Dear Neighbors,

Earlier this Summer, I wrote to you about the upcoming changes in property tax assessments, or the ad valorem tax formula, mandated by the State. These updates come from DeSoto County Tax Assessor, Jeff Fitch. This is a big shift affecting both your County, City, and School District taxes. Our City currently has and will maintain the lowest millage rate in all of DeSoto County. We will be reducing our property millage rate to 35.05 mills. This represents  8.96% reduction in our millage rate. In every way, Olive Branch is working to remain a great place to live, work, worship, and play.

During the month of July, property owners across DeSoto County began receiving notices in the mail with updated property assessments. I've shared the images below of what you should have received from the County Tax Assessor. 

Please note that this notice is NOT a tax bill. 

Millage rates will be set using the new assessments. Tax bills based on the new values and tax levy will be issued in December 2025 and are due by February 1, 2026.

DeSoto County Tax Assessor Jeff Fitch presented the new assessments to the Board of Supervisors during the July 7, 2025, Board Meeting.  The following information comes from Jeff Fitch's office. 

“The Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) has mandated that we change our pricing manuals as well as change our index to get closer to the fair market value,” said Fitch. Where we were running 56% market value before, they wanted us at least 85% of the market value. So we had to make those changes for the 2025 tax year.”

The DOR instructed assessors statewide to move assessments closer to market value, preferably to 100%. Fitch said he followed the minimum allowed by the state, which was 85%. The reassessment affects real property only—not land or personal property—and reflects updated values based on growth and rising real estate prices. Land with no structures or improvements will not be impacted.

Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the millage rate. Per DeSoto County, the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors has not raised the county millage rate in 21 consecutive years. Likewise, the City of Olive Branch has not raised our millage rate since February of 2015.  

Our City currently has and will maintain the lowest millage rate in all of DeSoto County. We will be reducing our property millage rate to 35.05 mills. This represents a 8.96% reduction in our millage rate.

Like you, the Board and I are taxpayers ourselves. We share your concerns and your desire to see your tax dollars spent wisely. Taxes are your fiscal investment in your City to support its infrastructure, its future planning, and the recreational amenities you and your family love and enjoy. Taxes are a necessary part of keeping essential services running. Our millage rate will provide revenue to the City that allows us to support amenities such as: 

• funding for street paving and road/traffic improvement projects, such as the Craft Road widening between Church Road and College Road
• matching grant funding for a multi-use trail along Church Road
• construction for our Fire Station #6 and Public Works facility
• purchasing a new ambulance and knuckle boom trucks
• adding additional City staff for additional paramedic, animal shelter staff, and park amenity maintenance
• improvements to water/wastewater utility lines
• improvements to our gas utility line

The Board of Aldermen and I will continue to work to remain fiscally conservative and annually evaluate ways to maintain or reduce the millage rate.  

I appreciate your patience as we work through this process. Please know that we are doing everything possible to balance fairness to taxpayers with the responsibility to keep our city running strong. To help better answer your questions, City Staff have compiled a guide of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below for you. If you have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Kenneth (Ken) R. Adams

Mayor of the City of Olive Branch

Mayor's Office: 662-892-9201

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

These responses have been provided by the DeSoto County Tax Assessor's Office and by City of Olive Branch Staff. 

What are Ad Valorem Taxes or Property Taxes?

Ad Valorem Taxes are taxes that are based on the determined value of the item being taxed. An example of a taxable item would be items such as buildings, land, automobiles, and business personal property. 

What is my Assessment?

The Tax Assessor’s Office has completed mailing out the new assessments. You can find out the assessed value of your property by going to the link below. 
The link is: https://tinyurl.com/2025-Property-tax

 Just type your name or address in the search bar and select your property. If you are having issues with the search bar, you can zoom into the map to find your property.

How are Tax Bills Calculated?

Property taxes are calculated by multiplying the assessed value by the millage rate. Taxes will be calculated using the new assessments, and the millage rates, which have not yet been set. 

When Will Tax Bills be issued and when are they due?

Tax bills based on the new values will be issued in December 2025 and are due by February 1, 2026.

How do I find out my millage rate?

Homeowners are encouraged to review millage rates set by other taxing authorities, including municipalities, school districts, and special districts, if applicable. The City of Olive Branch millage rate will be set at 35.05 mills. County and school millage rates have not been set yet at the time of this article. Rates should be set in September by each entity and communication from each group will be sent out. 

I am at least 65 years of age or older. How does this impact me?

Homeowners who are disabled or are 65 or older, who have locked in their Homestead Exemption by December 31, 2024, may see a decrease in their property tax when millage rates are reduced. 

Will other taxes go down to offset this increase?

While property taxes are expected to increase, the cost of car tags is expected to decrease. Here’s why - the cost of car tags is based on a percentage of the assessed value of the vehicle – which is then multiplied by the county's millage rate.  A reduction in millage is expected to reduce the cost of your car tag.