COUNTY BILLS COMMUNITIES' TAXES

JACKSON -- Cape Girardeau County Collector Harold D. Keuhle doesn't want property owners in Jackson and Allenville to be surprised when they get only one tax bill for 1996.

The county, which collects its own taxes and those for Cape Girardeau and Whitewater, will for the first time this year collect Jackson's and Allenville's. The county recently mailed 1996 tax statements.

"It's a money-saving procedure for the cities," Keuhle said. "They use our tax codes for their assessments anyway. This is a one-stop deal."

Jackson Mayor Paul Sander said the city entered into a contract with the county to collect its taxes because there were no downsides to the arrangement.

"It has caused some confusion for the people who don't notice that the city's taxes have been added on to their county bill," said Sander. "They might think the county has just had a big tax increase.

"But it's more convenient for the citizens: They can pay their taxes all in one place. And the contract will certainly cost us less than to collect the taxes ourselves."

Jackson voters eliminated the city tax collector's job in November. Beverly Nelson, who holds that position, was in favor of the change and wrote letters on its behalf. By eliminating that salary from the budget, Jackson easily will cover the cost of the contract with the county, which is several thousand dollars a year, Sander said.

Keuhle said the single tax collection will make it cheaper for city residents and city governments and does not require any additional work from the county collector's office.

Kuehle said: "Instead of a person from Jackson having to go to the Jackson City Hall to pay their city taxes, then come here to pay their county taxes, they can just come here. Or mail it in."

A prepared statement from the collector's office said those who do not get a tax bill this year should not assume they do not owe taxes.

"If you own real estate you owe a tax," Keuhle said. "Whoever ends up with property at the end of the year is responsible to see that the taxes are paid, regardless of whether you receive a tax bill for the property or not.

"If you own real estate and do not receive a tax bill for the property within three weeks, please contact my office. We will track the bill and make sure you receive it."

Failing to pay property taxes by the Jan. 1 deadline will result in a 2 percent interest penalty a month until the bill is paid or the penalty reaches 18 percent. There can be additional costs added to late payments.

"We don't have low interest and penalties," Keuhle said. "They can get pretty expensive."

Kuehle said as of Wednesday all of the tax bills had been sent out. The bills were mailed in groups over a 5-day period, but not in a particular order.