Duties of Treasurer's Office

Treasurer's Office

Mission Statement

The County Treasurer is the Property tax collector and Investment Officer for public funds Cibola County, As Tax collector, the treasurer bills and collects current and delinquent taxes, including taxes on real property, personal property, manufactured homes and miscellaneous monies from all Departments. The treasurer works closely with the Assessor who certifies the rates for all of above taxes and obligated to collect all taxes. Accurate records must be kept for all current and delinquent taxes. The treasurer must provide the taxpayer a tax bill by mail on November 1st of each year, with the first ½ being due by December 10th to avoid delinquent charges of penalty and interest and second ½ payment being due by May 10th of the following year. Pursuant to Section 7-38-49 and 50 NMSA 1978. If property taxes become delinquent, a one percent (1%) interest and one percent (1%) penalty shall be imposed, but the total penalty shall not exceed five percent (5%). Taxes may be paid in person, by mail, over the phone or online.

The Treasurer’s office serves as the “Counties Banker” and is responsible for collecting and depositing monies from property tax collection and from all operations of County departments i.e. Clerks, DWI, Compliance, Sheriffs fees and other services the County may provide. The treasurer disburses tax collection on the 15th of each month to appropriate governmental agencies and keeps all books and records readily available for review by any taxpayer, the county commission, the State Department of Finance and the Auditors.

Delinquency notices are mailed to property owners for any tax bill that is 30 or more day delinquent as of June 30 of each year. The notice will stress that if the taxes, penalty and interest are not paid within two years from the date of delinquency the property records will be turned over to New Mexico State Taxation and Revenue property tax collection and has the risk of being sold at public auction.  

Investments 
As the Investment Officer for the County the Treasurer is responsible for all invests of public funds for the county with the advice from Board of Finance and members of the Investment committee. The treasurer invests funds based on the rules, regulations, statutes and the Cibola County Investment policy. The majority of the investments are made through local banks in Cibola County to stimulate and improve the economy of Cibola County and its residents.

Prepayment Option In March of 2014, commission approved by resolution to make available to the taxpayer a prepayment plan. This allows the taxpayer to 10 monthly installments beginning June 1 of the year in which the bill is prepared and ending March 1 of the following year the first nine monthly payments shall each in an amount equal to 10 percent of the prior years property tax bill and the final payment on March 1 shall be in an amount equal to balance of the tax due, as indicated on the tax bill prepared and mailed.

To be eligible for this program you must be current with property taxes. This option is not available if your taxes are escrowed and included in your monthly payment. Once enrolled the taxpayer will have to sign a prepayment agreement and receive ten payment coupons beginning June 1 of the year in which the estimated tax bill is prepared and ending March 1 of the following year.

Please be advised that if the balance of the property taxes is not paid by the delinquent date, penalty and interest will accrue and the monthly tax agreement will be void and terminated. All monthly tax payments are non-refundable.

NOTICE

If your property tax(es) is/are severely delinquent. By state statute, if we do not receive payment for all delinquent taxes in full including penalty & interest on or before June 30, 2019, we are required to turn your property over to the New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department - Property Tax Division. (7-38-61 NMSA)

The consequences of your property tax being sent to the New Mexico Property Tax Division results in:  A $125 Cost to State penalty; (7-38-62 NMSA) and Possibility of your land being auctioned off by the state of NM. (7-38-65 NMSA)
*In accordance with 7-38-49 and 7-38-50 NMSA, “…interest on the unpaid taxes shall accrue from the thirtieth day after they are due until the date they are paid…  If property taxes become delinquent, a penalty of one percent of the delinquent taxes for each month shall be imposed, but the total penalty shall not exceed five percent of the delinquent taxes...” 

The Treasurer is authorized to accept partial payments to assist you in bringing your account current (Reg. 3.6.7.71).   I strongly urge you to pay all property taxes through tax year 2019 on or before June 30, 2022 and work a payment plan out for your 2020 & 2021 taxes with the county Treasurer’s Office.  By law, the Treasurer is required to send all delinquent accounts of more than two years to the New Mexico Taxation & Revenue Department – Property Tax Division by June 30, 2018.  Please contact our office if you have any questions.  We look forward to receiving your payment. 
A ($30.00) fee will be imposed on all returned checks (Resolution 19-14)