Dundee residents now pay school taxes at Five Star Bank

    DUNDEE (Oct. 2, 2012)—Residents of the Dundee Central School District now pay school taxes at Five Star Bank.
    As opposed to paying or sending tax payments to the school, residents will pay the district’s designated bank directly.  Business Administrator Melissa Lawson explained the taxes will go right into the school district’s account and saves them a step.  She said otherwise, the school’s tax collector would have to accept the money and deposit it at Five Star.  Lawson said tax payments can be made during regular business hours to the lockbox located in the lobby.
    Mailed payments are being directed to the Five Star Bank location in Warsaw, N.Y.  Lawson explained the Five Star Bank headquarters is located in Warsaw and that is where the lockbox processing center is.
    Lawson said September was the last month to pay taxes without interest or penalty.  She said there will now be two percent interest added on any payments made within October.  After that, she said collection would be turned over to the county.
    Using Five Star Bank’s service does have a charge to the school.  Lawson said each payment processed will cost 15 cents.  She explained the estimated total cost for Dundee will be $600.
    Several other schools in the area already have residents pay schools taxes at the bank.  Hammondsport Central School District also utilizes Five Star.  Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour use Chemung Canal Bank for tax payments.