TAMPA - Taxes on more than 46,000 properties in Hillsborough County were in arrears as of April 1, a record that indicates many county residents are facing economic difficulties.

Although the number of delinquent properties for 2008 was just 3 percent higher than the previous year, the number has risen since the real estate market started going south in 2006.

"Last year, we showed an increase," said Dana Dove, general manager of the processing operations center for county Tax Collector Doug Belden. "It's been gradually increasing every year, and it's definitely due to the economy."

Nearly $160 million in property taxes are still owed to the county for 2008, an increase of $16 million from the previous year. Dove said most of the money will eventually be paid, either by the property owners, or by mortgage holders who want to protect their interest in the property.

To encourage payment, the tax collector's office will hold a tax certificate sale for delinquent properties Saturday. Investors in such certificates generally are bidding for the interest earned on the outstanding tax debt. Although the lowest interest rate bid on a property gets the certificates, state law guarantees the winning bidders a minimum return of 5 percent.

If no one pays the tax on a property by 22 months after the sale, the certificate holder can foreclose on the property. Dove said investors are mostly interested in the interest, not the property. "Most of the time the taxes get paid and that's what we want," Dove said.

Certificates that are not sold at Saturday's sale are held for 22 months at 18 percent interest. If no one comes in to purchase the county certificates, the county will foreclose on the property as long as the value is above $5,000.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.