County Board HearsUpdate On PreparationOf Property Tax Bills

Union County property tax bills may not be as late in 2009 as they have been for the last couple of years.

An update on the status of preparation of bills which go out this year was reported at last week's regular meeting of the Union County Board of Commissioners.

The meeting was Tuesday evening at the Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro.

County assessor Gene Plott  reported on progress which is being made on the taxes.

Plott said plans call for a county board of review to meet during the second week of March.

The three-member board of review meets to hear appeals on tax assessments from local property owners.

As of last week, Plott said that about 16 property owners have applied to appear before the board of review. The deadline to file an application is March 9.

Plott said it is hoped that board of review decisions will be finalized during the week of March 16.

Information regarding Union County taxes then would be submitted to the Illinois Department of Revenue for review and assignment of a local tax multiplier.

The goal is to have the process finalized by mid-April. Plott said that if the process goes as scheduled, then property owners could look at tax bills with installments due in July and September.

County board members said they are pleased with the way tax preparation is going so far in 2009.

For the past couple of years, tax bills have been mailed late.