The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-06-18
THE CITY TAXES.

Within a few days the city council will
fix the rate of taxation for the current
year. IN behalf of the property owners
and for the welfare of the municipality,
The HERALD requests that the rate be made
very low-as low, in fact, as will be con-
sistent with the requirements of the gov
ernmen, economically administered. There
is no denying the fact that the fear of ex-
traordinary taxes checked the buying of
real estate last spring. The legislature
passed law requiring the assessment of
property at its full cash valuation, the as
sessment heretofore having been based on
perhaps 40 per cent. of the actual value.
The new law meant such an increase that
the assessors were alarmed, and at least
one of them asked to be relieved of the
Office, preferring the surrender of the posi-
ton to the mourning of the displeasure of
the public. No sooner did buyers realize
the situation than they called halt on
themselves, and the daily transfers at once
fell off greatly both in numbers and III the
money involved. No amount of assurance
that could be given could restore con-
fidence Buyers felt that while had
might have purchased to hold until Gus
toners came along, they could not afford
TO buy with taxes at a rate that would
amount to high interest on the idle money.
We have questioned many investors and
real estate agents, and in almost every in
stance they have said that the fear of ex-
cessive taxation did much to deaden the
market People are watching and waiting
with considerable degree of anxiety. If
the tax notices shall show that the assess
ments have been reasonable, confidence win
be re established and men with capital will
feel that they can afford to invest; if the
tax shall be exorbitant we might as well
cease advertising the advantages pre-
scented by Salt Lake, and round up our
shoulders to bear the burden Of the extra
assessment.
We are aware that extraordinary ex-
penses have been created. The municipal
salary list has been more than doubled and
there has lately been an almost reckless
expenditure Of money in the various de-
partlnents Ct the city government. The
streets, the water, the tire service, the
police are al costing perhaps double what
they ever die before; besides, there will
be hundred thousand dollar outlay
for the city building in course Of coustruc-
ton Vet, with all this there will be no
real occasion Tor putting up the taxes to
tie p0iut where they viii be discouraging
To property owrers and 10 intending buy
ers. Tie treasury is full of money, there
being Il il more cash than can be wisely
expended dusing the year.
The people expect an increase of taxa
ticn. They net only expect il, but desire
ii. knowing that the improvements which
are demanded VIII be remunerative to the
taxpayers il the enhanced value of their
property; but that increase must not
amount TO burden or be oppres-
sive, or the effect viii be disastrous
An increase of % per cent. will be regarded
as not improper. but more than that
will call forth a protest. The public viii
welcome such an increase this year, and d
similar one next, and these increases will
provide all tue revenue that the city abso-
lutely requires; at the same time the repu-
tation of the city for low taxes will be
maintained.
II is TO be hoped that in fixing the rate of
taxation the council viii consider well the
effect. Low taxes viii best please the great
majority of the property owners, and en-
courage strangers to invest with us, while
high taxes will disheartcn our own people,
and turn others from US.