The deadline for paying second-half year real estate taxes is 4 p.m. Friday.

Lawrence County Treasurer Stephen Dale Burcham said as of Thursday of last week, real estate tax collections amounted to $4.028 million and he anticipates this tax collection period will meet or slightly exceed last year’s second half tax collection period.

Burcham said the July 2 delinquent property tax sale had a double-sided effect. On the one hand, the auction of properties brought in roughly $56,000 on 26 parcels of land on which back taxes are owed. But it also nudged other property owners who are delinquent to settle their debts with his office.

“The Friday after the sale the courthouse was closed because of the Fourth of July holiday but then Monday (July 6) we were swamped with people who were concerned that their property might be sold at the next property tax sale,” Burcham said. “We probably set up more contracts on that one day.”

Those who are delinquent on their taxes but whose property is not on the delinquent sale list may go to the treasurer’s office and establish a payment scheduled to bring their taxes current.

The second tax sale is 10 a.m. Thursday at the Lawrence County Courthouse. Burcham said approximately 150 parcels of real estate will be offered for sale at that time.