In a recent post about the tax collection situation in Columbia, there was a link to the Lancaster County Tax Collectors’ Listing at the County’s Website. That link listed the 2011 collecting agencies and individuals; here is a link to the 2102 listing.

Yesterday, Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. published an article (“Meiskey will collect taxes” – MyColumbiaNews) announcing that the Borough would assume the role of tax collection agency for borough tax payment. In Lancaster County, five of the 18 (28%) boroughs collect their own taxes. Another 28% have a local tax collector do the task of tax collection. Eight boroughs have tax collection duties to the Lancaster County Treasurer.

Population figures, US Census 2010 and *- estimated figures from city-data.com

Curiously, Pennsylvania’s laws do provide for a tax collector for each jurisdiction; here again is the link to the Tax Collector’s Manual … in case you want to consider running for tax collector next time that office is on the ballot.

What’s the pay? You would have to get that information from the borough, but if you assume seventy-five cents per taxable property (3,772, according to the article) plus associated fees and charges, that could be in the area of $3,000 a year. Right now, that might translate into a new revenue stream for the borough.