By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
CARTHAGE, Mo. — If all tax bills are paid, nearly $65 million will pass through the Jasper County collector’s office this year, according to Steve Holt, county collector.
His office has mailed tax bills for 2009. The taxes must be paid by Dec. 31.
For the first time this year, the office will accept payments via debit card, but not for the $2 charge announced in the tax bill mailing, Holt said.
He said he negotiated that flat rate with the companies that handle the card payments, but then was informed after the tax forms were printed that the companies instead would charge a fee of 1.5 percent of the total bill.
The office also takes credit card payments, and Holt said he negotiated a lower rate for those payments.
“The rate on credit card bills will be 3 percent; before, it has been 3.9 percent,” he said. “In both cases, that money goes to the card companies, not the county.”
On a $500 tax bill, the fee would be $7.50 for using a debit card, and $15 for using a credit card.
Holt said the county also will accept partial payments, but interest and penalties for late payment apply to the full amount of the tax bill.
The tax bills reflect personal and real estate taxes assessed by a variety of taxing entitles and collected by the county. Ten school districts in the county are the primary beneficiaries of the taxes. If all taxes are paid, school districts will share more than $50 million — more than $35 million in real estate taxes and nearly $15 million in personal property taxes.
Jasper County collects taxes for nearly 20 taxing entities, including school districts, cities, the state of Missouri, fire and road districts, and boards that allocate county funds to the developmentally disabled and those with mental problems.
Tax payments may be mailed, paid at collector’s offices in the county courthouse in Carthage or the Jasper County Courts Building at Sixth Street and Pearl Avenue in Joplin, or left in after-hours drop boxes at those buildings.
Carthage, Jasper County
Jasper County residents can use debit cards for tax payments
- Carthage, Jasper County
-
-
Carthage attorney, reformer of revenue department, dies
James R. Spradling, a Carthage attorney who was noted for his reform of the Missouri Department of Revenue in the 1970s, died at 5:50 a.m. Monday at McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital.
-
Bondswoman charged with false imprisonment
A bail bondswoman from Carthage is facing a charge of false imprisonment for allegedly attempting to put a man in jail without a judge’s order, then taking him home and handcuffing him to the banister of a staircase until a friend of the man paid her his bond money.
-
Man’s last statement to be given to defendant
A judge ruled Monday that the Jasper County prosecutor must provide attorneys for Darren J. Winans with a videotaped statement co-defendant Matthew D. Laurin made about the Sheldon murders shortly before killing himself.
-
Carthage proposes 1.6-cent rise in city property tax
A drop in the assessed value of Carthage real estate will translate to an increase of about 1.6 cents in the city’s proposed property tax rate.
-
Open house to celebrate projects at courthouse
Projects completed last year at the Jasper County Courthouse will be celebrated in ceremonies Thursday in the courthouse lobby.
County officials will join representatives of local chambers of commerce and others for a ribbon-cutting and open house to mark the opening of a Route 66 display in the lobby and a new “peace star” atop the building. -
State budget cuts reduce county funds
County officials are bracing for more state budget cuts to translate into a loss of county revenues.
In an effort to balance Missouri’s budget, the state earlier this year cut the amount it reimburses county assessors for work to determine property values. The budget approved by lawmakers for fiscal 2011 calls for cutting the amount the state reimburses counties to house prisoners bound for state lockup. -
Jo Ellis: County home to rare yellowwood tree
In late spring, drifts as white as snow fill the gutters and curbs on the east side of the Jasper County Courthouse. It isn’t snow, of course; it’s the fallen petals of the yellowwood tree that grows squarely in front of the door to the Jasper County Extension office.
-
Jasper County Commission gets building project update
Plans to close out one building project and start another were reviewed by the Jasper County Commission last week.
Darieus Adams, Western District associate commissioner, met Thursday with officials of the firm who designed a $292,400 project to upgrade the lighting and make other changes to make four county-owned buildings more energy efficient. -
Two men running for associate judge in 39th Circuit take case to court
Two men running for associate judge in Missouri’s 39th Circuit began battling it out in a Jasper County courtroom this week.
Jasper County Circuit Judge Gayle Crane heard arguments Wednesday concerning the disclosure of documents sought by Robert “Bobby” George, Aurora, the current Lawrence County prosecutor. -
Unveiling ceremony celebrates CHS tiger
Kandy Frazier, Carthage High School principal, summed it up once the new addition to the CHS campus was unveiled Thursday.
The bronze tiger sculpture created by Carthage artist and sculptor Bob Tommey, she said, is the kind of work that would be found at a big university. - More Carthage, Jasper County Headlines
-
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
