JACKSON — Municipalities that have Northampton County collect their ad valorem taxes will see a one percent increase in the fee to provide that service.

On Monday, the Northampton County Board of Commissioners approved to increase the fee on towns that utilize the service from three to four percent of the amount of taxes collected.

In addition, the commissioners agreed to collect taxes for the town of Gaston beginning this upcoming fiscal year. The county already collects ad valorem taxes for Lasker, Woodland and Rich Square.

Northampton County Tax Administrator Cathy Allen came before the board with a decision paper for a contractual agreement between the county and the town of Gaston for ad valorm tax collection.

Gaston Mayor Timothy Andrews sent a letter dated April 13 to Commission Chair Fannie Greene expressing a desire for the county to begin collecting property taxes under a recommendation by the Local Government Commission to improve tax collection in the town.

Allen noted in her decision paper that at a three percent cost of what is collected in Gaston the county would receive approximately $4,822-$5,100.

The commissioners discussed increasing the cost of collecting town taxes by one percent.

Greene asked her colleagues to consider that it was a tight budget year for the towns and some had already formulated their budgets.

Commissioner Robert Carter said he understood it was a tight budget year for everyone and if the service was going to be offered then the municipalities using it should pay for the service.

Carter offered a motion to approve the contractual agreement between the town of Gaston and the county for services to be rendered and effective July 1. Commissioner Virginia Spruill offered a second and the motion passed without objection.

Additionally, Carter moved to approve to increase the municipal tax collection fee from three to four percent and Spruill offered a second. The motion passed without objection.