Ocean Springs residents meet to discuss annexation

The City of Ocean Springs made big changes just months ago, as it made the decision to extend city limit lines and annex area streets and neighborhoods.

However, these changes have not come without some tension and frustration. As newly-annexed residents interacted in a meet-and-greet forum on Monday night, it became clear that not everyone was on board with officially living inside city limits.

“Many people have always felt like they are a part of Ocean Springs, but now, all of a sudden, their property taxes have gone up,” Ocean Springs resident Eamon Mohiuddin explained. “They’re not sure whether– is the sheriff still serving them, is the Ocean Springs PD still serving them? People aren’t really sure what’s going on.”

One of the biggest challenges for newly-annexed residents has to do with finances. Certain city services are now provided to these residents… even if they feel like they don’t need them. Julie Messenger, a resident of the annexed area, said that the extra expenses can be difficult for families.

“I’d say the largest negative would be financially,  the strain on families in an already difficult economic time,” Messenger said. “Increased taxes, increased money to pay to tie into water and sewer, increase for garbage.

While residents have made these changes financially, most have not seen any major differences elsewhere, as Messenger explained.

“For nothing to really change my life, to be paying exponentially more is pretty concerning.”

Despite these issues, Mohiudden still remains hopeful that things will eventually improve.

“As long as we can iron out the details about how much people are paying for their garbage, how will they be served, how their taxes increase, what kind of utilities are they going to have, a utility issue… once we can solve these details, then we can figure out how these annexed areas integrate officially into Ocean Springs,” Mohiudden said.