By Heidi Glaus
St. Charles County, Mo (KSDK) -- The Collector of Revenue offices have been busy lately. NewsChannel 5 viewer Nancy Ratzlaff, of St. Charles County, wanted to know why she makes her check out to Michelle D. McBride, so Heidi went out to answer her question in this week's Hey Heidi! segment.
If you Google St. Charles County Collector of Revenue and you'll find a list of frequently asked questions. How much are my taxes? Rates by location, important dates and a picture of Michelle D. McBride, but nowhere on the page does it explain why we make our check out to Michelle. So Heidi decided to maneuver through the people paying their property taxes and find out.
"Because of the bonding requirements and the personal liability laid out in chapter 52 of the Missouri state statutes most of the collectors in the state of Missouri have opted to have the people write the checks to them because we're personally liable," McBride explains.
But for the record, you technically have three options.
"If someone asks, we'll tell them you can make it payable to Michelle D. McBride, Michelle D. McBride St. Charles County Collector, St. Charles County Collector, whichever the three you're most comfortable with," McBride adds.
And in case you were wondering, collectors aren't required to use his or her middle initial.
"No, I know collectors who do not use their middle initial. I've always done it because I feel like it's my legal name," McBride says.
Of course when so many people write your name on a check without ever really seeing you, you tend to draw some attention when your name is announced.
"I was at the doctor's office last Friday, and the girl goes 'I just have to ask are you the Michelle McBride I write my check to?' Yes," McBride says with a little laugh when retelling the story.
KSDK