By Travis Gettys
Enquirer contributor

FLORENCE - City council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to cut property and real estate taxes.

The more significant cut, in personal property taxes, would cut the rate from $3.82 per $1,000 of assessed value to $3.40.

That would give the average homeowner a $42.84 savings on property taxes, based on a 2000 U.S. Census figure showing a $102,000 median property value., with that tax falling from $389.64 to $346.80.

Although property value has not changed since rates were set last year, the city has added nearly $56.5 million in new property in that same period through annexation and development, said Finance Director Linda Chapman.

"There's just a lot of housing growth in the city right now, and new development on Houston Road," Chapman said.

Council will also vote on a proposal to cut real estate taxes from $1.80 per $1,000 of assessed value to $1.79.

Tax bills will be sent out Oct. 1 and will be due no later than Dec. 31, Chapman said.