City treasurer Gary Cantrell demonstrates a new feature on Shelbyville's Internet site that will allow residents to pay their property taxes online and search for related information. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The new service can be found on the upper left hand side of the city's web page at www.shelbyvilletn.org.

City treasurer Gary Cantrell said the new feature allows citizens to pay taxes by credit card or check. There is a small service fee, Cantrell said.

"We don't want the taxpayer to have to foot the bill and reduce our revenues by having the city pay for it," he said.

Also, since the tax information is public record, anyone can search the figures, Cantrell explained. "It's the same information that's at the assessor's office," he said.

Searches can be made by the owner's name, property address, the receipt number or the map parcel number, which is used by realtors and lawyers.

Having the information online means saving for the city as well, Cantrell said.

"Fifty percent of our phone calls used to be lawyers wanting title searches, realtors ... it's convenient for them to be able to look it up and it saves taxpayer money because we have to take the time to field those calls," he said.

Cantrell suggests when looking up what you owe, to be sure to click the box that says "include paid taxes" before starting a search.

"This should be a convenience to the taxpayer and should save the city some money," he said.