
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 28, 1991                   TAG: 9103280404
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MARK LAYMAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FIRST VIRGINIA WILL COLLECT TAXES

Roanoke County residents who want to pay their real estate and personal property tax bills in person will be able to do so at 11 First Virginia Bank offices around the valley this spring.

The banks will collect personal property tax payments until 2 p.m. on May 31 and will collect real estate tax payments until 2 p.m. on June 5.

If that works well, other valley banks will be asked to provide the same service this fall, County Treasurer Fred Anderson said.

The county will pay First Virginia Bank 15 cents for each real estate and personal property tax bill it collects. That's the same fee it pays to valley banks that collect utility bills.

Residents are encouraged to pay their tax bills by mail. "Mailing us the payment is still the most efficient method," Anderson said.

"This new method will be a benefit, however, for those who wish to make their payment in person. . . . The citizens need only go to the First Virginia Bank near their homes or offices, rather than driving to the treasurer's office."

Tax bills probably will be mailed the week of April 22. A notice mailed with the bills will remind residents of the new payment option.

The Board of Supervisors has advertised a maximum real estate tax rate of $1.13 per $100 of assessed value - a 2-cent reduction from the current rate - and a personal property tax rate of $3.50 per $100 of assessed value.

The board still could decide to raise the rates, but they would have to be re-advertised.

by CNB