Editor,

Island County retrieves its mail from the post office daily at 8:30 a.m. By 10, it has been distributed to the appropriate department or office’s mailboxes.

When we picked up our mail today, Sept. 25, it included several tax payments. Of the 70 or so envelopes we received, 29 were postmarked Aug. 29 and 20 were postmarked Sept. 5, stamped as processed and distributed in Seattle. Mail can take a month or more to be delivered.

When you call our office and insist that you mailed something in August and we tell you we have not received it, please do not assume we have lost your check. Your payment is posted according to the date postmarked on the envelope. Any late fees caused by the delayed delivery are waived.

Our office offers electronic options for paying your taxes that avoid possible mail delay — Autopay, payment by credit or debit cards, payment by eCheck – details are on our website www.islandcountywa.gov/treasurer.

Or, come to the office in person or drop off your payment in the drop box. Oh, by the way: The deadline for second half tax payments is Oct. 31.

Wanda Grone

County treasurer