CROWN POINT | Lake County officials want taxes from property owners paid in one lump sum.

Treasurer John Petalas said the county is canceling its customary two-installment tax payment plan for 2006 payable 2007 property taxes because bills are coming out late this year.

He said a single payment will be due sometime in late January.

Petalas said he and County Auditor Peggy Katona are petitioning the state to give taxpayers who cannot afford to make a large single payment a break.

He said if the state approves the plan, property owners who pay at least half their bill will get another month to pay the other half without being assessed any penalties.

Petalas also said many already have come forward to make advanced property-tax payments to ensure they can deduct those payments from their federal income taxes.