Treasurer said bad data from mortgage companies resulted in some erroneous tax bills

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BY BILL DOLAN
bdolan@nwitimes.com
219.662.5328 | Tuesday, October 07, 2008 | (13 comment(s))

CROWN POINT | Lake County Treasurer John Petalas told some homeowners Monday to tear up property tax bills they received in the mail last week.

Petalas said errors committed by several lending institutions caused his office to mail tax bills to homeowners who wouldn't normally get the bills because they pay their taxes through bank escrow accounts.

The county's first round of provisional tax bills began arriving in area mailboxes earlier this month and were sent to more than 200,000 real estate owners or their lending institutions.

The bills likely will be a pleasant surprise to most because they will be about 30 percent lower than last year -- a result of tax relief provided by the Indiana General Assembly.

However, the paper bills were a surprise to property owners who weren't expecting a bill because they satisfy their taxes through their mortgage payments.

Petalas said an undetermined number were mistakenly sent to the owners' addresses instead of their mortgage companies.

"We had three small mortgage companies and Countrywide that have to mail us upgrades to let us know who has a mortgage and who doesn't. The first batch of upgrades they sent us were wrong," Petalas said.

"The mortgage companies acknowledged the problem and sent us the corrected updates. We sent new bills to the escrow companies. Those people who got the bills in error can simply tear them up and throw them away."

Petalas said there also have been a few complaints from taxpayers who went to area bank branches to pay their taxes.

The treasurer's office has for several years had an agreement with American Savings FSB, American Trust and Savings Bank, First Midwest Bank, Centier Bank, Citizens Financial Services, Chase Bank, DeMotte State Bank, Mercantile National Bank, National City Bank, Peoples Bank and First Financial Bank to accept property tax payments on behalf of the county.

However, because the state hasn't yet given the county its tax rate for this year, the treasurer was forced to mail out estimated provisional tax bills to collect at least half of the money local governments need to make payrolls and meet other operational bills.

Petalas said because of these special circumstances, the banks only will accept payment of the exact amount printed on the provisional bills.

He said property owners who cannot afford to make full payment or who want to pay their entire year's tax liability must come into the treasurer's office to make special arrangements.

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To Bull Kevin wrote on Oct 8, 2008 12:27 PM:

" First of all, who said it was 200k tax bills, not everyone in Lake County deals with Countrywide which by the way, if you do they're a pain in the neck. I am surprised that "Wet Hen" hasn't chimed in on this one with his brainful advice. How is the County Treasurer responsible for what the mortgage companies sent him. It's the mortgage companies fault for sending the wrong info. How can the Treasurer dig into someone's private escrow account? It's amazing what these blogs actually blame the county for, it's also ridiculous!!! Why don't you run for public office and put a target on your back and see how you like it. It really doesn't matter what someone does no matter how hard the county tries, it's never good enough. All you want to do is sit there in judgement. "

Bull wrote on Oct 7, 2008 10:52 PM:

" Wow, 200,000 pieces of mail that shouldn't have gone out? Who is paying for the postage and administrative costs for this huge mailing? If it's true that it's Countrywide's fault, shouldn't the county be seeking restitution? Something here doesn't smell right. "

To everyone... wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:35 PM:

" Walk in the shoes of others than judge... "

To Kevin wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:33 PM:

" Hey the Debates over.. Why don't you give us your wnoderfull wisdom on that one. Maybe you and your nobodies can inform us who our next president is going tobe!! Get a life. "

To the CountryWide Emp wrote on Oct 7, 2008 9:28 PM:

" If you work for CountryWide tell me...why is it the updates were not run properly? Explain to your customers why you give a bogus escrow amount based on your calculation and why their mortgage amounts increased? Not to mentioned the interest money your company is gaining. It seems to me Mr. Petalas is doing a fine job. Countrywide is only out for no.1 COUNTRYWIDE!!! "

to to kevin wrote on Oct 7, 2008 7:12 PM:

" I work for Countrywide and rest assured we did not make the mistake here, this is John Petalas' office making the mistakes. The fact that he would lie to you tax payers and accuse someone else just goes to show you that this guy has no business running the Treasurer's office. "

To too Kevin wrote on Oct 7, 2008 3:37 PM:

" I am not the "know it all" you think me to be. But I do know enough to know the difference in the use of "too" and "to". But your poor English skills aside, yes, Mr. Petalas has only been at this for two years. I do have to admit though, he is improving. Instead of our bi-annual tax bills being due in one lump sum like last Febuary, he's got some spread to this years taxes in that half is due this month and the second installment is due....when everybody???? CHRISTMAS TIME!!!! Merry Christmas! If things aren't bad enough in the world financially, we get to not only get reamed twice in one year, but also at Christmas time by our wonderful Lake County Treasurer's office. Smell that? sniff,sniff....smells like flame torches..... "

too Kevin wrote on Oct 7, 2008 2:26 PM:

" Kevin, you sound like one of those "I know it all" type of guys. I think the next election in 2010, that you should run for Lke Cty Treasurer. It sounds like you have a plan to correct everything. Countrywide mortgage messed up. They sent incorrect data to the County building. They even admitted it. How is that the fault of the Treasurer? The state of Indiana has had tax rate information for several weeks now, and have yet to approve a tax rate. They just now started sending out budget orders to governmental units all across the state. These orders were due in February of 2008. They are now coming out over 8 months late. Perhaps not everything is the fault of local officials. Petalas is a straight up guy. He has been in office for just 2 years. These late tax bills have been an issue state wide for over 4 years, long before he came around. Heres an idea Kevin, why dont you call your local state legislators or have a mob converge on their offices. They caused this mess. "

Kevin wrote on Oct 7, 2008 1:47 PM:

" Too bad we can't get the mob that attended the flood meeting in Munster last night, to storm the Lake County Government Center and demand Petalas quit his office. How much more proof do taxpayers need to make a determination that the guy is an infective department head? "

On behalf of Lenders wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:33 PM:

" Just to make a comment...there was not a problem on the lenders side. Lake County needs to stop blaming everyone else. No errors were made by the lending institutions. County messed up again. "

Excuses Excuses wrote on Oct 7, 2008 12:22 PM:

" That's all we here from this clown. It's always someone else's fault that the bills are late or sent to the wrong place.

Hate to say it Mr. Petalas but we need you to find a job in the private sector. I don't recall you doing anything right, EVER! Next month, NO VOTE for YOU!!!

Brush up your resume, I'm sure there is a Dollar Store you might be qualified to stock shelves at somewhere. "

ralph wrote on Oct 7, 2008 8:15 AM:

" It's been like 3 years now, when are they going to get it together. How can the state not give them their rate yet. Both state and local agencies should be held accountable for this never ending mess. It's a disgrace. "

bobby ray edwards wrote on Oct 7, 2008 6:25 AM:

" Passing the buck on to the lending institutions is typical of the counties general tendency. Own up to your own hand in this debacle and be accountable? Not a chance. It's easier to blame someone else. Who's going to pay for the unnecessary postage? Likely the homeowners who aren't getting the discounted tax rate this time around? Way to go Times for putting such a positive spin on Patelas' spin. "

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