North Carolina county owes more than $26 million in taxes

The most populous county in North Carolina said residents owe more than $26 million in 2008 taxes. Many delinquent taxpayers said the poor economy is the reason they can not pay.

Mecklenburg County has run an ad in the Charlotte Observer listing more than 28,000 overdue tax bills. The taxes are owed on houses, land, business equipment and personal property such as cars or boats.

The county’s tax collector said the taxes are the county’s largest revenue source. Mecklenberg County is facing a nearly $80 million shortfall in next year’s budget.