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County reports higher collections, new early turnover for delinquent personal property
Summary
County collection contractor and the Tax Assessor-Collector reported improved collection rates, a planned early turnover of delinquent personal property taxes this spring, and expanded outreach including text-message campaigns. Officials urged residents to use the county website, lockbox or get postmarks to avoid penalties.
County officials and the collections contractor briefed the Commissioners Court on delinquent-tax and fine-and-fee collection activity and December collections.
Otilia Gonzales of Fielder Collins and Mott LLP said a tax sale is scheduled for March 3, described a new early-turnover procedure for delinquent tangible personal property (accounts delinquent on Feb. 1 would be turned over April 1 for earlier collection work), and reported continued collection activity across accounts in litigation, action pending and deferral categories. Gonzales said the contractor has expanded outreach tools and has sent tens of thousands of text-message reminders to debtors in addition to letters.
Tax Assessor-Collector Carolyn Mickey reviewed December collections and said the office brought three new jurisdictions into its collection service this year. Mickey said December receipts were significantly higher than a year earlier and advised residents about ways to pay taxes and vehicle registrations (online, mail, courthouse or the annex lockbox), reminding residents that postmark cancellations from the U.S. Postal Service — not meter stamps — are required to preserve mailing dates for penalty avoidance.
Both presenters said staff will continue to work on outreach and address-research to locate people with bad addresses and encourage voluntary resolution before litigation.
