Georgetown, Del., July 28, 2006: The calendar might say summer, a time for sand between the toes and barbeque sauce smeared on the finger tips. But it’s also time for something else in Sussex County – the start of tax season.

In the coming days, Sussex County property owners will begin receiving their 2006 tax bills, which will collect money to help fund everything from local government services, such as paramedics and sewer collection, to schools. Payment this year will be due Sept. 30.

Sussex County government has spent the last week printing more than 140,000 bills totaling an estimated $87.7 million. The bills cover county taxes, and county sewer and water fees. The statements also include property owners’ obligations for tax ditches and street lighting, if applicable, as well as their local school district taxes.

Sussex County government issues tax bills to property owners for its portion of the annual tax obligation. The county, though, bills property owners for school taxes on behalf of the eight public school districts within Sussex.

Those collections are turned over to the Delaware Office of the State Treasurer, which in turn disperses the money to the school districts. Of the typical tax bill, more than 85 percent of the total collected is for the local school districts.

The first round of mailings began Thursday, July 27, and mailings will continue through next week. Property owners, depending on where they live – some receive their bills out of state – should begin to receive their statements by Aug. 1.

“The bills are going out, so property owners need to be on the lookout for their statements in their mailboxes,” said Joyce F. Lord, director of the Sussex County Treasury Division. “If you don’t receive one by the middle of August, please call us so we can get you your statement.”

Sussex County accepts tax bill payments by cash, check, money order or credit card. Taxpayers have a number of different ways to make payment – through their mortgage lenders, by mail, on the Internet, over the telephone or in person.

Many taxpayers have their annual taxes paid by their mortgage lenders. A portion of their annual tax obligation is collected through each month’s mortgage payment, put into escrow, and then paid by the lender to the county when payment is due. If these taxpayers have any questions regarding the status of their escrow accounts, they should contact their lenders.

For taxpayers who will handle their tax bill payments personally, there are several convenient ways to do this. To pay in person or by telephone, the tax office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The office is located on the second floor, Room 252, of the County Administrative Offices building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.

Payment also can be made, with use of a credit card, on the Internet at sussexcountyde.gov/pay-your-bill.

Lastly, property owners can send their tax payments by mail, using the return envelopes included in their tax bills. Bills should be addressed to the Sussex County Treasury Division, PO Box 429, Georgetown, DE 19947. All payments sent by mail must be postmarked by Sept. 30 to avoid the 1.5 percent penalty, per month, on unpaid balances.

Anyone with any questions should contact the Treasury Division during regular business hours at (302) 855-7760.