By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
As the old adage goes, nothing in this world can said to be certain except death and taxes. Property owners in Barton County will soon be receiving their tax statements. Treasurer Jim Jordan said the county is now offering escrow accounts to help residents save up money to pay those taxes.
"I had a gentleman come in the other day, open up a new escrow account, and put $800 in there for his taxes," Jordan said. "He had the money now, and he said if he put it in a savings account, he knows it's there and he would spend it. It works out nicely. You pick the amount and we put it in your account for you."
Setting up an escrow account is as simple as stopping by the treasurer's office on the first floor of the Barton County Courthouse and establishing an account.
"The only thing we do not do is we will not withdraw it from your bank account because there's a charge to do that to the county," Jordan said. "We just let you send us a check, you can stop by and drop it off, you can mail it. Check, cash, money order, however you want to do it."
Money in the escrow account will later be applied to any outstanding tax bill. By law, money in the escrow accounts are kept in non-interest bearing accounts.