By Rayon Dyer, Gleaner Writer MORE THAN one thousand persons in St. Elizabeth have written to the Black River Collectorate of the Inland Revenue Department objecting to the amount of property tax they are now required to pay. But, despite the objections, the revenue office has made it clear that the taxpayers are required to pay three quarters of what the government has valued their properties at. Speaking in an interview with The Gleaner at her office recently, acting compliance officer at the Black River Collectorate, Clover Murray, said just over 1,000 individuals in the parish have written to the collectorate objecting to the value of their properties (the value bonds). "People must understand that property taxes have increased and we have to deal with it, because it will not go away," Mrs. Murray said. "Despite some people objecting to the value bonds, others are coming in to pay their property taxes. Our in-house projection for collection was set at $6 million but, we have surpassed that by collecting $9.4 million up to the end of February." QUARTERLY INSTALLMENTS She urged persons, who were having difficulties meeting the stipulated property tax, to consider paying the tax in quarterly installments. "There are conditions, conditions were always around and it is in the law where persons can come in and make quarterly payments, or pay in full. I must say, we do encourage things like that, especially in cases where persons are finding it difficult to pay the taxes," she said. Mrs. Murray also urged persons who have not paid their taxes to come to the office and speak to the compliance officer and to arrange a payment schedule with the collectorate. The property tax review committee is still receiving applications from persons who are seeking discretionary relief on the increased property taxes. According to chairman of property tax review board for St. Elizabeth, Jason Henzell, the parish so far has seen an increase in property tax collection of 151 per cent, with actual collection up from $1 million to $26 million. "We are trying to deal with the application we have received for discretionary relief, however, I must say that we are only giving relief in cases where the need was critical and persons were having financial difficulties," Mr. Henzell stressed.