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Opelousas officials warn of backlog in property tax processing; interest to start Feb. 1 for unpaid bills
Summary
City property tax staff told the City Council a backlog in mailed tax payments is delaying posting; residents who mailed water and tax payments together face slower processing. Interest of 1% will be applied beginning Feb. 1 to unpaid bills received after Jan. 31.
Yosha Payne, the city property tax clerk, told the Opelousas City Council on Jan. 14 that mailed property tax payments are being processed more slowly this year and asked residents for patience.
“We're in the process of continually processing those mailed payments. Please be patient with us,” Payne said. She told the council that interest fees will not be added to bills postmarked or received on or before Jan. 31; starting Feb. 1, an interest rate of 1% will be added to unpaid property tax bills.
The council was told staff are also encountering mail that includes both tax and water payments in the same envelope. Payne said those mixed envelopes must be routed to the water department, which can delay processing of the water payment. “There’s only two of us right now that’s processing the mail payments,” Payne said, describing a backlog of mailed bills.
Clerk Lisa (Miss Lisa) and Finance Director Lawanda Saint Anne told the council the problems began with a late start at the state and with a software vendor. Saint Anne said the state delayed sending material this year, which pushed the city’s schedule back. Miss Lisa advised property owners to contact the assessor’s office if their mailing address needs correction; she said the assessor’s office provides the address list that the city’s vendor uses to mail bills.
Council members pressed for clarity about staffing and timeline. Alderman Sherrell Roberts asked why the mail processing was delayed; Payne and Miss Lisa said the change in teller duties and a switch to a different vendor are the primary factors. Payne said certified notices for unpaid taxes will be mailed in March and a certified notice fee will be added at that time.
The council was also told online and in-person payments post immediately; mail-in payments are subject to the backlog. Residents who have not received a bill were directed to the city website for bill lookup or to contact the clerk’s office; Miss Lisa emphasized that only the assessor’s office can change mailing addresses on tax bills.
The council did not take formal action on the matter. City officials said they are working with the vendor and the state and will continue processing mail payments as quickly as staffing permits.
