Sen. Robert Ford wants to give taxpayers options.

The Charleston Democrat is drafting legislation that would require counties to give residents the choice to pay their taxes in installments or in one lump sum.

"It will give people the chance to raise the money themselves. ... Most people have to borrow money or put it on their credit card," Ford said.

State law already gives counties the option of allowing residents to pay taxes in advance installments. Ford's proposal, however, would amend it to be mandatory and let residents make either six or 12 payments after they receive a tax notice. The legislation would be in addition to whatever property tax reform the Senate and House settle on, he said.

Ford said offering installment payments would be ideal for those who already own their homes and don't have property tax payments escrowed. It also would rescue folks who have inherited property and have seen its value steadily rising, he said.

"They are financing their whole life - year after year after year," he said.

Bob Stukes of Moncks Corner said he would support the legislation but would rather see an overhaul of the property tax system.

"If it's getting to the point that we have to pay taxes in installments, taxes are getting too high," said Stukes, whose taxes rose by about 50 percent to $2,000 this year.

Dorchester County Treasurer Patsy G. Knight said officials are looking into whether there is enough interest in offering advance installment payments to justify the cost. Ford's proposal sounds good, but it might be too costly, she said.

"I would love for him (Ford) to do something like that, but I would like him to get funding with it," Knight said. "Everyone is going to holler that this is an unfunded state mandate."

Berkeley County Supervisor Jim Rozier said requiring installment payments would be the "worst thing" the state could do. That sort of business should be left to the bank, he said. Rozier and several Berkeley officials are recommending banks in the area open "Property Tax Clubs." They would operate like "Christmas Clubs," where residents stash savings for large expenditures.

A team from the Charleston County treasurer's office researched installment payments in 2004, but it posed a number of obstacles and the group never brought a proposal to County Council, said Joni Sturdivant, who was a member of the team.

Richland and Beaufort counties offer the advance installment options, but the programs are not popular. No one in Beaufort has signed up, mostly because it requires advance payments, County Treasurer Joy Logan said.

Richland splits about 300 of its 150,000 tax notices into advance installments, County Treasurer David Adams said. It's mostly senior citizens who take advantage of the program, although it's never been widely publicized, he said.

"It allows them to figure out exactly what is best of them, and for that they are very grateful," he said.

Contact Yvonne M. Wenger at 745-5891 or ywenger@postandcourier.com.