Barnesville Considers Outsourcing Property Tax Billing to Tax Commissioner

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The City of Barnesville is exploring a partnership with the local tax commissioner's office to handle property tax billing and collections, after facing issues with its own error-plagued system that has led to significant unpaid taxes and utility bills. The city council discussed the proposal at a recent meeting, with the interim city manager strongly recommending the move to leverage the county's more efficient and streamlined tax collection process.

Why it matters

Barnesville's property tax billing problems have resulted in over $160,000 in delinquent taxes and $200,000 in unpaid utility bills, highlighting the need for a more reliable and effective system. Outsourcing to the county tax commissioner could help address these issues and improve the city's overall financial management.

The details

At a recent city council meeting, Interim City Manager Carter Crawford recommended partnering with Tax Commissioner Lesley Killchriss and her office to handle property tax billing and collections. Crawford noted that the county's fees are generally 3-5%, and that the process would be "a lot more simple" with the tax commissioner's office already prepared to manage the task. Councilman Joe Sims acknowledged that his name was on the city's delinquent taxpayer list, citing issues with the city's "computer system" and the need to "have the county do our taxes or get a computer system that works".

• The city council discussed the proposal at its Feb. 2 meeting.
• In December, Interim City Manager Carter Crawford told the council that the city was owed $160,000 in back property taxes and over $200,000 in unpaid utility bills.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The city council will likely vote on whether to partner with the county tax commissioner's office to handle property tax billing and collections in the coming weeks.