Madison County Board members at a special meeting on Friday voted unanimously for a two-month property tax grace period for property owners struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the plan introduced last month by Treasurer Chris Slusser, the first installment for property taxes will be due on July 9, however, for those struggling financially, late penalties will be waived, as long as the payment is received by Sept. 9.
Madison County is one of only two counties in the state that offers taxpayers four installments to pay real estate taxes; all other counties offer only two.
Slusser said that before announcing the plan he spoke with superintendents since the vast majority of all property taxes collected go directly to school districts.
"I explained to them that payment delays by property owners may result in delays to the school districts as well," he said. "They could not have been more understanding and supportive."
Slusser said his office is not going to require hardship waiver forms for property owners to take advantage of the grace period, but we does ask that those who can pay on time in July, to please do so.
"We’ll operate on the honor system," he said in announcing the plan.
Board members Tom McRae (R-Bethalto) and David Michael (R- Highland) expressed in statements that the plan is a good one.
"This is something our county can do to assist one another during these uncertain economic times," McRae said.
Michael, who chairs the Finance Committee, also was supportive.
"My family has owned a small business for over 70 years," he said. "I know first hand the struggles of small businesses who are the backbone and job creators of our economy. I'm totally supportive of waiving these late penalties on the first installment to assist our county’s small businesses and others effected by the pandemic”