Craighead County Quorum Court asks ‘Show us the money’

It may not be a $64,000 question, but Craighead County justices on Monday asked county officials to look at ways to collect tax money owed to the county.

In its last meeting of the year, Craighead County justices had a short agenda to deal with, but the discussion over delinquent taxes drew interest. Justices Barbara Weinstock and Ray Kidd asked Collector Marsha Phillips about the collection of delinquent property taxes.

The county is owed $1.5 million in delinquent personal property taxes and $1.6 million in delinquent real estate taxes, Phillips said. The county has collected $60.3 million in property taxes so far this year, Phillips said.

Phillips also said the county sheriff can help serve writs to collect, while the county can withhold privilege licenses for people who do not pay.

Officials in Pulaski County will go to the business to collect fines, with the project being effective, Phillips said. A company can have its personal assets, including equipment, seized for non-payment. However, Phillips said she has not asked Boyd to serve a writ of execution in her three years in office.

Justice Josh Longmire asked Phillips about using constables to collect the money, as well as having a monthly or quarterly auction to sell property.

“Are we just going to write this money off?,” Longmire asked Phillips.

Phillips said her office only has 10 employees, with employees working on other issues. Both Longmire and Justice Garry Meadows said the collections needed to be done regardless.

“What about going to the Chamber? Ask them who the plant manager is,” Longmire said.

Phillips said the sheriff’s office was asked to help, while Meadows said the sheriff’s office has agreed to help. The issue was referred to the county’s Public Service Committee for review.

Justices will next meet on Jan. 11 in Jonesboro.