Average Boundary County tax bill $1,500

Of the 11,000 tax notices mailed on Nov. 7 from the Boundary County Treasurer’s Office, the average bill was $1,500.

Residents in Bonners Ferry and Moyie Springs saw 1 percent decreases in their taxes from last year for city services. In addition, three separate tax levies for Boundary County School District also were reduced by an average of 1 percent, while a fourth levy was eliminated.

A tax to support Boundary County Library also decreased 1 percent. The fee to support Boundary County Translator Board, which provides television reception, remained at $10.

If tax bills seemed higher this year it’s because county commissioners increased fees for operating the landfill. In addition, voters approved a tax for Boundary Community Hospital.

Commissioners earlier this year approved a one-year, 63 percent increase in fees for landfill operations.

Bonners Ferry residents who paid $86 last year are now paying $140. Residents throughout the rest of the county saw their bill increase from $102 to $167.

The money is needed for operations including repairs and fuel, and for additional recycling and upgrading equipment. Last year’s budget was $665,000. This year’s is expected to be a little over $1 million.

Voters in May approved a levy 1,141 to 913 for the hospital. The levy will generate $335,000 annually for the hospital for two years.

The owner of a $150,000 home with a homeowner’s exemption is paying an additional $34. Homeowners qualify for the exemption if they live in the home. Those without an exemption would pay $68 for the year.

Tax bills are due Dec. 20, said treasurer Jenny Fessler. Since Dec. 20 falls on a Saturday, payments will be accepted without penalties as late as Monday, Dec. 22. Mailed tax payments must be postmarked Dec. 20.

Anyone who does not pay by Jan. 2, will be charged a 2 percent late fee on the first half balance and 1 percent monthly interest.

“All taxes are due normally on Dec. 20,” Fessler said. “As a courtesy, we allow that the second half not be paid until June 20 without penalty.”

If taxes are not paid by June 20, a 2 percent late fee is levied and the 1 percent interest becomes retroactive to Jan. 2.

Last year, 54 percent of the tax bills were paid by the end of December, she said.

“So far there’s been a lot of people who have paid and there’s been a lot of sad stories,” Fessler said. “I’m not really worried because in Bonners Ferry, we all feel these hard times. It affects us all. We don’t seem to have real highs and real lows.”