FLORENCE – Pinal County Treasurer Dolores “Dodie” Doolittle has the unpopular task of mailing and collecting property taxes for properties in Pinal County. Due to the protracted negotiations that have delayed approval of a state budget, she is advising taxpayers that the bills will be mailed later than usual.

“Normally, the state would have its budget approved with plenty of time for local governments to set their tax rates,” Doolittle said. “Because we still don’t have a state budget, I can’t send out accurate bills.”

The statements that the Treasurer’s office sends include not only the county tax rate, but also the tax rate of other government jurisdictions such as school districts, municipalities and special taxing districts such as fire districts. While those rates have been set, the state is still debating the possible repeal of one line item on tax bills.

“A key issue in the budget discussions is the possible repeal of the State Equalization Tax,” Doolittle explained. “It is important to get property tax information out to property owners in a timely manner. We can’t afford to wait much longer and it is not fair to property owners and mortgage companies who are beginning to call in for the taxes due. Both Maricopa and Pima Counties have also decided to delay the mailing in the hopes of getting certainty on the state budget.”

“Based on the deadline for Governor Brewer to take action on the budget, we have moved the printing date for the tax statements with the intent to have them in the mail on the 18th of September,” she said.

This could surprise some taxpayers because October 1 is the due date for the first half of your annual tax bill.

“By statute, the due date is October 1 but you have a grace period of 30 days before you start accruing a penalty for late payments,” Doolittle said. “We’re telling people now that they really have until October 31 to make their payment.”

“Also, if you are in a position to pay the full year’s taxes at once, you actually have a grace period until December 31 to pay the entire bill without a penalty,” she added.

The State Treasurer has had to borrow money to meet the state’s financial obligations because an official state budget has not been approved. Doolittle said that unlike the state, Pinal County will not have to borrow to meet the county’s financial needs. This is because the Board of Supervisors approved a structurally balanced budget that cut the primary property tax rate by 20 cents and slashed spending by almost $57 million over the prior year’s budget. Pinal County’s primary property tax today is the lowest it’s been in 32 years.

Pinal County’s website has a host of information to help you learn more about your county government and the services provided by our various departments. Please bookmark http://pinalcountyaz.gov and visit it often. Pinal County has also launched a YouTube site with videos about events, topics of interest and interviews with County officials. Channel Pinal programming is produced and paid for by funds from cable franchise fees, not taxpayer money. Just click on the YouTube icon on the right side of our home page.