Supervisors waive $67 late fee for resident who cited postal postmark

A Jefferson County resident (Speaker 10) asked the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 1 to waive a $66–$67 late fee and associated interest after his payment was recorded with a Des Moines postmark of Oct. 1.

The resident said he mailed the first-half real estate tax payment from Fairfield through the local post office and believed he had mailed it earlier than the postmark indicated. "I paid my real estate taxes, the full amount that was due for the first half, which is $4,389," the resident said, adding that the treasurer’s office later notified him of a $66 delinquent charge based on the postmark. He told the board he understood the treasurer lacked authority to waive penalties and therefore appeared before the board to request relief.

Supervisor (Speaker 4) moved to abate the penalty and Speaker 1 seconded. The board voted by voice; the motion passed. Board members and other speakers reminded residents about the drop box on the north side of the courthouse as a reliable way to ensure timely receipt.

Speaker 11 later told the board he had retained envelopes and that "a couple dozen" other taxpayers appear to be in the same situation, suggesting the issue may affect multiple residents. The board did not set a blanket policy at the meeting; the action applied to the individual request presented.