Jasper County Solid Waste Manager Robert Morris says many property owners in the county still do not completely understand who is responsible for payment when it comes to taking care of solid waste fees, especially with rental properties, and he is trying to reach property owners in the county in a effort to get them to pay their bill before the 2021 year begins.
Morris explained last week all solid waste customers in the county with an outstanding balance should quickly pay their bills before the new billing cycle comes out, or measures can be taken. He focused more on property renters that are held responsible for solid waste fees as well as their tenants.
“This is a last ditch effort to try and reach out to solid waste customers to get their solid waste paid before the new billing comes out, which will be in December for the 2021 year,” he explained. “I am reaching out more to property owners because we have a lot of people who rent out trailers or homes, and they are not holding their tenants responsible for paying the solid waste. Then, it falls back on the property owners. State law says that counties have the authority to hold their (vehicle) tags, as well as their tenants' (tags). I have run into several people that are unaware of this.”
Morris said other measures that can be taken on unpaid solid waste accounts are that liens can be placed on properties and state income taxes can be garnished.
“We strongly encourage solid waste customers to come in and take care of their debt before the next billing cycle comes out,” he explained.