Former South Fayette tax collector discusses ‘inefficient’ tax system
Former South Fayette tax collector Anne Beck is worried about an “inefficient” collection system that could impact the school district.
Beck, who did not run for re-election this past November, served as the tax collector for the last four years. Kevin Biber, who served as tax collectors several years ago, has replaced Beck and just began his four-year term.
“I knew I wasn’t going to run again. I did my four years, but there are some things I would change if I were to stay in office,” Beck told the board during its January meeting.
Beck said changes she made to the system during her short term, including her focus on ensuring every taxpayer received a bill, were an attempt to update the office.
“I found this to be a problem when I started, in fact, I would often get returned bills to me. … I took each and everyone of those returns and researched where the bill should have gone,” she said. “The residents would call me in appreciation for sending them the bill, because they don’t know how to pay it if they don’t receive it.
Beck also provided online bill payment and changed to whom residents make their checks payable, as now the checks are made out to South Fayette Township or South Fayette School District.
Beck ended her presentation with items she wasn’t able to accomplish and ones she hopes are implemented in the future, including creating a database of township residents’ information, including ages of adults to be taxed per capita.
“That kind of information should be established and there should be a database on a computer,” she said.
Beck also said the system is “inefficient” when it comes to how it delivers its bills, as each bill is sent separately.
“I think tax bills should all be sent in one envelope. Each of the bills, we as taxpayers, pay for. It’s inefficient, and it’s not environmentally conscience,” she said.
Beck also said the tax collector should have an office in the community provided to him or her.
“There’s still so much paperwork at my house; it’s a voluminous job. I had a closet with shelves with trays of bills,” Beck said. “This is a big enough community that I think there should be an office for the tax collector, where the bills can be mailed and delivered. It would be safer and more efficient.”