Property tax deadline looms Monday

Frances Vaughn in the Callaway County Collector's office helps taxpayers as they file their personal property taxes Thursday. Taxes are due by mail or in person to the office by Monday, Dec. 31.
Frances Vaughn in the Callaway County Collector's office helps taxpayers as they file their personal property taxes Thursday. Taxes are due by mail or in person to the office by Monday, Dec. 31.

Callaway County residents have until Monday to return their property and real estate tax payments to the county collector's office.

Callaway County Collector Pam Oestreich said property tax collection is currently at approximately 70 percent, which she said is normal for this time.

"We're hoping for high 90s - 95, 96 percent," Oestreich said. "I'm usually billed with about $25 million (in personal property and real estate taxes) and we collect usually all but about $1 million."

She cautioned that tax payments returned on Jan. 1 or after will be considered delinquent and will be subject o penalties.

"The first month is 9 percent in penalties and interest, and every month thereafter it goes up 2 percent," Oestreich said.

Collected taxes go to fund local cities, schools, fire districts, the library, county road and bridge and Callaway County Special Services.

Oestreich said there are several ways Callaway residents can make their payments: Online at www.callawaycollector.com; in person at the collector's office, located in the Callaway County Courthouse at 10 E. Fifth St. in Fulton, in a drop box in front of the courthouse or by mail.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.