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Over 90 percent of Llano County property owners paid their 2009 property taxes before the deadline of February 1, 2010, according to Llano County Tax Assessor-Collector Dexter Sagebiel.

The collection rate of 90.027% was similar to last year’s collection rate, but represents a higher dollar amount as the county’s total tax levy grew to $51,302,046 for 2009, up from $47,082,274 for 2008.

The high payment rate “is an indicator of the quality of our taxpayers,” according to Sagebiel. “Even most of those property owners who cannot pay their full tax liability by the deadline come into our office and make arrangements to pay their taxes, penalties and interest over time.”

Since tax payments are made timely if postmarked by the due date of each year, many tax payers wait until the last opportunity to part with their money. Sagebiel said approximately ten percent of tax payments this year came in during the last three days before the penalty and interest would attach.

Sagebiel’s office disburses tax receipts on a daily basis during peak collection periods to the taxing entities it represents such as the Llano Independent School District, Llano County, cities and special districts.

The office of Tax Assessor-Collector is an elected position. Sagebiel is mid-way through his third four-year term of office as Llano County’s Tax Assessor-Collector.