HUNTER SMITH/FOR THE EXPRESS Debra Burger, president of the Centre County Tax Collector Association, holds an example of the type of trifold bill certain Centre County residents may expect to receive this tax season due to changes with the county’s tax collection software.

BELLEFONTE — If you’re a Centre County resident, keep an eye on your mail this tax season, as you may receive two separate real estate tax bills.

Debra Burger, president of the Centre County Tax Collector Association, addressed county residents at this week’s commissioners meeting, aiming to reduce confusion over the new tax system by notifying those expecting real estate tax bills that they may receive them in two separate mailings, depending on their municipality.

Burger, who also serves as the tax collector for the borough of Bellefonte said she’s “trying to alleviate some of the calls and problems for the tax collectors with the new system.”

In January, county commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with Government Software Services, Inc. (GSS) to transition from RBA Data Systems to GSS’s tax software. With this change, Burger noted that local tax collectors will no longer mail out tax bills; instead, they will be sent by a company in Wayne County.

Some municipalities however have chosen to keep working with RBA, which is based in Lemont. Taxpayers in those boroughs and townships should expect one bill to arrive from their local tax collector as it has in the past, plus a second trifold bill.

Burger urged the public to be mindful of the change to avoid accidentally discarding either bill.

She also noted that because the elected tax collectors will no longer be mailing out the bills, that individuals with escrows should understand they will not be mailing them directly to escrow companies either.

“We strongly suggest that if you have an escrow that you get in touch with your mortgage company and you see that they receive the figures to pay your taxes,” said Burger.

The president of the Centre County Tax Collector Association (CCTA) also took the opportunity to speak on behalf of the tax collectors, whom Burger said felt frustrated by the need to computerize their operations and unsatisfied by the proposed compensation change presented to them by County Administrator John Franek, Jr.

According to Burger, some of the tax collectors were upset that with the adoption of the new software they had to either buy personal computers or wifi signal boosters for their homes. The need to do so, they said, was not expressed to them when they assumed their roles in 2021.

Burger said that while they were grateful for the 50-cent per bill increase awarded by the commissioners in 2024, tax collectors overall felt that the county’s proposed compensation plan for the next term of office was insufficient. The change is scheduled to be addressed in a resolution before county commissioners on Feb. 11.

“After last evening’s email, I have heard from multiple collectors, and we would like to express our disappointment — especially for the years ’26-’27 — as they are substantially below our original request,” said Burger. “We respectfully request that the compensation for ’26-’27 be adjusted to match the planned increase for ’28-’29.”

The adjustment requested by the president of the CCTCA amounts to an increase of $541.80 for each of the county’s 30 elected tax collectors. Totaling $16,254, Burger noted the request is a meager piece of the county’s $135 million annual budget.

“We appreciate your consideration of this request — of upping (tax collector compensation) from the 50 cents to the dollar for the entire four year term — after 22 years of committed service,” she said.