LIMA — Allen County school districts will have more dollars available thanks to more money coming in on delinquent property taxes.
Treasurer Rachael Gilroy told Allen County Commissioners the delinquency rate has fallen from 12.71 percent in 2013 when she became treasurer to 7.99 percent today. The office collects about $100 million in total property taxes annually, she said.
“There’s still some work to do, obviously, but the numbers are going in the right direction,” she said.
Gilroy credits her staff and the prosecutor’s office. She’s made it a priority. As a former school board member, Gilroy said schools receive 70 percent of revenue from property tax. Even though a levy is for a specific amount, the taxes still have to be collected and when there are shortages, schools have to adjust, she said.
The treasurer’s office also has increased ways to pay by phone and over the Internet. They also remind people of the 10 percent penalty if taxes are late, she said.
Commissioner Jay Begg said lowering the amount collected is huge and could translate to school boards not asking for more money because the delinquency rate is down meaning more money for schools.
Gilroy did not have available the amount the decrease in delinquency translates to.
Gilroy said her goal is to move into the 6 percent range next year.
