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October 31, 2009

Tax bills in the mail



By Sherry Koonce

The News staff writer

It’s that time of the year again — when Jefferson County property owners look in the mailbox and are greeted by their tax bill.

The Jefferson County Tax Office collects for 26 jurisdictions which includes the county, cities, school district and special districts. For all 26 jurisdictions, the total amount raised by taxes is $456,483,656, Miriam Johnson, tax assessor-collector for Jefferson County, said.

The amount is up from last year, in many cases, reflecting increased values.

This year there are more than 152,105 different accounts on the tax rolls, with many in Port Arthur where values are up 4.2 percent.

Port Arthur expects to generate $14,922,780 in tax payments compared to last year’s $13,697,714.

Becky Underhill, co-city manager, said the city values saw a general increase primarily from oil and gas concerns and single family residences as well as new apartment communities.

In Nederland, taxes levied from property appraisals rose from $4,955,411 to $5,304,514.

City Manager Chris Duque said new homes on the tax rolls contributed to the increase.

In Port Neches, the tax levy rose from $5,444,181 to $5,548,189.

City Manager Andre Wimer said the city’s total assessed values rose by about 2 percent in the city, which would result in an increase in funds derived from the tax payments.

The higher values are credited to an increase in new homes and business, he said.

In Groves, property taxes billed increased from $4,217,194 last year to $4,670,448 in 2009.

City Manager D. Sosa attributed the increase to two new industrial warehouses in the city, including Motiva and Total.

The majority of the increase is from the Motiva warehouse which has $50 million to $60 million in inventory, he said.

Tax payments can be made at county offices in Beaumont, Port Arthur and Mid-County.

Johnson said the tax offices encourages payments by mail. Payments by credit card can be made by calling 1-866-549-1010 or on the Internet at www.certifiedpayments.net (use Bureau code 222888.)

2009 taxes become delinquent on Feb. 2, 2010. All property owners are reminded that failure to receive a tax bill does not affect the accrual of taxes, penalty, or interest.

If a tax bill does not arrive in the mailbox within the new few days, property owners are urged to call the tax office at 409-835-8516, 409-727-8578 or 409-983-8316.

skoonc@panews.com

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