State of Mississippi Rejects Resolution Passed by the City of Oxford to Allow Sale of Antebellum Home Cedar Oaks

The City of Oxford Board of Aldermen voted on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 in favor of passing a resolution to allow a sale of the city-owned antebellum home.

Voting in favor of the resolution were Aldermen Brian Hyneman of Ward III, Kesha Howell Atkinson of Ward IV, and Preston Taylor of Ward V. Voting against the resolution were Aldermen Rick Addy of Ward I (where Cedar Oaks is located), Jason Bailey of Ward VI, and new Alderman-at-Large Mary Martha Crowe.

Because Ward II Alderman Mark Huelse was absent from the meeting, there was a tie, which triggered Mayor Robyn Tannehill to cast a vote. Mayor Tannehill voted in favor of the resolution to allow a sale. The audience at the Board of Alderman meeting erupted in a chorus of “boos” and walked out.

On Wednesday, February 21, Mayor Tannehill posted an update to social media which read, “At 8:00 this morning the City Clerk received an email from Shane Barnett, Chairman of the House Local and Private Committee announcing that the committee would only be considering resolutions for local and private legislation that had passed from the local entities with a unanimous vote. Mr. Barnette also noted that the new deadline for submission of such legislation would now be March 22, 2024.

The City’s vote on local and private legislation last night related to the public trust language that preceded the warranty deed from Cedar Oaks, was not passed by a unanimous vote. Therefore, Oxford will not pursue the change in Local and Private Legislation considered at last night’s Board of Alderman meeting.

I look forward to community discussions regarding how Cedar Oaks can be more sustainable, in the best interests of all the citizens of Oxford.”