By Ayesha K. Mustafaa
Editor
Within the city of Jackson and surrounding Hinds County, there are 360 property parcels that will be auctioned off, according to Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann. Mayor Tony Yarber and Hosemann held a joint press conference at City Hall, Wednesday, August 26, announcing the process to submit bids for these properties.
The public auction accounts for $14.6 million in tax-forfeited properties, some which have been listed in tax sales dating back several years, said Hosemann. To view available properties online and for the public bidding which begins Thursday, August 27, go to the Secretary of State’s website: http://www.sos.ms.gov/PublicLands/Jackson.
Sealed bids must be received in the Secretary of State’s office, 125 S. Congress St., in Jackson by 5 p.m. central time on Sept. 17, 2015. These bids will be opened and announced publicly at 10 a.m. central time on Sept. 18, 2015 in the SOS’s Public Lands Division.
Successful bidders will be notified and payments must be made within 15 days of notification. Properties are sold “as is,” and the Secretary of State reserves the right to “reject any and all bids.” No more than 160 acres may be purchased by one person within one year.
Hosemann said, “Our goal is to place this property back on the tax rolls to benefit the capital city and the state of Mississippi. By partnering with the city of Jackson, we are taking an aggressive step to return these properties to productive use.”
Yarber said, “This public auction will add momentum to the city’s efforts to strengthen our communities. This will give citizens the opportunity to purchase property and play a vital role in Jackson’s revitalization.”
Hosemann said upwards of 25 percent of the income from the sales could come to the city of Jackson and another part of the income to the public schools.
The Secretary of States office also has held similar tax-forfeited sales in partnership with the cities of Hattiesburg, Greenwood, McComb/Pike County, Meridian/Lauderdale County and Greenville/Washington County.
