About 10,000 people received letters in recent days explaining the technical issue and noting that monthly payment coupons would not be offered and automatic debit payments would not be completed. The treasurer's office instead is urging that July escrow payments be made in person, through the mail or online at treasurer.franklincountyohio.gov.
The issue did not affect payments for tax bills that were due June 20, and there are no penalties involved for property owners who take part in the voluntary advanced payments, said Rosa Barker, information technology director for county Treasurer Cheryl Brooks Sullivan.
The escrow program involves property owners who prepay their taxes each month in advance of semiannual due dates or who are making payments on delinquent taxes. Funds are collected monthly, then applied to tax bills, Barker said.
In July, the treasurer's computer system did not generate monthly statements for the escrow system, and Barker said the office did not want to automatically withdraw payments or send bills to those who make payments through the mail without adequate advance notice.
Monthly statements will resume in August. For property owners who choose not to make the July payment, bill totals will be adjusted to ensure adequate payments are collected in advance of the next property tax payment date in January.
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