COUNTY LAWMAKER WANTS TAX DELINQUENTS TO PAY.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: MARV CERMAK Staff writer

Schenectady Because the county has been left holding the bag for $8.4 million in delinquent property taxes, Legislator Brian Stratton is proposing an increase on the interest for back payments from 12 percent to 18 percent annually.

``The county must be more aggressive in its collection efforts,'' Stratton said Friday. ``We simply are not doing enough to make sure the county has the resources to operate.''

George Davidson, interim county manager, said delinquent taxes from 1998 to the present total about $5.1 million. He said an additional $3.3 million of delinquent taxes owed school districts must be reimbursed by …