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- Growing the City of Ocean Springs (ANNEXATION)
Growing the City of Ocean Springs (ANNEXATION)
The City of Ocean Springs recently completed its annexation of approximately 5.9 square miles to the northeast and southeast of the existing City, including the areas along and west of Highway 57 and Ocean Springs Road to the north, and areas along Old Spanish Trail and Greyhound Way to the south. The City’s annexation included numerous residential subdivisions and neighborhoods consisting primarily of single-family residences, as well as several thriving commercial areas and the Sunplex Industrial Park on Highway 57.
In total, the City’s annexation, which became effective on April 21, 2024, brought over 700 additional dwelling units into the City, which increased Ocean Springs’ population by over 1,700 people. In addition, the City annexed the Ocean Springs Sports Complex, the Ocean Springs High School, several multi-family apartment complexes and duplex developments, multiple churches, and an assisted living facility and retirement home. The City also annexed approximately 60 businesses.
The City will also extend water, fire hydrants, and sanitary sewer in all of the annexation areas that are not currently served with such utilities within the first five (5) years of annexation, and the City will take over the payment of electricity charges on roughly 73 existing streetlights, plus the City will add another 144 new streetlights in the areas annexed.
Annexation Highlights
- Residents and property owners will immediately become eligible for the City of Ocean Springs’ Class 4 fire rating classification.
- 911 Dispatch has been updated to route calls for emergency services to the City of Ocean Springs Fire Department and Police Department.
- Participants in Ocean Springs parks, recreational facilities, and sports programs and leagues will immediately be eligible for resident participation fees rather than non-resident fees.
- The City will redistrict its current voting wards to reflect the enlargement of the City’s boundaries. Residents will receive a new voter registration card. Residents will be eligible to vote in the City’s 2025 elections. The November 2024 election will not be affected by annexation. All residents will vote at current polling place.
- Calls for work orders should be directed to the Ocean Springs Public Works Department
- Water and Sewer utility services will be billed at in-city rates for those who are customers of the City of Ocean Springs utility services. (See Insert for more information.)
- Effective July 1, garbage collection will transition from Waste Management to Waste Pro. (See insert for more information.)
- The City will take over all code enforcement, building permitting and building inspection services effective immediately.
- Annexed properties will retain their current zoning designations as assigned by Jackson County. If a project is permitted by Jackson County, the permitting process will be completed with Jackson County.
GARBAGE ONLY COVERAGE
The City is formulating a 5- year plan for installing water/sewer lines where none are available now. If you have water/sewer services with Utility Services or Jackson County Utility Authority (JCUA), you will continue with their service. The City will bill you separately for garbage at $31.50/month. This payment is due on the 15th, if the payment is late then a 15% penalty ($4.73) will incur. Accounts that are not paid will be sent to collections after 90 days. This notice was sent to owners of the property but if you have a renter, then you need to send the City this information so we can contact the person who is receiving the service.
On Monday, June 24th, Waste Management will make their last pickup and pick up their containers. On June 26th, Waste Pro will deliver their containers and begin garbage service on Monday, July 1st. Recycling will be on Wednesdays and start on July 3rd. The City will offer boom truck service weekly on Tuesdays. Waste Pro offers additional cans for $5.00 per month which is billed through your garbage bill. You can order through the Water Dept. There is not a deposit required but we do need the application filled out to set the account up.
Current service: Jackson County - Waste Management – Trash/Recycling 1 weekly - Knuckle Boom Service – 1 month.
Service -July 1 forward – City of Ocean Springs – Trash/Recycling 1 weekly - Knuckle Boom Service weekly (day following trash pickup). Your first bill will be in August for services received in July.
Boom truck service is ONLY for customer refuse. If you hire someone to clean your yard, or construction on your home-it is up to the contractor to haul off the product. As a customer, you can take your trash (not garbage) to the landfill at 8400 Jim Ramsey Road in Vancleave or go to the County landfill on Seaman Road. Proof of address will be required.
COMMERCIAL-BUSINESS ACCOUNTS
Garbage will be added to all new accounts unless you have a dumpster agreement. Please return a copy of the agreement to have this charge removed.
Businesses that are zoned industrial such as Sunplex are currently paying industrial fees. The Mayor and Board of Aldermen have decided to elminiate those fees to allow these businesses pay the same rate as other commercial businesses in the city limits. This will result in major savings since the line size fees will be eliminated and billing will be by usage only. After an ordinance change, business owners should see reduction on your September bill for August service.
CURRENT CUSTOMERS FOR WATER/SEWER
If you are a current customer, you have been paying 1.5 times for water/sewer since you were billed out of the city limits rates. Good news! Your bills for this next billing cycle will be rolled back to regular rates since the June billing cycle started in May. We will not add the $31.50 garbage portion until July billing (August bill) since service starts July 1st.
Change of Services for Residents in the Newly Annexed Areas of the City of Ocean Springs
(via Jackson County Solid Waste Department)
Garbage and Recycling Services:
Monday, June 24, 2024, will be the last day the County's garbage and recycling services provider, Waste Management, will provide services to the annexed area.
- Place all WAste Management garbage and recycling carts at the curb for the June 24 pick-up
- After carts are emptied, leave carts at the curbside (do not bring them back up to your house)
- Waste Management will begin picking their carts up on June 24th and continue until all have been removed.
Rubbish/Bulk Waste Services:
Jackson County Solid Waste Department will provide its final once-a-month rubbish/bulk waste service in the annexed areas as follows:
- Area 2A - June 03, 2024, thru June 07, 2024
- Area 2B - June10, 2024, thru June14, 2024
- Area 1 - June 17, 2024, thru June 21, 2024
Beginning July 1, 2024, all services in the newly annexed areas will be provided by the City of Ocean Springs and Waste Pro. For more information, contact the City of Ocean Springs at 228.875.4236.