Most talk about city-county consolidation is in the big-picture category, but a new and combined method of going after property tax delinquents provides the latest evidence of how little changes can go a long way, and in the right direction.

Allegheny County Treasurer John Weinstein and Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb advocated for the change, and they hope it eventually will lead to combined municipal and school district tax collection countywide.

Starting Jan. 1, Jordan Tax Service will assume responsibility for going after Pittsburgh property owners who are behind in paying their city and school district taxes. Jordan has had a contract to collect delinquent county property taxes for the past six years, and it is pursuing old bills due the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, too. City Council last month approved an outsourcing agreement that twins the city and county efforts.

It makes perfect sense to send combined dunning notices to these property owners, and to have one agency pursuing such deadbeats. This service won't come with a cost for punctual taxpayers. Jordan tacks an extra 10 percent onto the bills, so it is compensated by the delinquents when they make good on their debts. Mr. Lamb estimates that as much as $35 million in delinquent city and $60 million in late school taxes could be out there for the collecting, on top of an estimated $40 million in tardy water bills.

If this is successful, the next step would be for the city and county to consolidate their collection of current property taxes. Mr. Weinstein and Mr. Lamb said they don't see any reason why a coordinated effort couldn't eventually include all 43 school districts and 130 municipalities in the county. We have to agree.

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