Friday, June 04, 1999
Residents protest early tax deadline
Butler treasurer is moving office
BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
HAMILTON — The tax man is coming to Butler County about two weeks early this summer, and some residents don't like it one bit.
The property tax bills for the second half of 1998, which began hitting mailboxes last week, normally aren't due until mid-July. But this summer the bills must be paid by June 28.
The reason: The county treasurer's office is moving three blocks to the new Government Services Center in downtown Hamilton, and the staff needs the extra time to get the tax collection processed and the office moved, said Carole Mosketti, administrative assistant to Butler County Treasurer Mary Law.
“It's just another example of government at work and gouging you a couple of weeks early,” West Chester resident James Forrester said.
“I don't like it, but either way it's not going to bankrupt me. Certainly it would make a difference to people who are on a very tight budget.”
“We just needed that two-week leeway,” Mrs. Mosketti said. “We just feel bad about all of it, but under the circumstances we're hoping that (residents will) be able to go along with us.”
She said the office in March notified property owners of the new pay date.
But that didn't satisfy Alma Whitson. The Liberty Township resident called the county commissioners' office to complain after she got her tax bill Saturday.
“It think it's kind of crum my; just because they're moving right down the street, they move it up two weeks,” she said. “It's usually due on July 12, and that wouldn't have bothered me. It's a big letdown that they did it this way.”
She said her parents, who live in Wayne Township and are on a fixed income, could end up paying a penalty because they won't receive their regular checks until after July1.
At least half a dozen taxpayers have called county offices complaining about the early payment deadline.
The situation isn't sitting well with the Butler County commissioners, who wrote a letter to Mrs. Law asking her to reinstate the traditional pay date, typically the second Monday in July.
“The county commissioners are very concerned about it,” said Brad Beckett, a commission spokesman. “A lot of people who are on fixed incomes budget their money accordingly. This will put a crimp on some folks' budgets.”
While saying the treasurer's office is sympathetic, Mrs. Mosketti maintained the due date had to be moved to accommodate the relocation.
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