Tax Collector Reports 99% Levy Collection and Increased Delinquent Tax Payments

The Ashe County Commission meeting on August 18, 2025, focused on the tax collector's settlement for the fiscal year 2025, highlighting significant improvements in tax collection and delinquency management.

During the meeting, the tax collector presented a detailed overview of the previous year's collections, noting a beginning levy of $28,042,837. Throughout the year, the county identified additional taxable properties, resulting in discoveries totaling $757,483, primarily from public utilities. After accounting for releases and corrections, the current levy increased to $28,764,606.77.

A notable trend discussed was the increase in early tax payments, with discounts totaling $402,471.25 offered to residents. The total payments for county taxes, emergency services, fire, penalties, and fees reached $27,592,392.92, reflecting a collection rate of 99.83% of the original levy and 97% of the current levy—both figures showing improvement over the previous year.

Delinquent tax collections also saw a positive trend, with nearly $1.3 million collected through various methods, including mailing bills and advertising. The total amount collected for the current year and all prior years was reported at $29,455,639, with over 41,000 transactions processed by the tax office.

Additionally, motor vehicle tax collections were strong, achieving a 98% collection rate, while occupancy tax collections increased slightly to $560,893.12 compared to the previous year.

The meeting concluded with a call for questions, emphasizing the county's ongoing efforts to enhance tax collection efficiency and reduce delinquent accounts.