New escrow tax service launches in county

<span>CHESTER -- Taxpayers in Randolph County have a new option in how they pay their real estate taxes.</span>

<span>Randolph County Treasurer Justin Jeffers said the county's new monthly installment plan for real estate taxes launched this week. Taxpayers can set up an interest-free escrow account out of which real estate taxes can be paid incrementally instead of all at once when the bills come due.</span>

<span>"This should be easier for people to pay their taxes in smaller amounts spread throughout the year," Jeffers said. "The more options we have, the less delinquent taxpayers we'll have."</span>

<span>The escrow accounts will be managed by the County Treasurer's office and the program will have open enrollment until the end of May. Tax prepayments will stay in-county at a local bank.</span>

<span>"We will not spend that money before it is due," Jeffers said. "We also have a manual ledger that will be used to keep track (of payments).</span>

<span>"Everybody who makes a payment (into the escrow account) gets a certified receipt."</span>

<span>Randolph County residents who are interested in the service can stop in at the Treasurer's Office at the Randolph County Courthouse or request an application. Once the application has been filled out, the Treasurer's Office can start receiving payments.</span>

<span>"Our office recognizes these are difficult times," Jeffers said. "Whatever we can do to make this easier is part of what this service is."</span>

<span>Jeffers said there is no minimum or maximum deposit limit into the escrow account and taxpayers aren't required to deposit funds into the account every month. Unlike similar services in other counties, there will not be a charge for using this service.</span>

<span>"We hope this will alleviate the stress of worrying about it in July," he said. "Our office won't make a fee off of this. Our office is trying to offer another option for satisfying payment."</span>

<span>In the future, Jeffers said he hopes to offer automatic withdraw and online banking with the escrow account.</span>

<span>"We are in the initial stages," he said. "This initial step is leading us in the right direction. Please feel free to contact our office at any time.</span>

<span>"We're always glad to help."</span>

<span>Interested taxpayers will need to provide a parcel ID number and property address on their application in addition to name, mailing address, email address and telephone number. Preferred method of payment is check, cash, money order or cashier's check.</span>

<span>For more information, call the Treasurer's Office at 618-826-5000 ext. 224.</span>

<span>"I feel this is a good service for the taxpayers," Jeffers said. "Some counties are doing payment plans and dividing tax payments into eight payments. I don't want to do that because some people have different financial situations.</span>

<span>"They can budget this and we will take care of everything."</span>