The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-10-27
Corre,pondeac Bat'imors County C"ion.
THE COUNTY'S FINANCES.
Some Startling Statements-s6, 900, 900
OF Assessed Property not Included
in the Tax Basis.

BALTIMORE CouNrY. October 22d, lSS3.
MessTs. Editor Permit inc briefly NJ pos
sbc 10 call the attention Of the public again the
subject Of county finances The people have IL In
their own hands 10 change or continue the system
that has operated so oppre.syely the tax payers
Of the county, just as they choose.
When majority Of the present board Of County
Commissioners made their first levy In May. ISIS.
the taxable basis Of the county was SIS, 322 AZ
Their levy was made in May Of this year on
basis Of s5s,326.23I. In i've years tho taxable
basis Increased only one million dollars, and at
the same time the assessors Of new and missed
property, during the i've years, assessed property
10 the amount Of seven aud quarter millions
Only one million Of this seems TO be on the tax
books. Where are the other six and quarter
millions Of assessed property. Thisis question
that vitality affects every citizen Of the county and
the present Is most favorable time 10 ak IL as IL
may determine his vote Mt the election.
Again, the published statement shows that the
assessors received Tor assessing new property last
year Si,2T2.ss. This represents 81, 212. $50 Of
taxable property and should be added to ihi. year.
basic. But IL has not, for the basis Is increased
only si3S.l2l over what IL was last year. OF the
million and quarter assessed only n little over
one hundred thousand Is added to the taxable
basis. One million left OF this year and six mil.
lions left OF in Eve years, and not reason given
for IL. The taxable basis Of the Bel, aud many
other sections Of the county has, to all outward
appearances. grown rapidly. but the assessable
property Of the county, according u the books,
has only increased one million dollars Ia Eve
years. The voters have IL in their power to put
end to this kind of assessment II they will only
exercise Il.
Again, the County Commissioners levied for
Court expenses for four years 100000 and dis.
bursed S9S.si5.ss. The taxpayers were taxed
$40. s2.22 too much FOR Court expenses.
The County Commissioners levied for costs In
removed cases for four years $4,000 and dis
bursed Ss.sii The tax. payers were compelled
20 pay s9.2j5.96 more than was needed 20 meet
this expense. In addition. last year they levied
$4,000 for this item of expense. and by the annual
statement just published the costs In removed
cases only amounted 10 $3.50. The taxpayers
had 20 pay for costs in removed cases last year
s5,?i5.lO more than was required. In Eve year.
the honest payers were forced pay SIS. 06
more than was needed TO pay for costs in removed
cases.
Notwithstanding all these large amounts Of
money. In excess Of what was required 10 meet
the expenses. were forced from the iax payers the
County Commissioners have this year increased
the tax rate from 81 10 co cents on the 500. Tho
estimated expenses for thi. year are $50 95O from
which the Commissioners deduct for taxes due and
unpaid on back ievie. SO, 900. making the amount
20 be collected from the tax payers this year S5jt
$50, which IL S3?.9iI more than last year. The
Commissioners knew the uncoilected back taxes
were more than $4,000 and time has proved H..
for the Treasurer has already collected since June
LIST back taxes 10 the amount Of So, 6OO..s.
Since the year ISIS there has not been SIM gle
item Of expense In which any saving has been
made, but the voters can put n stop 20 extrava.
ganee by their votes at this election if they de-
sire II stopped. d.