Franklin getting delinquent taxes under control

Published 9:41 am Friday, May 2, 2014

FRANKLIN—As of April 18, the delinquent taxes owed to the city are down approximately $166,000 from the September total, which was at approximately $612,000.

This April 2014 figure of $446,000 is down from the $1.2 million owed to the city in March 2010.

“We continue to find tools to collect delinquent taxes, as well as work with primary accounts on payment plans,” said Treasurer Dinah Babb.

Approximately $258,000 is owed in real estate, and that’s from 1998 to 2012. Approximately $158,000 is owed in personal property, from 2007 to 2012. Approximately $6,000 is owed in business licenses, and that’s from 2007-2010. The remaining approximately $24,000 is made up in meals and lodging.

Regarding 2013 taxes, Babb said her office has collected 95 percent of taxes for personal property and real estate. Business and Meals and Lodging were current.

They are collecting business license taxes for 2014.

On May 8, the city will have another tax sale. Two properties — 726 Norfleet St. and 805 Chestnut St. — will be up for sale from 10 a.m. to noon.

“There has been a steady decline in what is owed to us since you took over,” said Mayor Raystine Johnson-Ashburn. “That’s because of your aggressiveness in collecting. We appreciate the job you are doing.”

City Manager Randy Martin added that this is significant progress.

“Dropping from $1.2 million to around $400,000 since 2010 — that’s really good work,” he said. “It’s very impressive to have pulled that off.”

Babb said she couldn’t do it alone.

“I have a great staff, and they work very hard.”