Schuylkill County is updating its tax collectors policy manual.
The 2015 manual includes several updated items to comply with House Bill 1590, which was passed late last year. The legislation requires certification of tax collectors, the appointment of a deputy tax collector and criminal background checks when filing for election. The manual also includes a full explanation of tax collector performance bond coverage. Tax collectors will have to sign an acknowledgement of understanding for the entire content of the manual.
The county commissioners will vote on the changes at a public meeting Wednesday. The manual will also be posted on both the county website at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us and under the “notes” section on the treasurer’s office website.
A total of $32,811,341.46 in real estate taxes were collected in 2014, according to the annual treasurer’s report. An average of 92 percent was collected from the county’s 67 municipalities with 1 percent being exonerated and 7 percent being delinquent.
Last year, $27,712,188.38 was collected. The average from all municipalities was 91 percent with 2 percent being exonerated and 7 percent being delinquent.
The county collected more in real estate taxes last year due to a 2 mill increase, county Treasurer Jacqueline V. McGovern said. In 2014, county real estate taxes increased for the first time in nine years from 11.98 to 13.98 mills.
McGovern also noted the average collected in Butler Township jumped from 71 to 92 percent over the year. McGovern said that was because the Wal-Mart Distribution Center at Highridge North Business Park lost its Keystone Opportunity Zone status that year.
The county collected $326,145 in its $5 per capita tax last year, down slightly from $331,980 in 2013. In 2014, an average of 66 percent was collected from all municipalities with 9 percent being exonerated and 24 percent being delinquent. In 2013, an average of 67 percent was collected while 11 percent was exonerated and 23 percent was delinquent.
In other news, the commissioners approved a 2 percent salary increase for the Pottsville tax collector, currently Ellen Micka, each year from 2016 to 2019.
The commissioners’ retirement board meeting will be held Feb. 11 immediately following the public meeting.