Brandon Twp.- The treasurer’s office collected nearly a million dollars on Tuesday as residents paid their property taxes on the last day to pay without penalty. But even with the $902,000 collected that day added to the $7.5 million collected previously for winter taxes, the township was still short about $1 million, with only 89 percent of taxes collected.
‘In normal years, we would have 94 to 96 percent collected by this time,? said Treasurer Terry Beltramo. We are down about 6 to 7 percent.?
The township should collect about $9.5 million for winter taxes. For both summer and winter, nearly $20 million is due to be collected. Beltramo said as of this week, only $17 million had been collected for the year. He blames the economy.
‘I feel really bad when anyone comes in and can’t afford to pay,? he said. ‘It’s hurting their families and it really bothers me. But I don’t set the taxes, I only collect them.? Not collecting all of them hurts everyone. The county will pay the township for initial delinquencies, but if the county is unable to collect, they return to the township for the money. Township officials, in turn, take money back from the fire department budget, library, and police.
‘It’s not only the township operating funds that suffer, it’s everybody,? Beltramo said.
‘So far, we’ve given back $10,000 to the county in the last three months. It’s not that much when you look at $20 million, but still, that money has been spent and now we have to come up with it.?
There is nothing the treasurer can do to delay taxes or the 3 percent penalty levied on delinquent taxpayers. He suggests taxpayers make partial payments year-round rather than taking the hit of having to pay a lump sum.
Late taxpayers can still pay at the treasurer’s office, 395 Mill St., until March 1, with a 3 percent penalty. After that time, taxes must be paid directly to Oakland County.