LTE: Full Property Tax Payment Due May 2nd : Pay On-Line
Thank you to all the property owners who have already paid their taxes. We have collected 25% more money earlier this year than we did last year. This helps the taxing authorities that survive on property tax dollars. Taxing Authorities are organizations such as our school districts, fire districts, water and sanitation districts.
The “full payment” deadline is May 2nd. For those of you who already paid your first half payment, your next deadline is June 15th. We implemented paying by debit card this year, and reduced our credit card fees from 2.5% to 2.19% (none of these fees go to the County – they all go to the credit card provider). Plastic card payments are up 300% so far this year over last year. This is good, as paper checks are costly, and they have to go through the mail – very inefficient.
There is an option that does not cost you, the tax payer, any extra fees, not even a stamp. Nor does paying by e-check cost the County extra money! To pay by e-check, go on-line to the La Plata County website at: http://co.laplata.co.us and provide your checking account routing number and checking account number. Based on feedback from those of you who have used this option, we have made a number of improvements. Please, keep telling us how we can do better!
Here are two additional things you can do to help reduce processing costs. If you have a mortgage, chances are your mortgage company pays your property taxes. If this is the case, do not send us a payment. We will have to send your check back to you. Also, the credit card and debit card provider adds their name (Gila LLC) to your transaction. When you get your bank statement, you will see this unusual name. Please do not stop payment on this. If you do, you will be charged a fee for doing so.
Thank you from the La Plata County Treasurer’s Office, and our taxing authorities, for your support in making our community healthy.
Allison Aichele Morrissey
La Plata County Treasurer