Meeker County property records director reports slight uptick in delinquencies; announces retirement effective May 15

Barb Locke, Meeker County Property Records director, presented the county’s delinquent‑tax summary and collections trends during the Feb. 18 meeting. Locke told commissioners that the county’s collection metrics for 2024 followed the typical settlement schedule: roughly 55% collected at the May primary settlement, about 82% by October, and ending the year at about 99.09% collected. She said that left roughly 0.901% of the current‑year levy unpaid, which she reported as approximately $148,000 in current‑year taxes outstanding at year end; she also said the total remaining years (including earlier unpaid years) was about $208,000.

Locke cautioned that single large taxpayers or late payments can affect annual figures. She told the board that staff monitor trends and sometimes see variations because a single taxpayer’s timing can skew totals; she said the county’s year‑end numbers are lower than 2020 highs but showed a small upward tick. When commissioners asked whether the office compares results with neighboring counties, Locke said she occasionally does and that state Department of Revenue resources provide comparative trends.

Locke also used the meeting to announce she will retire from full‑time employment effective May 15 and said she is available for limited contract work and to help transition staff. She said she has 25-plus years in county service and noted the timing after the first settlement season was chosen to ease transition workloads.

The presentation was informational; no board action was required on the delinquent‑tax figures or on Locke’s retirement announcement at the Feb. 18 meeting.