By Steve Grazier
The Cortez Journal
8/10/04

A new payment method for property taxes in Montezuma County could be in the works to help streamline the process for taxpayers.

County treasurer Sandy Greenlee said she is currently in the information-gathering stage regarding a credit card payment method.

"This option would seem to be more convenient for people who live out of town," Greenlee said. "It's also, hopefully, another service we can provide to our taxpayers."

In addition to the property tax, Greenlee said a (credit card company) service fee would be passed on to the card holder.

"The percent would be whatever the card company we go with requests," she said.

A state office survey of Colorado's 64 counties shows 15 counties using a credit card payment option for property taxes.

Greenlee said she would likely make her pitch and recommendation to county commissioners in approximately two weeks for their consideration or approval.

"We need to do this quickly so the new information can be added to the fall tax bills," Greenlee said.

Property tax payments that are made in full are due to the county by April 30 for the previous year. Payments in excess of $25 dollars that are divided into two installments are due Feb. 28, for the first payment, and June 15 for the second.

Greenlee said it wouldn't cost the county to implement a new payment option because card holders make their payments directly to the card company.

For 2004, the assessed property tax value in the county is set at $247,628,740, in which 28 percent of the net comes from residential property and 22 percent from commercial.

Mortgage Rates News, Mortgage News, Financial News