Pottsville city council members have had enough of the city not being paid for collecting real estate taxes for the county and is keeping the money until it is compensated.

“We are just fed up,” city council member Mark Atkinson said Monday after the city council meeting.

Atkinson said the council unanimously took the action by resolution. He said the city is owed to date about $73,000.

“By the end of the year, it will roughly be about $86,000,” Atkinson said.

Earlier in September, Atkinson told the county commissioners the city was tired of being patient. At that time, the county owed the city $46,000. The city has not yet received payment even after sending monthly bills to the county.

“We’re tired of being bullied. We are keeping what is ours,” Atkinson said, adding the city has tried to cooperate with the county.

Mayor James T. Muldowney said the county needs to do the right thing.

“They owe us money. They are not paying us. We need to be paid. We are looking at raising taxes possibly,” he said.

Commissioners Barron “Boots” Hetherington and Gary Hess were unaware of the situation in September. Hetherington declined comment Monday until he speaks to County Administrator Gary Bender and the solicitor’s office. Hess and Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. did not return a call for comment.

The Local Tax Collection Law of May 25, 1945, spells out the collection of taxes by counties, cities and other entities. Section 33 compensation and expenses of tax collector in cities of the third class city shared is applicable.

First Assistant County Solicitor Glenn Roth said previously the county is trying to be fiscally responsible. He said the law requires taxing districts to pay the cost of the city treasurer and assistants as well as office expenses. He said previously the county issued prompt payment, adding the county wanted confirmation they are only paying for city employees to collect county taxes.

Back in September, Bender said he was optimistic a meeting could be held soon involving county and city officials. Atkinson said to date no such meeting has taken place.

City solicitor Thomas J. Pellish said previously the city could verify the billing the county received is for tax collection. Roth, Pellish and Bender did not return calls for comment Monday.