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Treasurer's report: Arlington's FY25 tax delinquencies remain low while food assistance demand rises
Summary
Treasurer's office reported an FY25 tax delinquency rate of 0.185% and described collection initiatives (CAP portal, automatic bank debit, TAP loans, new QR codes), while county leaders warned SNAP eligibility changes and the federal shutdown have increased demand for AFAC and local food support.
At the county board meeting on Nov. 18, Kim Rucker of the Treasurer's office delivered the FY25 tax delinquency report on behalf of Treasurer Carla de la Pava and outlined collection programs and emerging community needs.
Rucker said the delinquency rate at the end of FY25 rose slightly to 0.185% but remains under one quarter of one percent, an indication of the treasurer's continued collection performance. Rucker reported the collection year began with more than $16 million in unpaid taxes and that non‑real estate delinquencies were driven largely by vehicle taxes, which rose to represent 82% of total delinquencies by year end. Business tangible delinquencies briefly increased after the due date but the office reduced those delinquencies by the end of the collection year.
The Treasurer's office credited new customer outreach and payment tools for improved collections: the CAP online portal for payments and account updates, expanded automatic bank debit (ABD) programs that brought in more than $60 million in taxes this year, and a taxpayer assistance program (TAP) in partnership with John Marshall Bank offering short‑term tax loans (10% origination fee, no interest). Rucker also described new QR codes on delinquency notices that helped more than 1,400 customers pay nearly $1 million earlier in the collection year and a personal property partial payment pilot (P6) planned for January to allow monthly installment payments for car taxes.
At the same time, the board discussed sharply rising community need for food assistance after changes in federal SNAP policy and the federal shutdown. Chair Carantones noted the county added emergency funding for AFAC and highlighted on‑line resource maps, SNAP timing changes and VENA program rules (retention periods for emergency nutrition assistance). Managers warned that AFAC weekly demand is above 3,500 households and that shelter use, eviction filings and unemployment indicators point to mounting short‑term needs.
Board members thanked the Treasurer's office for outreach and collection work while pressing staff on the effect of added collector positions and the fiscal effects of rising social‑service demand going into FY26.
