County tax collection issue still alive
BY MARY PERHAM THE LEADER

BATH - An installment plan for Steuben County property taxes remains under review by the county Legislature's Administration Committee.

County Legislator Fran Gehl, DCorning City, said Tuesday the county should consider giving property owners the option of paying their annual taxes in three payments during the county's traditional tax collection period.

The county and towns collect property taxes in January, with a slight penalty added if the taxes are paid in February or March. Town tax collectors can only accept a single payment for the total taxes.

Any outstanding taxes after March are considered delinquent and sent to the county for collection.

The county Treasurer's Office then offers the deliquent property owner an opportunity to pay the back taxes in a 24-month installment plan. The county charges a 5 percent administrative fee plus a monthly charge of 1 percent of the unpaid balance. The owner must also remain current with any new taxes.

"But see, some people don't like to be delinquent," Gehl said. "They don't want to have to go through that in order to have the installment plan."

Gehl said allowing taxpayers to pay in three equal amounts from January to March would help them meet their obligations without being turned over to the Treasurer's Office for collection