Douglas Countians seem to be doing a better job of paying their property taxes this year.

While the number of land parcels that were taxed increased in 2005, the number currently showing delinquent taxes has dropped, according to the Douglas County Treasurer’s Office.

“We have more parcels, fewer delinquencies,” Treasurer Paula Gilchrist said.

A list of delinquent properties and their owners published by the county in Tuesday’s Journal-World showed that as of Aug. 1, there were 969 parcels delinquent. That was down from 1,316 delinquent parcels on July 27 when an early list was prepared, Gilchrist said.

A year ago at this time, there initially were 1,370 delinquent parcels based on 2004 property tax notices. Total properties taxed were 37,193.

Taxes still owed this year on 2005 property delinquencies amount to almost $2 million. There were a total of 38,383 parcels taxed in 2005, Gilchrist said.

If taxes plus interest and fees are not paid by Sept. 5, the county will put a tax lien on the property. That prevents the owner from selling it without paying the taxes first.

The wording of the state statute that appears with the published tax list causes confusion among some land owners, said Stacy Kurtz, director of taxation and accounting in the treasurer’s office.

“We have a lot of people who call in and think we are selling these (properties), and that is not what is happening,” she said.

Delinquent properties can’t be auctioned by the county until they have been delinquent for at least two years and 10 months, Kurtz said. A tax sale will be scheduled sometime this year for nine properties that are delinquent from 2000 and 2001, Gilchrist said.

Property tax notices are mailed to owners in November. No second notice is mailed. If at least the first half of the taxes are not paid by Dec. 20, interest will start accruing. By May 10, the entire tax should be paid.

Owners who are delinquent should get a notice before the tax list is published, as long as the treasurer’s office has the correct address.

Owners sometimes miss the notices as well as previous tax notices if they have moved or switched mortgage companies because of refinancing, Gilchrist said.