Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-27
THE COUNTY EXPENSES
A Bill Authorizing the Commissioner
to Levy Special Taxes.

A Bill Authorizing the Commissioners
to Levy Special Taxes.
In view of the inability of tn Board Of
County Commissioners to levy, under the
present law, tax sufficient to defray the
county expenses, a bill has been drafted
and approved by the Board and sent to
the Legislature, authorizing the Commits
sioners to levy and collect, in addition to
the taxes now allowed, special taxes for
certain purposes, mentioned in the bill
published below. The present law
does not permit a levy above fifty
per cent. of the State tax. The board,
under the constitution has no authority
to contract debts. While the State tax
has decreased, the county expenses have
increased The maximum amount of the
levy permitted being insufficient to meet
the expenses, the only means for pro-
viding for the remaining expenditures is
by the passage of special law.
The following is a copy OF the bill;
To authorize and empower the Commission
ers of Chatham county and -Ofliclo Judges
to levy and collect in addition to the taxes
now allowed by law, special taxes for edu-
cational purposes, to MAINTAIN ana support
prisoners, to pay the salary OF the Judge OF
the City Court, and the expenses of the
courts in said county, and to pay jurors and
the Coroner, and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, The revenue required TO pay the.
expenses and provide for the several matters
enumerated in the preamble of TINS act can
not be raised by any assessment upon the
taxable property in said county Of Chatham,
on the basis of a percentage ON the state TAX
within the limits now prescribed by law;
AND WHEREAS, The variations from year
to year in the State tax render it impractical
BILE to fix any specific per cent. on such State
tax as the limit or rate of county taxes IN said
county of Chatham to provide the revenue re-
quired as aforesaid; therefore
SECTION l. Be 1t enacted By the Gen6Fdt Is
Sen3bJI Of tile State Of Georgia, That from and
after the passage of this act, 1t shall ana may
be lawful for the Commissioners OF chatham
county and eN-otlicio Judges, and they are
hereby authorized and empowered to levy
and collect annually taX~up0n the taxable
property in said county of Chatham, suhclent
to raise the revenue required TO support ana
maintain the public schools IN the city OF Sa-
vannah and county of Chatham, to pay the
salary of the Judge of the City Court of Sa-
Yannah, to pay jurors, TO pay the Coroner OF
said county, to support and maintain prison
ers both under arrest and under sentence, and
to pay the expenses OF holding the superior
and City Courts,
SEC 3 Be it further enacted, That the taxes
authorized to be levied in and by the first sec
ton of this act shall be assessed by the SAID
Commissioners of Chatham county as soon as
practicable after the completion of the tax
digest by the Receiver of Tax Returns, and
that public notice for not less than one week
shall be given in one or more OF the puDnc
gaZettes of said county, stating the amount OF
money intended to be raised and appropriated
for each of the purposes above specified, and
the rate of taxation assessed.
SEC. 3. Be 10 further enacted, That the taxes
provided for in and by this act shall be in adj
dition to the taxes for county and otneT purI
NAV be levied and collected without the re-
commentator of the grand jury.