PHOENIX, AZ -- Out of all the billboards along Valley freeways, Maricopa County Treasurer, Charles "Hos" Hoskins, would like drivers to take notice of one particular sign.
"It's an idea I got," he said, explaining the message he developed for 61 billboards throughout the Valley that read 'If you own property you owe taxes.'
The billboards, which, for the first time, were placed along Valley roads and freeways last year, encourage taxpayers to pay their bills
online.
Payments are due now, but they become delinquent after 5:00 p.m. on November 1.
"We're just trying to reach as many people as possible," Hoskins said.
The billboards will be taken down at the end of October after approximately one month.
Hoskins said he believes the signs were successful last year, as many taxpayers were encouraged to pay their bills online and early.
"I was very pleased," he said.
"We got people to pay early," he explained, saying some people paid before tax bills were even mailed to property owners.
"By paying online, we get the money into our investment portfolio a lot quicker than we do if it comes through the cashier or through the mail, which means that we start earning interest right away," he said.
"Last year, the interest rates were a little higher, about four percent, on our portfolio," Hoskins added.
Compared to the previous year, Hoskins estimated the county earned an extra $341,000 in interest because of early payments last year.
He said he was also able to reduce cashier staffing, which, he said, saved approximately $80,000.
"We had two vacancies," he said, explaining the estimated savings.
"I was surprised to see as much savings and additional income as we got last year."
Hoskins said while the signs helped make taxpayers more aware of the online option, radio and TV ads also helped spread the word.
Taxpayers paid for none of the advertisements, according to Hoskins.
"I have what is called a Taxpayer Information Fund," Hoskins said. "It was set up by the legislature about twenty years ago, and two years ago it was amended...to institute a proactive outreach program."
Hoskins said the fund is designed to help create an outreach program to remind taxpayers to pay their taxes and help them better access helpful information about the process.
Most of the money for that fund, he said, comes from fees charged to tax lien investors.
"When taxes are not paid on a property, it constitutes a lein," he said. "By law, I must offer that lein for sale to any investor in February of each year and we collect a fee," he said, estimating the county collects approximately $250,000 each year in fees.
"We have other fees that we get money from that goes into the Taxpayer Information Fund," he added, "Plus the interest that it earns."
Hoskins said during election year last year, the signs were much more expensive compared to this year. He estimated ten signs cost approximately $50,000.
This year, six times as many signs cost a similar amount.
