Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-09-22

M STILL HOLDS OUT FOR nIen
TAXES.


Pickard, Spaiord, Karfick, Heath,
Pendleton, Folland, Hyde, Hardy,
Tuddcnham, Young, Anderson, Lynn
and Parsons.
Alsent-Smith and James.
Mayor Scott took the Initiative by
stating that the meeting had been ex-
prcssly called for the purpose Of recon
sldering the adoption Of the resolution
introduced by Councilman Young, n
few evenings ago, lowering the rate Of
taxatitn on all rial estate, twenty per
cent. Hc wished II distinctly under
ttood that he had not changed his
views since the last meeting. lie was
against the reduction iirst, last and nil
tho time. The revenues derived
through the collection Of taxes would
all be needed. Further, he said, he
was Informed by the merchants OF the
city, that unless the resolution was
reconsilcred they would contest IL
In the courts.
Councilman Parsons desired Mr..
Young 10 speak ON his resolution, hut
that gentleman declined, saying tina,
he had already done so on sevoral DC.
casions aud the rcsol ution could now
speak for itself.
Councilman Plckard called for the
reading Of the resolution, and Recorder
Jack took the document from the table
and read as follows;
Whereas. Tho assessed valuations Of
real property arc higher this year than
they were, last, Notwithstanding the fact
thatvnlucs have materially dcpro ciaIodi
and
where's, There arc but few pieces Of
real property that return or can be made
tU return q reasonable Interest on their
assessed valuation, and
Whereas. The figures nj which property
j. hold should not control nj this umo,
when taxpayers, under tho influence of
recent Inflated prices aud In expectation
~ an approaching recurrence thereof, are
holding thoir property without seeking
TO sell, at prices nj which there arr no or
few buyers; aud
Whereas, II IL reasonably certain tina,
u an ordinary percentage Of property
were placed on the market 10 10 sold Tor
what Il would bring, there would be-
considerable and immediate depreciation
IN prices; aud
Whereas, Tho total valuation of ~.
rosscd property lying within the city
limiis,ns assessed by the county assessor.
j. approximately $500 900, aud the city
assessors valuation n $500, 900. al
though both assessments arc made un-
der the requirements Of the same law,
and
Whereas, More money will be oxacicd
from tho people undor the present nssoss.
NsilIl
purposes, as estimated by the Mayor aud
finance committee Of this council, and
Whereas, Tho taxpayers are under
heavy burden OF special taxes for Inn
provemontsi and
Whereas. Tho Increase ~ taxes, being
moro than 800 por cent. In two years, ii
unjust and hurdensono for the taxpayer
and inmical 10 tho best interests OF tho
city; and
Whereas, Tho TACT that our taxes exceed
those Of Ill other Western cities will
seriously roiard our growth aud prosper.
ityby Htinlng the influx and Investment
of capltAli and
Whereas, Under those conditions what
ever doubt may exist as To the correct.
mess II tho assessors valuations should
DO resolved In favor ~ the taxpayers;
therefore bo II
Resolved, That the assessment roll be
corrected and revised by reducing tho
valuation Of tho real property and linz
provoments 10 50 per cent. OF tho yalua-
ton AS assessed, except on such real os-
tate and improvements ~ have already
boon or may hereafter be reduced Ia
value by this board for special reasons,
the valuation OF which 10 be- reduced 70
~ per cent. Of tho corrected valuation
thereof and that It be the sense Of thi.
board that tho City Council Instruct the
proper official to refund TO all Taxpayers
who have heretofore paid their taNos 20 |
per cont. oi tho take. paid hy them on
roal property and improvements.
At the conclusion OF the reading Of |
the resolution n silence ensued that |
seemed 10 be very painful 10 Mayor
Scott. He looked nerv0usly about aud |
dafied appealing glances towards
several Of his trusted henchmcn, but |
none OF them responded. His honor, |
recovering himself from the shock Of |
this apparent neutrality, announced
that the meeting bad been cnlloi 10
take action on Mr.. Young'r resolution.
Councilman Spailord--l move Tor n
reconsideration Of the resolution.
Councilman Karrlok-l second that
motion.
Mayor Scott did not, however, put
the motion, but called Councilman
Parsons TO tlye chair, aud took the floor
aud again protested against the
reduction OF the taxes. lie
could see HUNDRED ways where
the money could DO expended.
There was no provision made for au
Increase In any Of the departments.
The city ought to have the mOrey and
the only way To get II was by taxation
or by general reduction Of the salary
account, which was not nj all pleasant,
md which would not make any great
difference.
City Attorney Hall by re1ucat OF
Councilman Lynn, took the floor aud
said | have given this question az
much thought and cnre rs could.
My Vows ON the matter have been nj.
ready expressed In my opinion, which
was read before the board on Friday
night last. The board NJ equalization
IL the only power 20 which the over
hurdonei, or unlustly assessed tax.
payer eau appeal. II the board " sure
mat no more money will be needed tor
expenses during the ensuing year than
Mr.. foung's resolution conteinplatps
then the City Council eau reduce the
rate tpt not disturb the valuation IN set
by tho assessor.
Councilman fOung-The resolution
Introduced 10y me on the subject under
discussion In calculated TO correct dis.
ctlminatlon0 In the value OF real estate
which has been improperly assessed
nndef the impulse Of u recent boom.