MOULTRIE, Ga. — That date on the calendar that comes each year before Christmas, bringing with it chills and fright is fast approaching.

No, not Oct. 31, when ghouls and goblins knock on doors for candy, but Dec. 10 — the day property taxes come due.

The Colquitt County Tax Commission office mailed out notices this week that should arrive soon if they have not already been received. Property owners are billed for costs associated with the operation of county services, school taxes, and for municipalities for those who live in incorporated areas.

The good news is that most taxpayers should pay less this year than in 2015, according to Colquitt County Tax Commissioner Cindy Harvin. That’s because Colquitt County Commission and Colquitt County School Board lowered their millage rates slightly.

However, Doerun and Norman Park city councils raised their rates, so property taxpayers there likely will pay slightly more, Harvin said in a news release.

To make payments, those who receive notices can either mail in their checks, use a debit or credit card, go to the tax commissioner’s office between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, or drop them in a drop box located at the rear of the Colquitt County Courthouse Annex building.

Those who use checks should include two telephone numbers; using a debit card incurs a fee of 2.2 percent of the total plus 30 cents.

Taxpayers also can make payments at colquittcountytax.com. Those who have an escrow account can check at the same address to check on whether the lienholder has made their payment.

Those who receive a bill on property that has been sold can return it to the tax commission office or send it to the new owner.