Covington County property owners still owe $537,134 in property taxes that are now overdue, according to figures compiled by the Covington County Revenue Commission office yesterday.

The office started with $11.8 million in property taxes due, but has collected $11.3 million.

Each month that a property owner does not pay his property taxes the interest will go up. Since Feb. 1, the interest has increased to 2 percent and a $5 penalty per parcel.

“Right now people aren’t too worried about it, but whenever March hits that is when people start to get a little crazy,” Diane Thompkins said.

Starting March 1, the interest will go up to 4 percent interest charge and $20 per parcel.

“We will advertise an auction three consecutive weeks in April, but those dates haven’t been determined yet,” Thompkins said, “then the sale will occur in the middle of May.”

Covington County Revenue Commissioner George Patterson said, “It is my job every year to not sell anything. We are blessed to live in a county where the taxes are not bad so hopefully we will see people come in and pay.”

Patterson said that bills can always be paid online at www.covcounty.com since the weather has been unpredictable lately.

Payments may also be made by mail or in person. To pay online or pay by credit card in the office, there will be a 2.35 percent processing fee.

The office is open weekdays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

For more information call 428-2540.