Osage County Collector Denise Nolte has reported that the tax bills sent out last week will result in the collection of $9,764,869.36 in real estate and personal property taxes, an increase of $397,441.82 over last year’s total of $9,367,427.54.

The $9.764 million figure does not include an additional $1,668,044.33 that will be collected from railroads and utilities having property in the county, which means the grand total to be collected will be $11,598,456.35.

Overall, real estate taxes total $6,896,745.75, compared to last year’s total of $6,550,045.92. The majority of real estate taxes to be collected will come via the schools at $5,350,590.83, up from the $5,055,796.25 taken in last year. 

Personal property taxes total $2,868,223.61, of which $2,236,979.57 will come through the schools.

“Everyone should double-check their tax bill to make sure everything is right,” said Nolte.

State taxes total $62,052.39 and the county’s general revenue fund is expected to collect $51,912.58.

Other taxes are shown as current year (combined real estate and personal property totals) with last year’s figures in parentheses: state $62,062.39 ($57,372.54), Osage County Road & Bridge $468,886.65 ($444,027.74), Westphalia Special Road and Bridge $8,597.98 ($8,215.69), Osage County Subclass 3 surtax (a tax on commercial real estate) $95,018.81 ($86,740.31), library $365,228.17 ($347,817.06), SB 40 (handicap-related services) $200,814.64 ($191,214.36), city taxes $185,881.79 ($182,410.29), ambulance $347,840.50 ($328,234.78 ), fire $354,337.95 ($337,377.20), Late Assessment Charges $35,255 ($19,865), and A-1 Levee and Lake Drainage $1,572.50 ($12,788.83).

Nolte said that It is important with any tax documents to open your mail as soon as you receive it.  If you note any problems with your assessed values or an inaccurate personal property listing, please contact the Assessor’s office at 573-897-2217.

Nolte added that it is important to have a plan in place to pay your taxes on time.  

“We have installed an Osage County dropbox located on the front of the Administration Building to assist taxpayers in getting their payments to the office without coming into the building,” she said. 

There is no mask mandate in effect but everyone is asked to follow the CDC social-distancing guidelines while standing in line to conduct county business.  

You may also choose to pay your taxes online by going to osagecountygov.com. Click on the “How do I” tab, and then click on “Pay Taxes on Line.”  

Follow the prompts, which ask for your “Tax Bill Number,” which is a seven-digit number located on your tax statement in the upper right-hand corner and begins with 21. Nolte said users will need to load each tax bill number they wish to pay, and prior years delinquent taxes must be paid before paying the current taxes.

Last year, due to COVID-19 concerns, Nolte said she saw an increase in mail-in and online payments and suggested it may be best for people to utilize these options again this year.

Taxes are due Dec. 31, and Nolte said while she encourages using the mail, it’s important to make sure bills are postmarked no later than Dec. 31 to avoid interest and penalties.

The collector’s office will be open Dec. 31 with normal office hours of 8 to 4:30, while the office will be closed for lunch from noon to 1.