County Trustee Sean Driver would like to remind local taxpayers that the deadline to pay their 2015 county property taxes before penalties start accruing is Feb. 29.

Driver reported at Monday night’s regular monthly meeting of the county commission that as of that afternoon his office had collected 72.17 percent of the $8.5 million owed in 2015 property taxes. Driver said collections this year are up from the same time last year, with 68.91 percent collected on February 22, 2015.

He said an increase in the county’s tax base due to the 16-cent property tax increase this year is one factor in the increased collections. Driver said the tax base this year has increased $835,000 over last year's tax base of $7.7 million, $8,578,328.

Taxpayers may take care of their bill by paying in person to pay at the trustees office, mailing payments, via the dropbox on the outside of the county complex building, or by paying online at tennesseetrustee.com.

To pay at tennesseetrustee.com., patrons must go to the website, then select DeKalb County. The vendor accepts Discover, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express. A vendor convenience fee of 2.75 percent on the total tax bill may apply and fees are subject to change for using credit/debit cards. Also, a $2.75 fee will be assessed on an e-check payment of any amount.

Partial Payments are also accepted and the taxpayer may decide the amount they will pay.

Driver said that taxpayers who qualify for the State of Tennessee Property Tax Relief Program have until April 5 to sign up. If you would like more information stop by the Trustee’s office at 732 South Congress Blvd, Room 103, or call at 615-597-5176.

The Trustee's Office is open regular hours from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday- Friday.

Any 2014 unpaid property taxes may be paid with interest and penalty through March 31. Any unpaid 2014 taxes will be turned over to chancery court on April 1 for collection.

The Trustee's Office will soon be sending out notices to those who are still delinquent.