SAN JOSE — A state lawmaker has proposed an unusual solution to ease a potentially crushing tax burden for property owners amid the coronavirus woes, but some county officials haven’t rushed to embrace the legislator’s suggestion.

The solution from state Assemblymember Marc Levine, a North Bay Democrat, is straightforward: Counties could help property owners by temporarily closing the tax collection offices, which would then delay when the taxes are due.

Property taxes are due by the fast-approaching deadline of April 10.

San Mateo County officials already have decided to temporarily close the tax collector’s office to create the equivalent of a holiday, so the collection of taxes doesn’t occur as scheduled and is deferred for an unknown period of time.

Santa Clara County officials won’t shift the deadline but said the tax collector will accept partial payments. The county also might waive fees and penalties for late payments.

Alameda County officials haven’t made a final decision about whether to temporarily shut the office, but that outcome still remains on the table, said Henry Levy, county treasurer-tax collector.

Marin County officials said at a public meeting on Tuesday that they don’t intend to delay the April 10 deadline.

“For many families and businesses, this is a difficult and uncertain time,” said Assemblymember Levine, whose district includes parts of Marin and Sonoma counties. “Consideration of waiving of fees and penalties for late property tax payments this April will help taxpayers.”

Anyone who is able to pay their taxes should do so, the state legislator, as well as county officials, said.

“Contra Costa County does not have the authority under state law to extend or postpone the second installment property tax deadline of April 10, 2020,” the county stated in a post on its website.

Still, a growing number of people are losing their jobs and facing an unexpected financial hit.

About the most that numerous county tax collectors say they can do is waive penalties and fees for late tax payments.

“April 10 remains the due date for this year’s tax assessment,” said Margaret Olaiya, director of Santa Clara County’s Department of Tax and Collections. “These funds are vital to our community and help maintain the three county hospitals that provide the much needed medical services to the public, carry out public health initiatives, provide law enforcement and detention services, pay the salaries of school teachers, maintain water and various sanitation systems, and many more.”

Property owners must apply to county officials to gain a reprieve for the penalties.

“We’re definitely going to work with people if they have a financial hardship,” Alameda County’s Levy said.

San Mateo County moved to ease tax burdens following a March 24 vote by the county supervisors. The San Mateo County supervisors approved a resolution to close the county tax collector’s office temporarily so that payments won’t be due on April 10.

“Taxes are not due until the day following its re-opening,” said Michelle Durand, chief communications officer for the San Mateo County Manager.

Marin officials were quick to point out that county, local, and regional agencies and districts hunger for the revenue that property taxes bestow on their respective coffers.

“This is really a cash-flow issue,” Marin County Supervisor Katie Rice, the board’s president, said at Tuesday’s meeting. “A lot of agencies are depending on that money.”

Plus, the tax collector’s office has a stern, yet necessary role, in the view of Marin County Finance Director Roy Given. Given said at a public meeting on Tuesday that the purpose of the tax code is to enable him and other taxing agencies to collect taxes.

“Tax law is made for people to pay taxes,” Given told the Marin County supervisors Tuesday. “It is not made to exempt people from paying taxes.”

County officials in the Bay Area conceded that in some cases, the services provided by the agencies that are being bankrolled by property taxes have been suspended. Those services nonetheless are vital.

“The taxes are needed to maintain basic operational level to avoid major disruption,” Santa Clara County’s Olaiya said.