By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWarren County taxpayers have a new payment method to take care of their property tax bills.The collector’s office recently began accepting credit and debit card payments.The 2015 real estate and personal property bills were mailed this week, according to Collector Julie Schaumberg.All tax bills must be paid in full or postmarked by Dec. 31 to avoid late penalties.The county has contracted with Forte to provide payments to be made with a credit or debit card. Users will be charged a 2.5 percent convenience fee, or $3.95 if the payment is made using a Visa debit card.Since introducing the new payment option in late September, it has been met with positive feedback.“People are so happy to have this option,” Schaumberg said. “It gives them the option. So far it has gone good.”Payments must be made in person at the collector’s office, located on the main floor of the Warren County Administration Building at 101 Mockingbird Lane in Warrenton, online at warrencountymo.org/collector, or by mail.No payments will be accepted over the phone, Schaumberg emphasized.A drop box also is located at the main entrance of the administration building where payments can be placed. Payments will be removed from the drop box following the midnight deadline on Dec. 31.Any payments considered late will be returned because they don’t include additional fees for interest owed. All mailed payments must have a 2015 postmark.Payments can still be made with cash, check, cashier’s check or money order. Checks should be made payable to the Warren County Collector Fund.Schaumberg warns taxpayers with an immediate need for a paid receipt should make their payment in person. Otherwise, a paid receipt will be mailed and should be received within five to seven days. This includes payments made online.The collector’s office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and will be closed on Nov. 11, Nov. 27, Dec. 24-25. The office will have extended hours on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 8 a.m.-noon.Overall, tax bills total $31,606,615.92 in combined real estate and personal property taxes for 2015, according to Schaumberg. Of that figure, $25,814,668.87 is for real estate taxes and $5,791,947.05 is for personal property taxes.For more information, contact the collector’s office at 636-456-3330.Warren County Administration Building