Hatboro Passes on Upping Delinquent Tax Fees

The Hatboro Borough Council, following advice from its attorney, opted to continue recouping 95 percent of delinquent property taxes owed instead of introducing a local law to collect all monies owed. 

The council heard from attorney Christen Pionzio during its last meeting of the year recently. Pionzio said Montgomery County had asked Hatboro - as well as other municipalities - to adopt an ordinance providing for higher interest, penalties, an attorney's fee when the county attempts to collect delinquent property taxes.

Pionzio recommended that Hatboro hold off "to see what they do for a while."

"I don’t feel comfortable defending that ordinance," Pionzio said, adding that under the legislation proposed by the county, property owners would be assessed an across-the-board 1 percent attorney fee. "I’m uncomfortable saying 1 percent is the right number."

The council took Pionzio's advice and took no action, meaning that the borough will continue to recoup 95 percent of the monies owed on late property taxes. The county will continue to keep 5 percent to cover its administrative costs. 

Horsham officials earlier this month adopted the ordinance as recommended by the county. Township Manager Bill Walker had said that with the new regulation in place, come Jan. 1 the township would be made "whole" with full payment of the property taxes being collected.