Schuylkill County property tax collections rose slightly from 2015 to 2016, and the per capita levy has stayed pretty much the same for years.

The property tax collection rate edged up from 91 percent to 92 percent, with a 7 percent delinquency rate.But, said county Treasurer Linda L. Marchalk, the $5 per capita collection rate stayed at only 66 percent, with delinquency rising from 24 percent in 2015 to 25 percent last year.The amount of property tax collected in 2015 was $32,654,193; in 2016, it rose to $32,928,097. Per capita tax revenues collected in 2015 were $322,230; in 2016, the amount dropped to $318,440.Marchalk on Wednesday asked county commissioners to authorize a meeting of her office, the county solicitor, county Finance Director Paul E. Buber, and the Tax Assessment office to discuss how to increase the per capita collection rate."Is there something else we as a county could be doing to lower that delinquency rate?" Marchalk asked.She said the state eliminated tax assessors in 2010, and "now it's saying the tax collectors need to act as assessors, but I don't think anybody is taking ownership in that per capita tax (collection). I think there are things we could be doing a little bit better to decrease that delinquency rate."Commissioners expect to approve Marchalk's list of each municipality's collection rates next Wednesday.Commissioner Gary J. Hess wondered if any new per capita tax payers are being added to the rolls.People drop off the rolls due to death or moving from the county."But are we picking up new people who are moving in? We're looking at about $79,000 that's not coming on," he said.Marchalk agreed, and said the county needs to find a way to have landlords provide information on their tenants to make sure they pay the tax.She said the Tamaqua borough and school district, for example, do a good job of providing that information, but some municipalities don't."There are some places that are really good, and some places that are really bad. I think we just kind of have to look at that and not rely on the municipality or the school district. Let's have the county maybe implement something," Marchalk said.She mentioned "monitoring transfer tax rolls to see what properties have been transferred, then move forward to follow up there."In other matters Wednesday, commissioners agreed to seek requests for qualifications from qualified firms to prepare asbestos assessments for the demolition program funded through a state grant.The requests are due Feb. 13, with an award date of Feb. 15.In January, the county received $1.4 million through the state Department of Community and Economic Development to raze blighted buildings.The asbestos assessments would be done on buildings scheduled to be demolished.The first project is at 3 E. Sunbury St., Minersville.Demolition bids are due in the Controllers Office by 4 p.m. Feb. 27.The bids will be opened March 1, with a tentative award date of March 8.Local tax collection ratesSchuylkill County Treasurer Linda L. Marchalk on Wednesday released tax collection rates in local municipalities:Coaldale: Property tax collection rate in 2015, 86 percent; in 2016, 82 percent. Per capita: 58 percent in 2015; 57 percent in 2016.Delano: Property tax collection rate in 2015, 91 percent; in 2016, 89 percent. Per capita: 63 percent in 2015; 58 percent in 2016.East Brunswick Township: Property tax collection rate in 2015, 95 percent; in 2016, 96 percent. Per capita: 79 percent in 2015; 79 percent in 2016.Kline Township: Property tax collection rate in 2015, 93 percent; in 2016, 93 percent. Per capita: 79 percent in 2015; 78 percent in 2016.McAdoo: Property tax collection rate in 2015, 90 percent; in 2016, 90 percent. Per capita: 73 percent in 2015; 74 percent in 2016.New Ringgold: Property tax collection rate in 2015, 96 percent; in 2016, 92 percent. Per capita: 65 percent in 2015; 60 percent in 2016.Rush Township: Property tax collection rate in 2015, 95 percent; in 2016, 96 percent. Per capita: 73 percent in 2015; 73 percent in 2016.Ryan Township: Property tax collection rate in 2015, 94 percent; in 2016, 96 percent. Per capita: 77 percent in 2015; 78 percent in 2016.Schuylkill Township: Property tax collection rate in 2015, 90 percent; in 2016, 90 percent. Per capita: 71 percent in 2015; 70 percent in 2016.Tamaqua: Property tax collection rate in 2015, 86 percent; in 2016, 87 percent. Per capita: 58 percent in 2015; 58 percent in 2016.Walker Township: Property tax collection rate in 2015, 96 percent; in 2016, 97 percent. Per capita: 76 percent in 2015; 72 percent in 2016.West Penn Township: Property tax collection rate in 2015, 95 percent; in 2016, 95 percent. Per capita: 79 percent in 2015; 77 percent in 2016.