Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-29
FIXED AT 13 MILLS.
That Will Be the Tax Rate on a Val
uation of $235, 100000.
SOME ESTIMATES WILL BE CUT.
As Even the Increased Ratings Will Not
Make Ends Meet.
THE ORDINANCE WILL NOW BE PUSHED

AS result of the dissatisfaction over the
increased valuations on city property it has
been finally decided to nix the tax rate this
year at 13 mills, or two mills less than last
year. 1t had been originally intended to
maintain the same rate as last year, not
withstanding the increased revenue it
would bring as a result of the jump in taxa
BILE valuations. When the estimated ex-
penditures of the various city departments
were presented and showed such an increase
over last year. it became evident that the
old millage must either be retained or the
department expenses cut down, because the
most liberal estimate of the tax receipts
based on the increased valuation could not
be made to more than cover the cost of run
ming the city government for the year even
at Is mills.
An appropriation of over S400, 900 had
been asked for to improve the parks, but
the demand from the citizens movement
has been to spend less on parks and go
slower with their improvements instead of
trying to complete them in few years.
The Plan Proposed by Keating.
Even Select Councilman Heating, who is
probably as much interested in beauti-
flying the parks as Chief Bigelow,
himself, suggested as a plan for improving
them that bonds be issued and money
enough raised to carry the improvements to
finish as quickly as possible, the bonds to
be made payable BY the next generation,
which will participate in the comfort and
enjoyment OF the parks as much as the
present. Mr. Heating did not press his
scheme, however, and it passed without
serious consideration, leaving the question
still unsettled.
At the recent elections a number of Coun-
cilmen, reformers and otherwise, secured
their majorities by pledge to their con-
stituents to oppose allowing the appropria-
tions asked for this year. Among them
were number of men who were up for re-
election, and who will have chance to vote
on the matter. Then there are number of
men who are passing out of Councils who are
disgruntled because they were not reelected,
The Mayor has made it known that he
will veto an appropriation bill calling for
a 15-mill tax rate. 1t is claimed there could
not be mustered the three-ffths vote of the
membership in each branch to pass the Or
dinance over the veto
With this condition existing there is
nothing left to do but to cut down the mill
age by cutting the appropriations Where
the cuts are to be made is not known, but
it is understood that both the Public Works
and Safety Departments will suffer, par
ticularly the former.
The Total Valuation of the City.
The taxable valuation of the city under
the new triennial assessment will be reported
to-day. and it is expected to reach, if
not exceed, 1926. 000, ,OO0 A 13-mill tax
rate on this amount, making reduction for
rural property, discounts and lost taxes,
would yield more than 15-mill tax did last
year on a valuation of s210, ,O00, OO0 The
new law giving the city $500 on each retail
liquor license granted in the city, and the
prospect of there being larger number
granted than any year since the Brooks law
went into effect, guarantees revenue
sufficient to cover the increased expenses re-
quired by the city's growth in the past
year.
The subcommittee of Finance having in
charge the appropriation ordinance has
been in frequent consultation ever since its
appointment and it is understood that as
soon as the taxable valuation is
reported will be in shape to report to the
General Finance Committee. It is then
proposed that as soon as the Finance Com
mittee adopts the report a special meeting
of Councils will be called to consider the
report as an ordinance. 1t is expected this
will be done during, the present week, as it
is desired to get the millage fixed so that
the tax books can be placed in the CITY
Treasurer's hands as early as possible in or
der to secure those who wish an oppor-
tunity to give the five per cent discount
allowed when the first and second INSTALL
ments of taxes are paid during the month of
March.