Feb 19, 2015 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – The amount of uncollected county property taxes declined again last year for the fourth straight year.

Greene County commissioners, at a brief meeting Thursday, were informed the amount of uncollected county property taxes for 2014 was $638,570.01, or $702,431.67, including an added 10 percent penalty.

The county collects 93.23 percent of all property taxes owed, county treasurer Cory Grandel said. Property taxes collected for 2014 was $11,227,358.93.

Grandel provided collection figures dating back to 2010 and in each year the uncollected portion declined.

He attributed the decrease to more people working, and as a result, having the ability to pay their taxes and increased collection efforts.

“Going back the last handful of years, the unemployment rate in Greene County has continued to decrease to where we’re now below the state average,” Grandel said.

He also gave credit to the efforts of his staff and enhanced technology that makes paying taxes easier.

People may now pay their county property taxes from their home with a credit card, computer and internet connection. More people are now paying taxes this way, he said.

The treasurer’s office in 2013 had a collection rate of 92.69 percent; the uncollected amount was $679,647. In 2012, the uncollected amount was $703,765.64; in 2011, it was $717,316.79; and in 2010, it was $717,609.22.

Information regarding uncollected property taxes is turned over to the county tax claim bureau, which makes further attempts to collect the amounts owed. Properties on which taxes were not paid for two years are placed up for tax sale.

In other business at the meeting, the commissioners appointed Debi Chulick to the human services advisory board.

The salary board met following the commissioner’s meeting. The board:

• Accepted the retirement of Rick Hunnell, community service coordinator, with a $5,000 severance and payment for vacation, personal and sick time.

• Hired Steve Salisbury at $14.74 an hour as a full-time working supervisor II for the Greene County Redevelopment Authority housing program.

• Approved 5 percent increases for two Human Services Department employees, Rebecca Harris, human resources director, and Cara Cox, human resources specialist, based on satisfactory completion of one year in their current positions. Commissioner Chuck Morris voted against the motions.

• Rehired Danielle Reese as a temporary, part-time caseworker supervisor in Children and Youth Services; she will be paid $22.87 an hour and work up to 21 hours a week until March 6, helping to prepare for the state audit.

• Accepted the resignation of Shelby Parisse, CYS caseworker.

• Promoted Elizabeth Kennedy to full-time CYS caseworker supervisor at a salary of $33,991.03

• Hired Karlie Wright at $15 an hour as a full-time agricultural technician for the conservation district.

• Hired Mark Grimes as a full-time security officer in the sheriff’s office at $12.17 an hour.

• Promoted Karen Taylor to full-time food service worker at the jail at $13.92 an hour.

• Hired Zachary Atkinson as a part-time corrections officer I at the jail at $14.02 an hour.

• Promoted Shelby Yourchik to a vacant department clerk I position in the register and recorder’s office at $11.87 an hour.

• Hired Ronald Dusenberry as a casual van driver at $7.65 an hour; rehired Sarah Humphreys as a casual van driver at $7.65 an hour.

• Transferred Bruce Shipley to a full-time maintenance worker I position at $14.90 an hour.