Haywood County Tax Collector David Francis said collections are on track to match averages in past years — typically a collection rate of 96 percent.

Though real estate property tax collections are stronger than they've been in years, motor vehicle tax collections are significantly lower.

As it stands now, 89.49 percent of the revenue expected from property tax bills mailed out last fall has been paid. Penalties are assessed on bills paid after the January due date, and the county commissioners on Monday cleared the way for names of delinquent taxpayers to be published in March.

Out of the $37.5 million billed, $33.2 million due from property taxes has already been paid. That total is the sixth highest the county has seen at this point in the collection process in a decade, Francis added.