Crossword Genius

City boom precedes tax cut (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sparta

'city' is the definition.
(Sparta is an example)

'boom precedes tax cut' is the wordplay.
'boom' becomes 'spar' (I've seen this before).
'precedes' says to put letters next to each other.
'cut' means to remove the last letter.
'tax' with its final letter removed is 'ta'.
'spar'+'ta'='SPARTA'

(Other definitions for sparta that I've seen before include "austere place" , "Ancient Greek city noted for its austerity" , "Rival of Athens during the Peloponnesian Wars" , "Old Greek city state, famous for its citizens' austere lifestyle" , "in ancient Greece" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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