MONROE - Green County is considering increasing penalties for delinquent property taxes and raising the fee for a marriage license.
The county's Finance and Accounting Committee recommended the increases Tuesday night.
Green County Treasurer Sherri Hawkins said the increase in delinquent penalties would be one-quarter of a percentage point, to one-half percent per month, or from 3 to 6 percent per year.
Those delinquent on property taxes also pay 1 percent a month in interest.
Hawkins said state statute allows municipalities to charge one-half percent a month.
"With the way the levy is, we're trying to find ways to generate revenue," Hawkins said.
The change would take effect Jan. 1, 2009, Hawkins said, giving the county enough time to notify delinquent taxpayers that it would be in their best interest to pay before the end of the year.
Hawkins said the county collected $38,000 in delinquent penalties last year. That could double with the percentage increase.
Hawkins said the increased penalty probably won't impact people's ability to pay if they're delinquent, but it may prevent more people from being late up front.
"That's one of the things the committee talked about," Hawkins said. "We hope the higher penalties are a deterrent for people to go delinquent."
Hawkins said the increase would bring Green County in line with Dane and Rock counties, which charge one-half of a percent for penalties a month. Iowa County is going from no penalty to one-half of a percent on Jan. 1, and Lafayette County charges one-third of a percent in penalties.
Green County Clerk Mike Doyle said the county now charges $65 for marriage licenses. The state gets $45 and the county $20.
"We do all the work with those licenses," Doyle said. "We have to make it worth it to do."
Doyle said many counties charge more for marriage licenses. The committee recommended the fee be raised to $85, with the state still getting $45 and the excess money staying at the county level.
The extra money earned from increased delinquent penalties and more expensive marriage licenses would be placed in the county's general fund.
The County Board will take up the marriage license increase at its next meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10, in the county board room.
The delinquent property tax penalty increase could be discussed at October or November's county board meetings.
The county's Finance and Accounting Committee recommended the increases Tuesday night.
Green County Treasurer Sherri Hawkins said the increase in delinquent penalties would be one-quarter of a percentage point, to one-half percent per month, or from 3 to 6 percent per year.
Those delinquent on property taxes also pay 1 percent a month in interest.
Hawkins said state statute allows municipalities to charge one-half percent a month.
"With the way the levy is, we're trying to find ways to generate revenue," Hawkins said.
The change would take effect Jan. 1, 2009, Hawkins said, giving the county enough time to notify delinquent taxpayers that it would be in their best interest to pay before the end of the year.
Hawkins said the county collected $38,000 in delinquent penalties last year. That could double with the percentage increase.
Hawkins said the increased penalty probably won't impact people's ability to pay if they're delinquent, but it may prevent more people from being late up front.
"That's one of the things the committee talked about," Hawkins said. "We hope the higher penalties are a deterrent for people to go delinquent."
Hawkins said the increase would bring Green County in line with Dane and Rock counties, which charge one-half of a percent for penalties a month. Iowa County is going from no penalty to one-half of a percent on Jan. 1, and Lafayette County charges one-third of a percent in penalties.
Green County Clerk Mike Doyle said the county now charges $65 for marriage licenses. The state gets $45 and the county $20.
"We do all the work with those licenses," Doyle said. "We have to make it worth it to do."
Doyle said many counties charge more for marriage licenses. The committee recommended the fee be raised to $85, with the state still getting $45 and the excess money staying at the county level.
The extra money earned from increased delinquent penalties and more expensive marriage licenses would be placed in the county's general fund.
The County Board will take up the marriage license increase at its next meeting, scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10, in the county board room.
The delinquent property tax penalty increase could be discussed at October or November's county board meetings.