What residents living in Ocean Springs annexed area need to know

The City of Ocean Springs annexed approximately 6 miles of land that was originally in Jackson County’s jurisdiction, including Ocean Springs High School and numerous residential neighborhoods and complexes. As they make this switch, there are some important details Ocean Springs’ 1,700 hundred new residents need to know.

Most importantly, residents will vote this November at the same voting precinct as before the annex. In 2025, new residents will be able to vote in city elections.

The city has to have the land redistricted and put into wards by October.

Trash pick-up will start July 1st for all new residents.

The biggest disturbance you may notice is the city putting in new water and sewage lines. This will be a five-year process and residents in the annexed area will have the option to opt out of city water.

For the most part, people living in the annexed area won’t experience much change in their lives and the city wants this transition to be easy for people…

“We had a little opposition with the annexation area from some of the folks, but I think a majority of folks are happy to be a part of Ocean Springs and welcome the services that we’re going to be able to provide for them,” said Mayor Kenny Halloway. “We’re not trying to change anybody’s way of life, and the way they would like to live.”

We spoke with residents off camera who told us it’s not the trash or water that worries them, it’s the financial impact that comes from joining the city.

Julie Messenger, a 45-year-long resident, said, “At the end of last week I received a letter in the mail welcoming us to the city, as well as outlining what to expect and numbers for resources. However, there is nothing about this annexation that will be easy. The city isn’t new to me, but the monthly costs incurred per household will be increasing substantially. I think it will be 1 to 2k more per year.”

If anyone needs assistance through this process, they can call Ocean Springs City Hall.