Submitted by the Centre County Board of Commissioners
BELLEFONTE — The Centre County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, Feb. 25, to conduct business, including a proclamation of Red Cross Month and demonstrating what new real estate tax bills look like.
March is proclaimed American Red Cross Month in Centre County, recognizing the more than 140 years of the organization’s service.
Each of the Commissioners thanked the local chapter of the American Red Cross, especially the 123 local volunteers. The Commissioners noted the importance of the team’s work, most notably the importance of their first aid classes.
Aside from first aid courses, the American Red Cross is known for providing shelter, food and support during disasters; organizing blood drives; supporting service members, veterans and their families; and providing free smoke detectors and free installation.
Melinda Rosario, community disaster program manager for the Greater Pennsylvania chapter of the American Red Cross, made a call to action to the public:
“We want to serve the community. We want folks to call us. If you hear of community members in need, please have them call 1-800-RED-CROSS,” Rosario continued. “Our help is free every single day, and we want to be able to provide that help to folks.”
In other business, Jennifer Pettina, director of Tax Claims and Collections, shared a brief demonstration of the county’s new real estate tax bills ahead of the tax billing cycle on Saturday, March 1.
The county tax bill has three parts: an outer piece with postage information, a taxpayer copy of the bill and a tax collector copy of the bill. The outer portion of the bill will detach upon opening, and taxpayers can disregard this piece or keep it for their own records.
The two remaining parts are connected. The top half includes millage rates, parcel information and tax collector contact information; this top portion is the taxpayer’s copy of the bill. The lower half includes the same information, minus the millage rate; this lower portion is the tax collector’s copy.
Taxpayers should remove the lower portion of the tax bill and mail it to their tax collector with a self-addressed envelope. Tax collectors will use the self-addressed envelope to return a receipt to the taxpayer once the payment has been processed.
Most municipalities will receive a single bill, but the following municipalities will receive two bills—one from the County and one from the municipality:
• State College Borough
• College Township
• Ferguson Township
• Marion Township
• Taylor Township
• Walker Township
The new tax bills will be mailed out Friday, Feb. 28, so taxpayers can anticipate receiving their county tax bill as early as next week.
Payments received on or before Wednesday, April 30, will receive a 2% discount. Payments made between Thursday, May 1 and Monday, June 30, will pay face value. Lastly, payments made between Tuesday, July 1 and Wednesday, Dec. 31, will incur a 10% penalty.
Questions about real estate tax bills can be directed to the Centre County Tax Claims and Collections by email at tcc@centrecountypa.gov or by phone at 814-355-6805.
