Oktibbeha County adjudicates insolvent taxes and reviews collection contract results

The Oktibbeha County Board voted to adjudicate insolvent taxes for mobile homes and personal property and acknowledged receipt of a Department of Revenue certification. The board also discussed the county’s contract with an outside collections firm and the amount the firm has collected.

Treasurer or staff member Jo Hennel Hawkins presented lists for adjudication and noted additions that came in after the packet was prepared. The board voted to adjudicate insolvent mobile home taxes for tax year 2025 and to adjudicate insolvent personal property taxes for tax year 2024. The board also acknowledged receipt of the Mississippi Department of Revenue certification; the chair recorded the acknowledgment as passing 5-0.

Staff described the county’s contract with American Financial Services (identified in the meeting as the collections vendor) to pursue outstanding personal property and mobile home accounts. Staff said the vendor has collected approximately 15% of roughly “1 point something million dollars” that had been outstanding since January; staff said the contractor sends notices, calls debtors, and provides daily reports of collections and payment arrangements at no upfront cost to the county. Board members said the arrangement appeared to be working and asked staff to provide detailed collection reports to the board.

Ending: The board approved the adjudications and acknowledged the certification; staff will provide detailed collection reports and continue to monitor the outside collections contract’s performance.