Mini Tax Revolt?

From the BCCT.

Alternative to tax collectors considered

How to collect your taxes? That is the question. Although the district currently uses elected tax collectors to handle school taxes, Neshaminy’s finance and facilities committee will be looking at different options to see what’s most cost effective.

Why? Local tax collectors want a salary increase and district administrators are worried about being able to afford that in the current economy. According to district solicitor Thomas J. Profy III, there are other ways to collect taxes: through a private company or bank; or by using district personnel.

Board members Rick Eccles and Ritchie Webb suggested the board review those options after learning at Wednesday night’s meeting that the district’s tax collectors are requesting a 3 percent annual salary increase for the next four years, plus an additional $5 per each installment bill.

The tax collectors in Neshaminy are: Kathleen Nicastro for Hulmeville, Ellyn Schoen for Langhorne, Denise Reid for Langhorne Manor, Jennifer Yori for Lower Southampton, Thomas Kearns for Middletown and Janet Myers for Penndel.

Their salaries for 2009 will total roughly $102,000: $4,630 each for Hulmeville and Langhorne Manor, $4,684 for Langhorne, $26,201 for Lower Southampton, $55,551 for Middletown Township and $6,559 for Penndel.

At that rate, Paradise projected that paying for the tax collectors could increase to $121,000 in four years, plus another estimated $2,500 for installment costs.

The board and other taxing authorities, including municipalities and the county, must set the tax collectors’ salaries every four years. Their deadline is Feb. 15, Paradise said.