Mars Area School District heard from Mars Borough tax collector Renea Pomeroy Tuesday night about a letter she sent to board members last month.

The subject of that letter: the district's compensation for tax collectors.

“I'm not sure how many of you are aware of the work your tax collectors provide,” Pomeroy said. “The compensation does not cover even the state minimum wage when you calculate the hours worked.”

Referencing a lawsuit filed three years ago within the district because of the “drastic and unlawful reduction” of collector compensation, Pomeroy asked the district to revisit its current collector rates.

“I realize the school may be suffering financially through COVID-19,” Pomeroy said. “But this is not a request for just a raise.”

Citing the state tax collector manual, Pomeroy said collectors are to receive a “reasonable compensation.”

According to Pomeroy, that means compensation must cover the cost of conducting business.

Pomeroy said several years ago, the district paid tax collectors $12.50 per bill for the first 600 bills. Compensation for every bill after the first 600 was $3.50. That rate was later cut to $2. Starting in 2022, it will be increased to $2.75 a card.

Pomeroy said that in the information she provided to the board, she estimates neighboring districts pay their tax collectors about $6 per additional bill. The $2.75 rate is inadequate, according to Pomeroy.

“You are only allowed to pass a change in compensation once every four years,” Pomeroy said.

She added she didn't speak up about the issue before because she wants to have a good relationship with the school. This is Pomeroy's first term as tax collector. She's up for re-election in November.

Pomeroy said she personally collects and is legally held responsible for about $1 million for the district.

“It's kind of a problem to only collect $1,200 (in compensation) during the period of time that I'm collecting for the school board,” Pomeroy said.

As a professional and an elected official, Pomeroy asked the board to reconsider the current compensation rate.

The board did not respond to Pomeroy's comments during the meeting.