Some Crittenden County property owners who have not gotten a property tax bill in several years may have a surprise when they go to their mailbox in the coming days.
A 911 service fee levied on residential and commercial dwellings to fund emergency dispatch in Crittenden County will be new this year, approved by the fiscal court a few months ago. That $36 fee will ensure that the owner of just about any inhabitable building will receive a 2021 county tax bill, regardless of their previous tax status.
That means even seniors or disabled individuals who have received a homestead exemption that excludes the entire value of their home from taxation will have a county tax bill mailed to them in the coming days. If the $40,500 homestead exemption is above the value of the property, the owner will receive a 2021 county tax bill for only the $36 fee for 911 services.
This situation should affect only real property owners in the City of Marion – 102 to be precise – all of whom are exempt from paying county fire dues. Marion property owners pay for fire protection through the property taxes paid to the city and billed separately from county government. For several years, rural property owners have been assessed fire dues by the county, which like the new 911 fee are not abated by the homestead exemption.
Renters will not be assessed the new 911 fee; instead, landlords will foot the bill. However, those property owners may pass on the cost to renters through monthly rental fees.
The new 911 levy is not optional; failure to pay will be a Class A misdemeanor offense with additional penalties of up to a $500 and 90 days to 12 months in jail.
When the fiscal court enacted $30 fire dues on tax bills for property outside the City of Marion, they made it optional. Property owners may opt out by mid-year – it is too late for 2021 – but are then responsible for cost of any fire department responding to a call for the property in question, which can be hundreds of dollars.
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