Scott County tries orange notices with properties subject to tax sale

BENTON, Mo. -- Some property owners most at risk of losing their properties in the annual county tax sale may soon have an unmistakable sign: an orange 8.5-by-11-inch notice attached to the property.

The annual county tax sale will be Aug. 22.

"It is always the fourth Monday in August," said Mark Hensley, Scott County collector of revenue. "I don't want to sell anyone's house, I want to collect taxes. My primary job is to collect taxes, not to sell property, but Missouri state statutes require me to offer these for sale if people do not pay their taxes."

Posting notices on some properties is something Hensley is trying for the first time this year.

"Last year was the first year I ever sold a property with someone living in it," he said. "Homes that are on a third or subsequent offering will be posted this year. It's not a law, not mandated, it's just part of trying to reach out to inform the property owner that their home is subject to tax sale."

Hensley said he wants to give the property owners every opportunity to keep their property from being lost.

"The reason for posting third and subsequent offerings is because the redemption period on those properties is much shorter," he said.

The list of properties in the tax sale started out with about 300 total this year.

"There's quite a few first offerings for the tax sale this year," Hensley said.

Scott County property owners who are behind on their taxes should have received mailed notices from the collector already, Hensley said, and should not wait to see a notice posted but should contact the collector's office at 573-545-3548.

As many owing back taxes will resolve the issue before their property is included in the sale, Hensley estimated the total number of properties will be less than 200 by the time the tax sale is held Aug. 22.

"Last year we were down to about 180," he said. "We're right on target to be around the same as last year."

Hensley said he met with county collectors from about dozen counties Wednesday at the Scott County Courthouse to discuss changes in tax sale law that went into effect this year.

"We're trying to get some tax sale issues standardized so every body will do things the same way," he said.

Scott County isn't the only county which will be posting notices on some tax sale properties.

"There were a couple of others at the meeting that have posted or will post this year such as Butler County and St. Francois County," Hensley said. "Some posted yesterday, I will be posting in the next day or so."

The Scott County notices include a feature some will recognize as a QR code in the lower right hand corner.

"The QR code is not live yet because I'm redoing the Scott County Collector's page," Hensley said.

The same QR code will also appear on this year's county tax statements.

"It will take you directly to the pay site where you can pay directly there with your smartphone," Hensley said. "It's another way we're trying to make the office more convenient for the taxpayers."