Any notion of a property tax cut due to an 8 percent increase in values assigned to taxable property in Warren County was dashed Tuesday night.

Homestead exemptions and breaks approved for industrial improvements will keep Warren County’s tax rate steady, according to the county’s latest budget estimates unveiled at a town hall-style meeting organized by District 4 Supervisor Carl Flanders.

The net effect of reappraisals and new construction showed the county’s tax base should grow in fiscal 2008 by about 6 percent. Growth was forecast at more than 8 percent in initial estimates.

Overall, actual values are more than $3 billion and taxable value will be $469 million, up from $442 million this budget year, which ends Sept. 30.

County and City of Vicksburg officials are ending the process of gathering budget information and will be setting tax rates soon. The 20 or so residents at the informational session questioned the tax breaks granted to area industries while higher and higher residential property values have led to higher tax bills.

&#8220Me as a common Joe out here, I’m paying for their tax exemption,” said Joe Lyons.

Supervisors have approved more than $16 million in tax exemptions tied to expansions and additions for the upcoming year. Industries granted ad valorem exemptions still must pay taxes to the Vicksburg Warren School District, which is asking for about $23 million in operating revenue this year.

While the larger tax base will provide more operating revenue at the same rate of taxation, Warren County’s projected spending plan for 2007-08 spends it. Included are 4 percent pay raises for all employees at a cost of $343,591 and $300,000 to spruce up the Warren County Courthouse with a new roof, interior paint and restroom renovations.

Sheriff Martin Pace was the only speaker at the event, held during mid-August in each year of Flanders’ term. Pace touted the upcoming fact-finding trip to Colorado he and others in county government will make to gather information on where and how best to build a modern jail.

The seminar, hosted by the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Institute of Corrections, will feature designs and models for building a jail &#8220for a community this size,” Pace said.

&#8220If we are going to do this, we need to do this right,” he said.

Grand jury recommendations have consistently mentioned building a new facility and questions Tuesday centered on where a new jail would be.

Pace said supervisors will make the call on that and on financing, likely through a bond issue. He indicated he would like to see it in the downtown area, near the courthouse and justice court buildings. &#8220The greater the distance from the courthouse, the greater the possibility of having a security issue transporting inmates,” he said.

Flanders also avoided specifics on the issue. &#8220It’s been a need that was pressing before I was here,” he said.

The political season made its presence felt by the absence of County Administrator John Smith, who had presented budget projections at a similar event hosted by Flanders last year.

Smith was reportedly asked by a majority of supervisors not to attend because his presence could be seen as overly political because Flanders is seeking re-election. Still, former and current candidates for office were present, including one of Flanders’ opponents in November, former supervisor Bill Lauderdale.