Bug in new tax-tracking software pushes up property tax refund total

Bugs in the county’s new Terrascan tax tracking software resulted in an increase in the amount of property taxes refunded by Whitman County in 2010.

Treasurer Robert Lothspeich last week informed county commissioners his office refunded $20,121 to property owners last year.

For 2009, the county refunded $1,780.62 in property taxes.

Most of the 2010 total was attributed to mistakes brought on by the Terrascan software.

The new system improperly calculated some personal property valuations, said Lothspeich. In total, the improper calculations equaled $7,033.16.

Another $1,195.50 was refunded to...