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Centre County adopts resolution to raise per‑parcel payment for elected tax collectors
Summary
The Board of Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 4 of 2025 to increase the county portion of per‑parcel payments to elected tax collectors, raising the county share from $2 to $2.50 for 2026–27 and to $3 for 2028–29; commissioners said the increase reflects technology changes and long intervals since prior increases.
The Centre County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution No. 4 of 2025 to increase the county portion of per‑parcel compensation for elected local tax collectors.
The resolution raises the county per‑parcel payment from $2 to $2.50 for tax years 2026 and 2027, and to $3 per parcel for 2028 and 2029. The county estimated the fiscal impact as roughly $20,580 for the 2026–27 increase and an additional $20,588 for 2028–29, for a total county cost of about $41,160 over the four tax years covered by the resolution.
Jen, the department head for Tax Claim and Collection, presented the proposal and explained that many tax collectors had expressed concern that rates had not kept pace with inflation and new software and reporting responsibilities. “We feel that it's a nice compensation for the tax collectors. They do a really good job and work really hard to keep their constituents happy,” Jen said.
Commissioners said the county portion is only one component of a tax collector’s compensation, which usually also includes municipal and school district payments. The board cited examples from 2023 showing a wide range of total annual compensation: roughly $1,055 for the Benner Independent district and about $50,000 for Phillipsburg Borough, with county payments of about $170 and $2,542 respectively in those examples.
The resolution was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board also reminded taxpayers that the new tax bill format and the major party petition signature process for elected tax collectors would begin February 18.
The county said the increases reflect a roughly 50% rise in the county portion over three years and are intended to help tax collectors adapt to changing technology and workload without unduly burdening county finances.
