PUYALLUP, Wash. - Civic leaders in Puyallup say they want to give their citizens a break in these tough economic times - so the city is considering a freeze property taxes.

The tax freeze - if it's approved - would only amount to about $18 on a $250,000 home. But still, many city officials say now is not the time to raise taxes.

At a time when home values are dropping and some folks are going into foreclosure, Puyallup wants to send a message.

"It's really obvious that everyone is feeling this economic crunch," Puyallup City Manager Gary McLean says. "This just isn't the right time to come forward with a property tax increase."

The tax savings to businesses could be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

And homeowners appreciate the gesture, too.

Says homeowner Ray Oberg, "I think they ought to do something."

Ray Oberg, another homeowner who lives near the Puyallup fairgrounds, agrees.

"Some people have lost just about everything here in the stock market," he says. "Times are real tough. I think there's going to be a depression."

The city claims only a small portion of property taxes, since the bigger portion goes to the state.

Oberg says a more substantial cut in property taxes could come in the form a reduction in assessed property values. Many home values are dropping, and so are the yearly appraisals.

"Last year (it was) $248,000. This year it's $241,500. So it went down," he says.

But the current downturn in prices won't be reflected until the 2010 property tax season. So Oberg will take the $18 even though it won't do much.

"No, no it won't. Not really, but it's got to start somewhere," he says, philosophically.

Adds McLean, "Everybody needs a tax increase for parks, public works and things of that sort. But this just isn't the right year for us to be asking for that in this community."

The Puyallup City Council is set to vote on this proposal in the next several weeks, but the tax freeze won't take effect until next year.

This year's taxes are still due by the end of this month.