Difficult economic times did not keep 82 percent of the county’s property owners and 71 percent of the mobile home owners from paying their 2009 taxes on time.

Collections are down, however, said Jenkins County Tax Commissioner Brenda Mathern.

Under normal circumstances, 90 percent of the county’s property owners and 80 percent of the mobile home owners would pay their property taxes on time, Mathern said. She attributed the slump in collections to the fact that so many are unemployed in the county.

“Times are hard,” Mathern said.

Those who did not pay their taxes on time can expect to receive another bill soon. They can also expect to pay a little more. Late fees are 1 percent for each month past due. Also, at the 90 day mark a 10 percent penalty is added.