Though the second installment of San Benito County property taxes was due April 10 – a week previous to the Board of Supervisors’ meeting this past Tuesday – Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz brought forward an agenda item to discuss the tax collector office hours of operation during tax season.
“I put it on the agenda because I got phone calls from residents” about the hours the office is open to the public to pay their taxes, De La Cruz said. The bills are due Feb. 1, but property owners had until April 10 at 5 p.m. to pay.
“I’m wondering if we could have it open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or during lunchtime,” he said. “A lot of private citizens use lunch to pay the bill.”
County tax collector Mary Lou Andrade said that the office is open during the lunch hour, but the current hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Mr. Chair (De La Cuz), I would have liked a courtesy call or a meeting to discuss it before it was put on the agenda,” Andrade said, of the issue. “It is not the best time to come in before the board five days after collecting the taxes.”
Andrade explained that with reductions in office hours and staff it would be difficult to extend the hours. De La Cruz suggested hiring temporary staff for the two weeks when residents are likely to come in to pay their taxes, but Andrade said because of the skill set required in handling cash and posting payments it would be hard to find someone qualified for the short term.
“It is really important that we get the payments posted so that we can get the money invested and earn interest to earn money for the general fund,” Andrade said.
In addition to handling customers who come in to pay in person, the office received 1,700 pieces of mail during the last few weeks, compared to 250 pieces of mail during the off-season.
“The stats are the same for walk-ins and the phone ringing,” she said.
She said her office gets calls from people seeking information that is available on the county tax collector’s website or on the back of the tax bill. Andrade said the office has tried an automated phone system to answer questions, but residents still wanted to talk to a live person.
“We offer several ways to pay,” she said. “Over the phone with an 800 number, online using a website – there is a convenience fee but that doesn’t go to the county, it goes to a third party – and there is also a slot on the door that any one can use after hours except on the last day. They have seven weeks to pay but many choose to pay at the very last day.”
Supervisor Margie Barrios asked how many days the office had long lines. Andrade said it was limited to three to four days.
“It’s 20,000 bills and we have two staff members,” Andrade said. “I understand it is good to have that service, but sometimes it’s not realistic.”
Andrade said she did not recommend changing the hours that the office is open to the public during tax season. She also said she had not received any complaints from residents directly to her office.
De La Cruz said that he would continue to brainstorm ways to solve the issue. Barrios said that she and Supervisor Robert Rivas would also discuss possibilities during an ad hoc committee meeting with Andrade.
“It’s important that we keep putting it out there,” Barrios said, of educating residents on the other methods to pay. “If you mail it, as long as it is postmarked by the (due date) it is not going to get a penalty. Unfortunately, people do stand in line on the last day.”
