Greenville County Tax for Bond County Residents Receive Their Annual Bills

Greenville County tax bill for residents have been sent out via mail

Greenville County Tax image of invoice from Financial Frugality

According to Heartland Newsfield, property tax notices have been mailed to Bond County property owners. Residents have been urged to check their mail for Greenville County tax bills. The Courthouse Annex at 206 W Main Street, Greenville, is ready to accept visitors for any inquiries or provide further information regarding the Greenville County tax. Offices available to visit in the courthouse include: Georgia Shank, the county assessor; Meg Sybert, the county clerk; and Colleen Camp, the treasurer. The data gathered from all three of these departments is what goes into calculating the tax liability.

“Since we are all in the same building, we can generally get all questions handled in one visit,” Camp said.

The first payment on the invoices, according to Camp, is due on November 30, 2023. The following payment is due on January 30, 2024.

The complete payment must be made by December 31, 2023 if citizens wish to claim their property taxes, including the Illinois property tax credit, as an income tax deduction. Due to the fact that it is a Sunday, payment for Greenville County tax must be made in person by 4 p.m. the 29th of December 2023.

Camp left a contact number for further information regarding the tax bills. Call (618) 664-0618 to reach Camp’s office.

Leaders Anticipate a Budget Shift with Possible Tax Hike in Greenville County Tax

Fox Carolina News reported on May 18th that the budget for 2024 and 2025 is being worked on by the Greenville County Council. For the following two years, it is anticipated that financing will amount to close to $800 million. However, the county’s budget has been damaged by inflation and rising prices in the same manner as their expenditures. Money management will be difficult during the next two years, according to the leaders.

The county administrator emphasized that rapid growth, rising prices, and declining revenue are making things more difficult than necessary. Payroll costs account for around 83% of the total budget. There is a desire for more competitive compensation, and the public’s need for more first responders and public employees has only increased. Then there are the top priorities: a new dam, affordable housing, and infrastructure. Over the following two years, the budget allotted around $5 million for housing.

Councilmen and officials voiced their concern on the possible increase of Greenville County tax.

Councilman Benton Blount stated, “Obviously, with more people and development, we have more need for public service, EMS, and sheriff’s office.”

Councilman Butch Kirven stated, “We have known for some time that this was going to be a very tight budget. Deputies, EMS personnel, and public works personnel are plenty.”

“We’re not overreacting. We’re doing everything we can,” Kirven stated.

The Magistrate Court staff has also requested pay raises, but Kirven claims that’s easier said than done.

“A magistrate court’s ability to generate penalties has been decreasing downward. The amount of fines should, in principle, cover the cost of the court, he said.

From the council’s deliberation regarding the county’s budget in May, Greenville News reported the first ever tax increase for Greenville County in the last 30 years.

The Greenville County Council narrowly avoided a government shutdown by voting Friday night, June 23, 2023 to raise taxes for the first time in over 30 years. In front of a boisterous gathering of citizens, the council voted 8-4 to adopt a $785 million budget that will boost county taxes by $28 for every $100,000 in value from an earlier projected rise of 11 mills.

According to county regulations, a supermajority of two-thirds of the council must vote in favor of passing the budget. Rick Bradley, Benton Blount, Steve Shaw, and Stan Tzouvelekas abstained from voting. Joey Russo, who had previously voted against it at first and second readings, joined vice chairwoman Liz Seman and council members Dan Tripp, Mike Barnes, Ennis Fant, Chris Harrison, Butch Kirven, and Alan Mitchell in supporting the measure.

Following a 6-6 tie vote earlier in the week, the decision on Friday helped the county barely avert a government shutdown. According to state law, the county administrator would not be authorized to pay staff or make any expenditures if a budget wasn’t approved by July 1.

The divisive adoption represented a significant change from prior years. While maintaining a $80 million fund balance and a AAA credit rating, the highest grade given by creditors, the county has resisted raising its tax rate for over 30 years. But according to County Administrator Joe Kernell, Greenville’s expansion and rising inflation have put a strain on the county’s finances and necessitated the addition of additional.

“It is a solid plan, it is a responsible plan. I know it’s not a popular plan, but at the end of the day, we have to do what’s best for the operation of the county and the residents of this county, and that’s what this plan does,” Kernell stated.

There is just not enough money to appease everyone, the council will yet have to make a tougher call in the future.