CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners are considering an amendment to the county’s tax collection policy due to the financial restraints the coronavirus pandemic has placed on residents.
Last week, the state Senate approved a package of emergency measures to help local governments respond to the COVID-19 public health crisis, which included a provision for greater flexibility on property tax deadlines.
Under Senate Bill 841, local governments would be authorized to extend deadlines for property tax discount rates to any date up until Aug. 31.
The legislation would also allow local governments to waive any fee or penalty for late payments of property taxes if paid in full by the end of the year.
“We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone,” Commissioner Tony Scotto, board chairman, said at Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting. “People are having financial difficulties [so] … we’re looking at the county’s tax collection policy.”
“We haven’t made a decision as of yet,” he said, adding that it is important for the commissioners to work in a collaborative effort with the county’s municipalities so that everyone is on the “same page.”
To that end, Commissioner John A. Sobel suggested the county hold off on any decision until its next regular meeting, April 28, because he expected the state House to take action soon on SB 841.
(The House passed the measure later on Tuesday that would allow municipalities greater flexibility with property tax deadlines, according to a PA Post article).
“I think it’s important that we wait and see what the legislature – as a whole – does,” Sobel said. “… It will make it a lot clearer as to what authority the county does have and what authority it doesn’t have as a taxing district.”
Plus, Sobel said the commissioners can utilize this extra time to seek more feedback from the local taxing districts. “… There could be a great deal of confusion if we did one thing and then the taxing districts did another.”
Commissioner Dave Glass concurred, saying: “I think with something of this magnitude, it’s not necessarily important to be first, but …. to make sure it’s done correctly and … with the other municipalities.
“The thing I’m most concerned about is the confusion … if we have municipalities that aren’t onboard. If we changed our dates, but others didn’t, and [residents] get penalized on part of the tax, and not the other, it’s a disaster.
“It’s a disaster for the citizens and frankly it’s a disaster for the tax collectors who already have a pretty big job. And if they’re expected to keep track of a whole new set of rules for different municipalities, that’s not really good for anyone.”
Glass subsequently motioned for the commissioners to postpone any action to amend the county’s tax collection policy until April 28, which was seconded by Sobel, and unanimously approved by the board, 3-0.