Morgan County tax collections rise while investment income falls in second-quarter report
Year-to-date tax collections and investment balances increased from a year earlier, while lower yields reduced interest income and foreclosure activity shifted.
Morgan County collected $45.14 million in taxes during the second quarter of 2026, bringing year-to-date collections to $62.58 million, up 5.54% from the same period last year, the county treasurer and public trustee’s report says. The report is included in the July 21 Board of County Commissioners packet.
Total investments rose 3.92% year over year to $102.92 million, and reserve accounts rose 4.48% to $16.67 million. But year-to-date interest income fell 11.56%, to $1.74 million from $1.97 million, as the average interest rate declined to 3.838% from 4.451%. The report does not explain whether the lower return resulted from reinvestment at lower rates, portfolio changes, cash timing or another factor. It lists $34.82 million in certificates of deposit, Treasury bills and government securities, and $68.10 million in bank or government-pool accounts.
The report does not quantify an effect from the lower interest income on the county’s general fund, taxpayer rates or specific services, and it does not state that a tax change is proposed.
The county recorded 40 new foreclosure files through the second quarter, compared with 33 in the same period last year. Year-to-date cures and withdrawals declined from eight to two and from 24 to 14, respectively, while sales increased from 12 to 17 and deeds from 11 to 16. Foreclosure excess fees rose 20.06%, to $21,298.66 from $17,740.66. Releases of deeds of trust increased to 477 from 401.
The July 21 commission agenda schedules the public trustee’s April-June report for the consent agenda and the broader treasurer/public trustee report for general business. As of July 19, the meeting had not occurred, so the agenda does not establish whether commissioners will approve, discuss or otherwise act on the reports.