FRANKLIN—Franklin City Councilman Greg McLemore is late in paying his real estate taxes, according to a delinquent taxpayer list posted to the city’s website.

McLemore is the only current councilmember on the list, but he’s far from alone. The list, which is current as of June 29, lists about 500 properties whose owners are delinquent on tax payments. Amounts owed range from less than $2 to more than $17,000.

According to the list, McLemore owes the city $1,850 for the years of 2006 to 2009.

“That’s being paid off,” he said Tuesday, adding that arrangements had already been made to pay the back taxes.

McLemore was elected to the council’s Ward 3 seat in the May 4 election.

Speaking generally about delinquent tax collection during Monday’s council meeting, McLemore said the city needs to come up with a way to collect delinquent taxes from citizens without huge penalties and interest, which he said can make it nearly impossible for poorer citizens to become current once they fall behind.

“The citizens should be responsible to pay what they owe,” he said. “I even will support a fine or a penalty, but to continually accrue interest on that debt is to take advantage of the situation.”