the construction of special improvements primarily chargeable to the property benefited, or for the purpose of paying the municipality's proportion of any betterment program, a portion of which is primarily chargeable to the property benefited. However, in no case shall any municipality contract any indebtedness which, when added to all of the outstanding general obligation indebtedness, both bonded and floating, shall exceed either (a) twenty percent (20%) of the assessed value of all taxable property within such municipality according to the last completed assessment for taxation or (b) fifteen percent (15%) of the assessment upon which taxes were levied for its fiscal year ending September 30, 1984, whichever is greater. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to apply to contract obligations in any form heretofore or hereafter incurred by any municipality which are subject to annual appropriations therefor, or to bonds heretofore issued by any municipality for school purposes, or to contract obligations in any form heretofore or hereafter incurred by any municipality which are payable exclusively from the revenues of any municipally owned utility, or to bonds issued by any municipality under the provisions of Sections 57-1-1 through 57-1-51 , or to any special assessment improvement bonds issued by any municipality under the provisions of Sections 21-41-1 through 21-41-53 , or to any indebtedness incurred under Section 55-23-8 , or to any indebtedness incurred through a loan to a municipality under Section 57-75-11(tt) in connection with a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxvii) .

All bonds issued prior to July 1, 1990, pursuant to this chapter by any municipality for the purpose of the constructing, replacing, renovating or improving wastewater collection and treatment facilities in order to comply with an administrative order of the Mississippi Department of Natural Resources issued pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and amendments thereto, are hereby exempt from the limitation imposed by this section if the governing body of the municipality adopts an order, resolution or ordinance to the effect that the rates paid by the users of such facilities shall be increased to the extent necessary to provide sufficient funds for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds as each respectively becomes due and payable as well as the necessary expenses in connection with the operation and maintenance of such facilities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-149 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 9 / Section 29-149
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-149
Status: in_force

Should said fund at any time be insufficient to make all payments properly payable therefrom, the beneficiaries shall not file any suit against said city, its governing authorities, or said disability and relief board, but the amounts available shall be properly prorated until such time as funds may be sufficient to make all payments payable thereafter for the full amount properly allowed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-33 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 25 / Section 33-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-33
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in Section 21-33-10 , the governing authorities of each municipality shall hold a meeting at the city hall, or at such other place as their regular meetings are held, on the date specified in the notice required by Section 21-33-29 , to hear objections to the real and personal rolls and the assessments therein contained. The governing authorities shall hear and determine all objections, and shall sit from day to day until the same shall have been disposed of, and all proper corrections made. The proceedings shall, in all respects, conform to the requirements of law governing such meetings of the county board of supervisors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-41-53 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 38 / Section 41-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-41-53
Status: in_force

All work upon the improvements authorized by Section 21-41-3 , shall be undertaken and contracts therefor, if any, shall be let and awarded in the manner provided by the law or the charter of the municipality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-321 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 23 / Section 33-321
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-321
Status: in_force

Whenever there shall be on hand in any bond and interest fund an amount in excess of the amount which will be required for expenditure therefrom within the then next succeeding twelve months, the governing authorities of the municipality may use such excess amount to purchase the outstanding bonds of such municipality which are payable from such fund whenever, in the judgment of the governing authorities, the best interest of the municipality would be served thereby. When such bonds are purchased, they shall be cancelled and retired and shall not thereafter be resold or reissued.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-41-21 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 38 / Section 41-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-41-21
Status: in_force

The treasurer shall immediately report to the clerk of the municipality, or to the officer performing the duties of such clerk, any assessment paid in full. The collector shall annually report to the clerk of the municipality, or to the officer performing the duties of such clerk, the installments paid in that year. The clerk of the municipality, or the officer performing the duties of such clerk, shall note such payments on the “assessment book for local improvements.” When an assessment is paid in full, or upon the payment of the last installment thereof, the clerk shall note on said “assessment book for local improvements” opposite the assessment, “paid in full.” Upon the payment of each installment an appropriate note thereof shall be made opposite such assessment on said book, so that the amount of the assessment against any property assessed under the provisions of this chapter, which remains a lien upon said property may be determined by reference to the “assessment book for local improvements.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-51 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-51
Status: in_force

The tax collector shall give to everyone paying taxes a signed receipt, dated, numbered and filled in so as to show by whom, and on what, taxes were paid, and conforming to the requirements of Section 21-33-49 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-19-59 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 17 / Section 19-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-19-59
Status: in_force

Every municipality of this state, in or near which a state university or other state-supported four-year college is now or hereafter may be located, in which there has been constructed or is contemplated, an airport for use by said university or college, as the case may be, may, in the discretion of its governing authorities, contribute funds and aid and assist by the donation of lands, furnishing of materials and labor, use of general municipal operating funds, or otherwise, in acquiring a site, erecting suitable buildings, and constructing, equipping, maintaining and operating an airport for use by the university or college, as the case may be, and for use by the general public in said municipality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-185 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 3 / Section 27-185
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-185
Status: in_force

Proceeds from the sale of bonds may be invested, pending their use, in such certificates of deposit as are specified in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or the trust indenture securing them, and the earnings on such investments applied as provided in such resolution or trust indenture.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-39 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 1 / Section 29-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-39
Status: in_force

Upon application of a member in service of the employer, any member who has had not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty (20) years' service with the employer and who has become totally and permanently incapacitated for duty, as a result of causes occurring other than in the performance of his duty, shall be retired by the board not less than thirty (30) nor more than ninety (90) days next following the date of filing such application, on a non-duty disability retirement allowance. Any such disability shall be certified to the board in the same manner as provided in Section 21-29-35 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-31 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 1 / Section 29-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-31
Status: in_force

After the expiration of four (4) years from the effective date of an employer's operation under this article, any member who has been an employee of the employer, to whom application is made, for twenty (20) years or more, whether continuous or not, provided the last seven (7) years of which service shall have been continuous, may retire upon his written application to the board setting forth at what time, not less than thirty (30) nor more than ninety (90) days subsequent to the filing thereof, he desires to be retired. The board shall grant him the benefits under Section 21-29-33 to which he is entitled because of the service retirement. It shall be mandatory that any member retire after he attains the age of seventy (70) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-15 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 15 / Section 29-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-29-15
Status: in_force

The clerk of said employer shall, within thirty (30) days after the effective date of the ordinance of the municipality to be passed as provided in Section 21-29-5 , prepare a statement showing the length of service of employees, prior to effective date of said ordinance, then employed by the employer and the total salaries or wages paid each in cash or warrants during the four (4) years of employment by the employer next before said effective date of said ordinance. Such facts shall, subject to correction after each employee is given ten (10) days within which to check and prove to the board any error therein, be the basis for the board to approve the issuance of prior service certificates and records and to determine the sum each prior service employee electing to come within the retirement system shall deposit in the employees' savings fund. The secretary of the board shall, upon approval of the board, issue to each employee a prior service certificate. The clerk of the employer shall have the duty of keeping all service records and all records on the various funds provided by this article. The clerk shall on or before July 1, 1987, forward all service records and funds to the Public Employees' Retirement System.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-77 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 33 / Section 33-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-33-77
Status: in_force

When any municipality shall buy in property for delinquent taxes, such municipality is hereby authorized to issue notes, bonds, or certificates of indebtedness for the amount of the tax, for a period of time not to exceed one year after the period provided for the redemption of such land and, in addition to pledging the full faith, credit, and resources of the municipality therefor, such municipality may pledge the taxes and damages from delinquent tax sales thereon. When said notes, bonds, or certificates of indebtedness are so issued, all funds collected on said delinquent taxes and damages, or the sale of the property, in the event the title ripens in the municipality, shall be set aside as a special or trust fund for the retirement of said notes, bonds, or certificates of indebtedness. The rate of interest of said notes, bonds, or certificates of indebtedness not to exceed six per centum per annum. The authority implied and granted in this section shall apply also to the boards of trustees in municipal separate school districts, by and with the consent of the governing authorities of such municipality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-41-15 — MS Code / Title 21 / Chapter 41 / Section 41-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 21-41-15
Status: in_force

Assessments shall be made and apportioned in the manner fixed by the resolution of the governing authorities determining to proceed with the improvement. The owner of any property assessed for an improvement, or any party having an interest therein, may appear at the time and place fixed for the hearing and determining of any objections or defense, and object to the proposed assessment against the property or to the amount thereof. The governing authorities of the municipality shall hear and determine all objections and protests to the proposed assessment, under such reasonable rules and regulations as they may adopt. At such meeting, or at any adjournment thereof, the governing authorities may alter, change or correct any assessment; however, no assessment shall be increased without notice to the owner of the property. The governing authorities shall, by resolution, approve and confirm all assessments as finally fixed and adjusted at the said hearing, and said assessments shall, from the date of such confirmation, constitute a lien upon the respective lots or parcels of lands and other real property upon which they are levied, superior to all other liens except those for state and county taxes. All persons who fail to object to the proposed assessments, in the manner herein provided shall be deemed to have consented to and approved the same. Any property owner aggrieved by the decision of the governing authorities may appeal to the circuit court.