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HAMILTON — Tax bills that went out to 153,000 Butler County property owners this week include at least two things that need to be changed.
For one, the dollar amounts for “Mental Retardation” and “Mental Health” levies were “flip-flopped,” in the words of county Treasurer Nancy Nix.
On a copy of the first half 2009 tax bill for Nix’s Middletown home, for example, the amount it says is going to the Developmental Disabilities board is $83.46, the amount listed for the Mental Health board is $170.29.
These should be the other way around, she said.
The calculations are correct, and “I’m sure when they send the money to the taxing agencies, they’ll have the correct amounts,” Nix said.
Although the bills have Nix’s name on them, they are produced by county Auditor Roger Reynolds, she said.
Reynolds could not be reached for comment.
Also, the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities recently changed its name to delete the words “Mental Retardation,” and is in the midst of a public information campaign to “erase the ‘R’ word.”
Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Chris Hurr said she wasn’t surprised the outdated terms appeared on the tax bill, though she hopes it will be fixed in the future.
“We’re still in the transition period, so it doesn’t concern me,” she said.
Mental Health Board Executive Director Terry Royer called the flip-flop an “unfortunate mistake,” especially because his agency is considering putting a 1-mill levy renewal on the ballot this year.
The Mental Health Board levy is much smaller than the Developmental Disabilities board’s.
Tax bill payments are due March 3.
Taxpayers who escrow with a mortgage company will receive an annual statement, and all other taxpayers will receive a regular tax bill, regardless of balance due. Bills with no balance due are mailed so property owners can see their valuation and distribution of taxes.
Property owners can get immediate access to their tax bills on the treasurer’s office Web site, www.butlercountytreasurer.org. Payment options, such as direct debit, electronic check or credit card are also available through the site.
Payment in person can be made at drop boxes located on the ground floor of the Government Services Center, on Court Street behind the building marked “For Payments to Butler County Treasurer,” and a payment slot near the door of the treasurer’s office entrance on the 10th floor of the county building.
“For added convenience, there are approximately 70 branches of local financial institutions participating in our regional collection network,” Nix said.
Taxpayers who have not received a bill by Feb. 22 are urged to contact the treasurer’s office at (513) 887-3181.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or jsweigart@coxohio.com.
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