MOUNT VERNON — Knox County property owners will now have until Friday, Feb. 19, to pay 2009 property taxes.

Property tax statements are set to be printed and mailed Monday by SmartBill in Newark, said Knox County Treasurer Sandra Mizer.

Taxes were previously set for a due date of Feb. 12. However, after incorrect tax rates were reported for property owners in the North Fork and Northridge school districts, Knox County statements were moved to the end of the line, Mizer said. In order to maintain its current position for printing, Mizer decided to print the statements with the Feb. 12 due date, even though taxes will be officially due Feb. 19.

“There will be no penalty assessed until after Feb. 19,” Mizer said. “We have requested a payment date expansion form from the state and will fill that out on Monday.”

Mizer said SmartBill has been printing tax statements for the county for three years. Before that, the office’s software company printed the statements.

“We have never printed in house,” Mizer said.

“We are not trying to make if difficult. We want to do what’s best for the taxpayer,” she said.

Taxes can be paid at the treasurer’s office in the Knox County Service Center, 117 E. High St., Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Payments can also be made at Knox County branches of First-Knox National Bank.

Questions regarding statements and payments can be directed to Mizer’s office at 393-6735.