Georgetown, Del., July 20, 2010: One hundred Sussex County taxpayers have earned their place atop a new list, but it’s not the kind of attention most people seek.

Sussex County on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, unveiled its promised Top 100 list of delinquent taxpayers, the next in a series of steps to collect millions of dollars owed to the County government and local school districts. The list, now posted to the County’s Web site at sussexcountyde.gov, is a collection of 100 individuals and corporations who have the largest debt in outstanding taxes due to County government.

Those on this first-ever Top 100 list are on there for a reason. Combined, the 100 names listed owe $1.6 million in back taxes and penalties, a sizeable chunk of the more than $12 million in delinquent taxes and penalties already owed to the County government and the eight independent school districts.

“Although these are difficult economic times and many budgets are tight, it is important that we each pay our fair share,” County Administrator David Baker said. “We cannot allow a few to overburden the vast majority who pay their taxes on time.”

The Top 100 list follows a months-long process to recover back taxes and fees owed to the County government. Earlier this year, the County offered a limited amnesty period for approximately 23,000 individuals who were delinquent on County taxes, as well as sewer and water fees.

Those who paid off their debts during the 30-day amnesty periods – one for property taxes, another for sewer and water customers – were eligible for a 50 percent reduction in penalties, as long as the principal amount was paid in full. The two amnesties netted the County approximately $1.2 million in delinquent payments.

The County offered the amnesty periods as a last-chance incentive before turning to stiffer measures, which now include the Top 100 list, the use of a collections manager, warning letters, liens on property, wage attachments and eventually sheriff sales.

Before publishing the Top 100 list, County officials sent final warning letters in June to delinquent taxpayers whose names were to be featured on the report, said collections manager Katrina Mears. As delinquent accounts featured on the list are settled, new names will be added regularly to keep the pressure on.

County Council President Vance C. Phillips said having to publicly call out delinquent taxpayers is an unfortunate but necessary step to protect the interest of the County government, local school districts and responsible taxpayers.

“This is an effort that is long overdue,” Mr. Phillips said. “I applaud the County Council for directing our Administration to step up collection efforts. The publication of the top 500 tax delinquents may be next, as we seek to protect our County's financial health.”

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