Property tax bills arriving in Madison County

 

EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Treasurer Kurt Prenzler said property owners can expect to see increases in their upcoming tax bills anywhere from “a little to a lot.”

“I don’t determine the taxes,” Prenzler said. “I’m only the tax collector. The property tax bill is determined by four factors — the assessment, the equalization factor or ‘multiplier,’ the tax rate and the exemptions.”

Prenzler said his office is set to mail tax bills for more than 135,000 parcels this week.

“The first due date is July 7,” Prenzler said. “By law, the tax bill must be mailed no later than 30 days before the first installment due date.”

Property taxes jumped in some districts, while in other areas there was little change.

Prenzler said homeowners should notice the biggest chunk of money that’s collected will go to school districts.

“Taxes for the 21 school districts, including community college districts totals $250 million,” Prenzler said. “It’s an overall 6.2 percent increase from the previous year.”

The largest increases were in the Triad and Granite City school districts at 18.2 and 15.3 percent respectively. The levy for Lewis and Clark Community College increased 10.7 percent.

“There were townships, towns and other taxing bodies that actually saw a decrease in their levy requests,” Prenzler said. “For example, the village of Godfrey cut its levy by 2 percent.”

Prenzler is reminding taxpayers they can “pay online, rather than in line.” He said taxpayers still have the option of making an immediate payment using an electronic check or credit card at www.madcotreasurer.org, or they can set up the four installment payments using either method.

“Anyone who scheduled their four installments last year will not be required to do anything this year,” he said.

Taxpayers are reminded that when they change their address with the U.S. Postal Service that mail is only forwarded for one year.

“It’s important for taxpayers to notify the Treasurer’s Office about their change of address,” he said. “The law states a taxpayer is responsible for paying a bill regardless or not if they receive one. The fact is we want to make sure you receive one.”

A change of address form is available online.

Taxpayers can also pay by mail, or in person at the Treasurer’s Office or at one of the more than 100 collector banks and credit unions.

Summary of payment options:

• Visit www.madcotreasurer.org to pay by eCheck or credit card.
• Mail payments to Madison County Treasurer, P.O. Box 849 (with coupon) or P.O. Box 729 (without coupon) Edwardsville, IL 62025
• In person, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Madison County Administration Building, Treasurer’s Office, Suite 125, Edwardsville
• More than 100 collector banks or credit unions. Tax coupons required.
• Online bill pay through your bank or credit union.

For questions or more information visit www.madcotreasurer.org or contact the Treasurer’s Office at (618) 692-6260.

— From the Illinois Business Journal