Tax collection efforts paying off

New Facebook page, online payment system give residents convenient way to pay thier bills

TORRINGTON — A new Facebook page, as well as an online payment system, is giving residents a convenient way to quickly pay their tax bills or contact Tax Collector Launa Goslee.

“We recognize that the social media reach broadens how to pay taxes,” Board of Finance member Chris Beyus said at the board’s Monday meeting.

His next statement was met with laughter: “It makes paying taxes fun.”

Providing a Facebook page for the office, Goslee said, lets her respond quickly. “It helps taxpayers calm down,” she told the board members.

Whether property owners enjoy paying taxes online, they definitely have been paying them.

Goslee reported at the meeting that online payments totaled $4.5 million for the 2017-18 fiscal year. That’s compared to $3.5 million the previous year. “It’s gone up quite a bit,” she said.

“We never had this information until Ms. Goslee was hired,” said Mayor Elinor Carbone.

Goslee told members of the finance board and City Council that overall collections for the last fiscal year reached 100.59 percent of budgeted items for a total of $93.6 million.

The information was included in the annual report from the tax collector’s office.

The report also showed that the office collected $2.7 million in back taxes.

“We see the crux of your labor with the back taxes you collected,” said Carbone.

Goslee was hired in May 2015. On Monday, she was unanimously reappointed to the position until May 2019, an action called for in the city charter.

“It’s refreshing to get such a thorough report,” said councilor Marie Soliani. “My compliments to you,” said Ann Ruwet.

Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Tax collector Launa Goslee at a City Council meeting.