The City Revenue Collection Office at Knoxville Center will close effective Friday, Sept. 3 and its staff transferred downtown to focus on the collection of delinquent taxes and unpaid City Court fines and fees.

Knox County Trustee Mike Lowe has agreed to accept payment of city taxes by separate check at the Trustee's satellite offices located at Knoxville Center, Chapman Plaza, Farragut Town Hall and Halls Center.

"City tax collection specialists at the mall spend much of their time answering general government and other inquiries unrelated to collecting revenue," Mayor Bill Haslam said. "We need to better utilize their expertise in tax collection for the benefit of all taxpayers."

The Knoxville Police Department's operations at Knoxville Center are unaffected by the move.

A dedicated telephone will also be available at the mall location to link citizens with the tax department.

To improve tax payment options for citizens, the City also will begin accepting tax payments by credit card and bank drafts effective Oct. 1.

Property tax information is available online at www.cityofknoxville.org under Online Services.