The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-06-13
WILL THEY DO IT /?
Finance Commissioners En-
deaVoring to Reduce the
City'S Tax Rate.
EoUALIZING ASSESSMENTS
Strict Economy to Be Observed in
all the Departments-Tax
Boards Estimate.

The Board of Finance is to meet to-
morrow evening. The estimates of the
various city boards of appropriations
for the fiscal year 1856 are to be care
fully gone over.
Instructions from the city Han
were to keep the estimates down
as close as possible, and with one ex-
ception that order has been complied
with. An effort is to be made to bring
about a reduced tax rate and the indi-
cations are that it Will be accomplished.
VALUATION INCREASED.
The Tax Commissioners will have
finished the new assessment by July 10
and a healthy increase in ratables is
looked for. The assessments in the
lower section of the city will not be
changed much. but on the H1l, valua-
tions in certain localities will probably
show an increase of at least 30 per cent.
great many apartment houses have
been erected on the Hill during the past
year and they will be assessed to the
full limit
''We propose equahz.ng the assess
ments," said Commissioner Love this
morning. 'It would appear that in the
past assessments have been levied with
out regard to valuations. We are trying
also trying to do our work so that there
VIII be little or no cause for corn-
plant"
STATUS OF INTEREST ACCOUNT.
In addition to increased valuations
there are other things that will assist
nN the reduction of the tax rate. For
the fiscal year 1S94-5 it was necessary to
raise more than half a million dollars.
the exact amount being $J59, ,256.41, to pay
the interest on the cityis bonded debt
exclusive of the water account.
The interest account is always an an
noying one in the preparation of the
tax budget. During the past year the
city has paid off 5000 of No. II Engine
House, which bore four per cent inter-
est s3o.5O0. of new pump bonds bearing
four per cent. interest. $4,000 of five per
cent City Hall bonds. $250,000 of five per
cent. tax arrearage bonds, issued on ac-
count of 1889 taxes. $4,000 of tax ar
rearage bonds bearing five per cent.
chargable to the 1889 taxes and $1,000 of
No. Truck House bonds, bearing four
per cent. interest.
The payment of the s275,O0O tax arrear-
age bonds does not affect the tax budget,
but the others amounting to $780,
Their redemption lessons the city's in
stead of raising $559, ,256.41 only s556926.4l
will have to be provided.
The reduction is small one but it
plays a part in reducing the tax rate.
SOME OF THEIR WANTS.
There are also in the estimates of sew
eral of the city boards, items that will
be cut out. it is understood. For in
stance the Aldermen want a typewriter
appointed in the City Clerks office at a
salary of $1,000 a year. They also want
$1,000 for public bath.
The Street and Water Commissioners
want $4,000 with which to reconstruct
sewers in Gregory, Bay and Third streets
and extend the Morgan street dock.
The Police Commissioners want twenty
additional policemen and the Fire Com
missioners want to abolish the Buffalo
system. 1t is understood that they will
be kept wanting for another year.
The Street and Water Commissioners
have asked for 400 to pay the armorer
and janitor of the armory, and the AL
derman have made a similar request. OF
course both boards can't have the money.
The Board of Finance will determine
which is the proper department to pay
those officials.
TAX COMMISSIONERS ESTIMATE.
The Tax Commissioners met this morn.-
ing and fixed their estimate of desired
appropriations for the ensuing Ascal year.
1t is as follows:-
Printing and Stationery. -. 80. =" sSs sSs
Prepartion sirtit5is' Of Records, .:....s LOO
TotaI....... -....- -...-..-t---....... $lI.6oo
Last year the Boards appropriations
amounted to s1Ts2O0