The wait is now on.

The Mississippi Supreme Court has heard arguments in the City of Laurel’s annexation quest for portions of the community of Shady Grove.

Jackson attorney Jerry Mills, representing the City of Laurel, and attorney Tim Hancock of Jackson, representing the opponents of the annexation, presented their oral arguments before the Supreme Court Monday afternoon.

Now, residents, business owners and city officials await the courts ruling.

However, many of those in the 2.5 square miles of Mississippi Highway 15 north that has been proposed for annexation are against becoming part of the City of Laurel.

During the oral hearings, where each side was given 20 minutes to present their case, the attorneys presented their cases.

Mills said the City of Laurel is already providing water and sewer services to much of the Shady Grove area.

Hancock, however, says no one in the proposed area wants to be annexed by Laurel.

Some of the residents contacted by the Leader-Call Tuesday agree.

“It’s all about the dollars and cents,” one business owner said. “I Love Laurel, but I don’t want my taxes to go up.”

Martha Windham, owner of Bee Happy Natural Foods in the Tall Oak Plaza, agreed, adding that she’s not in favor of the annexation.

“I’m personally against it. I know there are some benefits -- some pros, but there are also some cons,” Windham said. “I would prefer to pay less taxes.”

Leona McDonald, the former owner of Bee Happy, said it was the city taxes that made her decide to locate in the Tall Oak Plaza on Highway 15.

“The whole purpose for moving out here in 2000 was to avoid all the taxes,” McDonald said. “My shop was originally in the shopping center across from Kroger’s and I moved out here because it was out of the city, near the highway and I didn’t have to pay city taxes. ... If they annex, the rent and city taxes will all go up.”

Rex Jones, a Shady Grove resident, said he’s not in favor of the annexation.