IRON MOUNTAIN — Dickinson County earned $82,124 in interest on investments in 2018, an increase of $29,761 from 2017.

This is due both to a better economy and the investment of library, road and some county general funds with Michigan CLASS, a local government pool that pays a higher rate, County Treasurer Lorna Carey said.

The county also collected $163,165 in interest from delinquent property tax payments, which was a decline of $22,317.

“The amount of delinquent taxes purchased decreased slightly from the year 2017, and we are collecting tax payments sooner after we begin collection, therefore decreasing the amount of interest the taxpayer is charged,” Carey explained.

The county purchased $1.64 million in delinquent taxes in 2018, down from $1.8 million the previous year. The county has a revolving fund that allows it to keep other taxing units whole while it assumes the responsibility for collecting delinquent taxes and accompanying interest penalties.

Carey told the county board this week she was pleased no county borrowing was required in 2018 to purchase delinquent taxes.

Chairman Henry Wender remarked it was “the best report we’ve had in years,” citing the higher revenues and the drop in overdue tax payments.