The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-06
WHERE THE MONEY GOES.
County Commissioner Edgerton
Talks on Public Finances From
Two Standpoints.
How the Levy Is Fixed In Almost
Every Case by the Towns
of the State.
Statement From County Treasurer Bardcn
Showing the Estimated Receipts and
Disbursements for the Year.

The question of city and county tnxation
is just now the most discussed topic in
Helena. Tonight there will be meeting
at Electric light hall to consider tho qucs-
tion. and there will undoubtedly be large
attendance. Despite the discussion the
matter has brought forth, 1t ia a question
as to how many know just how the levy Of
taxes is made in the county. or for what
purposes the money collected is disbursed.
There has been great deal of talk about
the new county Jail, and it was to get some
light on these matters that an INDEPENDENT
reporter yesterday asked County Commits
sioncr Edgerton to tell him something
about county finances. Mr.. Edqsrton was
not averse to talking about the matter, and
said:
II feel that am quite we'll acquainted
with the existing conditions in this county
on the subject of taxation, and have no OBJ
lection to telling you how view the situa-
tion. both from the standpoint of COM
missioner, and also that of taxpayer.
This present year we are confronted with
the problem of what is commonly called
''hard times.'' At the same time that is,
to the city of Helena. In order to state
the matter more clearly, have asked Mr..
Barden, our county treasurer, to tabulate
little statement embodyinR our estimates
and probable results, which he did. This
will give the people an opportunity to see
perhaps more clearly just where their
money is expended than what they would
learn from the general printed statements
of the proceedings of the board Of county
commissioners. From this statement You
will observe that our estimated re-
ceipts are based on valuation OF
$30,OO0,000. OF course this is from
two to three million too high. You will
also observe that two and one-half mills
for the state fund is fixed by law. Tho
same is true of one and one-half mills for
live stock. The two and one-haf mills for
school purposes and the one extra for Hell
ena school district were not the suggestions
of the commissioners but were made at the
request and upon the estimate of the school
trustees, and they visited the commission
ers and urged that more be allowed. The
two mills for the Jail was ordered by the
people two years ago at an election at
which the vote stood over 2, 100 majority
for the Jail. The two mills for road pur-
poses on property outside of the city OF
Helena is also fixed by law. The only
items in the list that the commissioners
had any discretion over, were the one-half
mill for poor fund purposes, and one and
one-half mill for general county purposes.
The other items either by vote Of the
people or the general laws OF tho
state became imperative and we had no
discretion whatever. The estimated dis
bursements, based upon the records of this
past year, are also tabulated and given.
You will observe that in round numbers
$4,000 goes to the state, 800. 600 to the
schools, 100000 to the Jail, while over $685.
ing prisoners, ana sheriff fees; this not
including the salaries of officers, which
would make an item of $12.4O0 nor light
ing or heating the various public buildings,
amounting to nearly $4,000 more. Eleo-
tion expenses eat up $4,000, while $11, 400 10
interest.
st will be observed that the expenditure
on all of these items that have enumer-
ated are in one way or another absolutely
fixed by law. For instance, We cannot re-
fuse to pay the interest on the bond,
neither can we control the amount The
salaries of officers are all fixed and regu-
lated by statutes. The fees of witnesses,
the board of prisoners, the
fees of the sheriff are all mat
ters of statutory regulation and all
that the commissioners can do or the
county auditor, is to see that the law is
with. merely call attention to
these facts in order that the people may
realize that if che expenditures are greater
than they should be it lies in the fault Of
the lawmakers and not of the county Off
GERS who disburse these funds. Neither do
| see how it is possible to repudiate, lessen
or reduce these various expenditures to any
amount this year. AZ no one is
tad yAifh a licrr
one would be better pleased to see a reduc- :
tion of expenses or of taxation than the
present county officers, but it is foolish to
undertake the impossible, and it is much
better to 60 to the fountain-head or source
Of the trouble, which is in the legislative
or the circumstances which
have made those particular enactments in
Ibis county burdensome. | have made no par
iicular examination of the new fee Bills
hat go into effect next year. but am cred
tably informed that they will make very
arge reduction in expenditures. believe
hat the taxes to be collected by the COM
nissioners next year will be from 25 to SO
GER cent less than this year, from the fact
hat the county expenses will be less, owing
% the fact that the docket will be cleared
Up and the Jail paid for.
"It would seem as though litigants ought
o paw u large portion OF the expenses the
'ounty is put to in carrying on civil litiga-
his year, we see that we are practically
a little less than 100000, license
md all. OF this amount over 70 per cent
.oes to the general expenditures for school
purposes. another 25 per cent to the state.
Then taking out the amount to be spent
lpon the new Jail and the repairs of the
ourt house, makes very nearly another 70
er cent, 80 that in fact even under the
resent heavy expenditures for court and
egal machinery. the expense of this county,
the care of roads and the
oor with all the salaries Of officers, repairs
I buildings. witnesses, jurors and court
Ulcers generally amount only to about 30
er cent, of the entire receipts of the county
rom all sources, including taxes, licenses,
to. In my opinion this is not bad show
~ and ought to cause no alarm whatever
/ the mind of anyone coupled with the
lrther fact that this should be some less
mother year. III fact quite percentage.
might have been wise two years ago to
ave submitted the question of carrying the
ill indebtness upon bonds, but when we con-
der that the court and sheriff expenses of
10 county for a single year are very nearly
large as the coat OF this Jail, it did not
em II very extravaGent proposition, az
mes then were regarded as flush and the
'esent stringency was not apptehended,
pay as we went along and keep the
,unty out of debt. Ii ii was a mistake 10
as coinoided in by the people and IL ia
sed by the county attorney, Mr.. Nolan.
"Personally, am a great believer Of COM
unities as well AZ individuals keeping out