Commissioners discuss potential split tax billing to ease holiday payment burden

Commissioners debated whether to allow property taxpayers to pay a single annual tax bill in two installments, a change some residents say would ease financial strain during the holiday season.

A commissioner said the idea had been raised in public meetings and argued that dividing the bill into two payments could help property owners who hold multiple properties. "It would cost about around 30,000 per year now to mail this out," the commissioner said while discussing logistical and cost implications. Staff explained the county issues tax bills in October and that the timeline is tied to the county fiscal year (ending Sept. 30) and state Department of Revenue processing; taxes cannot be calculated until state digest approvals are complete. Commissioners agreed the change would require more study — including cost, assessment timing and system changes — and asked staff to examine options between now and next year rather than implement an immediate change.

No formal vote was taken; the board instructed staff to return with options and cost estimates at a later meeting or as part of the next budget cycle.