Board approves optional monthly property-tax payment program; ACH option offered with no fees
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Summary
Supervisors approved a county program to let property owners make monthly payments toward property taxes via automated ACH or by credit card (with fees). County staff said the program aims to help fixed-income residents budget and reduce late-payment penalties; the motion carried unanimously.
The Inyo County Board of Supervisors approved a voluntary program to allow property owners to pay property taxes in monthly installments via automated clearing house (ACH) or by credit card.
County staff described the program — referred to during the meeting as “Easy SmartPay” — as an optional service that lets taxpayers set up recurring payments to spread property-tax liability across the year. Staff said an ACH debit carries no county fees; credit-card payments are permitted but include a card fee, which the presenter said would be about 1.99 percent and is lower than the county’s current third‑party processing fee.
Staff emphasized the program is voluntary and requires sign-up in advance of a tax due date (officials said taxpayers should allow at least seven days to enroll before a payment deadline). Board members and staff described the tool as useful to households on fixed incomes and as an administrative efficiency for the Treasurer/Tax Collector’s office. The motion to implement the payment option carried unanimously.
No changes to tax rates or assessments were made at the meeting; the program covers only timing and payment-method options for existing property-tax obligations.