Washington County to advertise $793,959.48 in unpaid 2020 property-tax liens

The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Feb. 1 to authorize the Tax Office to advertise $793,959.48 in unpaid 2020 property taxes as liens on real property.

Sherri M. Wilkins, Tax Office Administrator, told the board the total unpaid 2020 taxes that are liens on real property stood at $793,959.48 as of Jan. 31, 2021 and said letters will be mailed in March combining the Debt Set-off notice with the Notice of Lien Advertisement. Wilkins said delinquent taxes will be advertised in April pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. §105-369(a) and that the tax office has already begun collections measures, including wage garnishments and bank attachments. She said taxpayers can set up monthly payment agreements to pay by June 2021 and that defaults on those agreements will be met with collection enforcement, including possible foreclosure.

The board approved a motion by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Keyes, allowing the Tax Administrator to advertise unpaid 2020 taxes that are liens on real property. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all five commissioners voting yea.

Wilkins also noted the timing rule that taxes must be delinquent for 60 days before a Debt Set-off letter can be sent; the office plans to mail the combined second notice in March. Delinquent Tax Coordinator Darlene Harrison has begun wage garnishments and bank attachments while tax staff work with taxpayers on payment plans.

The action does not itself foreclose properties; Wilkins said the county may refer delinquent amounts for foreclosure after advertisement per state statute. The county did not provide a year-over-year percentage comparison for delinquent totals at the meeting; Wilkins said she did not have that percentage on hand.