Are residents being shortchanged by the Harrison Co. Utility Authority?
“When the Harrison County Utility Authority needed to put in a sewer vent off Daugherty Road in Long Beach, it needed some of Barry Neyrey’s land. The Utility Authority has the power to take the land once the property is appraised.
The Harrison County Utility Authority offered Barry Neyrey $12,000 for the property.
What was his reaction when he learned of the land appraisal?
“‘What?’ That was basically it,” Neyrey said. “It seemed awful low and I had to think about it for a while, and in the process of thinking about it I just didn’t respond. I thought they would get in touch with me and talk about it, but never did. I didn’t go get a lawyer until after they filed suit for eminent domain.”
Neyrey hired Attorney Gary White, who’s represented two other land owners in battles with the utility authority.
In each case, White said the utility district’s offer and the fair market value of the land were thousands and thousands of dollars apart.
“It certainly looks like these appraisals have been low-balled,” stated White.
He said the court settlements back up that claim.”
Giardina, A.J. WLOX Channel 13 18 September 2013.