The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-09-26
LEVY TO Be DECREASED
REDUCTION or FOUR MILLS
PROBABLE THIS YEAR.
County viii Require Less Funds
for Operating Expenses and
Valuation Is Higher.

Indications are that the 1901 tax levy
will be very much less than ihat made
In 1900. The levy will not be made un-
~ February but at the next meeting
Of the county cour.. which occurs ear
ly IN October. an estimate OF the prob
able expenses of the county for the
coming year viii be made. and from
that estimate the levy fixed
Al the present time the debt Of the
county Is only about $4,000 a material
reduction having been made during the
past year This will result In saving
Of something like 5000 in the interest
account Las; year Cla,sop paid to the
state 1900 due on delinquent taxes. but
no such payment will be required this
year. While the figures here given are
approximate. II Is expected by Judge
Gray that the running expenses OF the
county will BE- between 5000 and 5000
less than In 1900 Last year the amount
Of money raised for county purposes
was $4,000 For 1901 the amount re-
qulred will probably be about $4,000.
The county levy last year was seven
teen mills on an assessed valuation Of
t2.ss7.2S4. This years valuation will.
when the board Of equalization com
pletes It's work, be about 13.lOO. 900. and
levy OF - mills will bring in the nee
essary $4,000. This will be a reduction
OF 4 mills in the assessment.
There Is considerable talk Of raising
fund for the building OF a new court
house. and also for the construction Of
a bridge over the Lewis and Clark river,
In the city me building OF the bridge
is not regarded with favor. but there
Is well-dehned sentiment In favor OF
building 4 new government building.
The present Structure is little better
than barn. and. while It could be got
ten along with for several years to
come. the opinion Is general that a new
Is more essential at the
present time than the construction OF
roads and bridges in those parts OF the
county which have river connection
with the city.
Should the new courthouse movement
assume proportions and the necessary
number OF names be secured on a peu-
lion for levy for the purpose. the as
sessment for the ensuing year would
not be reduced. II a new courthouse
Is built II will be a substantial struc-
iure and will cost. perhaps. between
I35 900 and $4,000. An assessment for
is construction would doubtless extend
over period OF four or Ave years A
s-mlll levy on the present valuation OF
ss,lOo.OoO would net Si6.5OO in fve years.
ami would enable the county officials
10 construct a most credltable building.
There will be no reduction in the city
levy as the valuation OF property in the
city limits has not been disturbed TO
any appreclable extent. The city valua-
tIon is about n.5OO.OOO. and the amour:
derived from the maximum levy allowed
by law-l0 mllls-does not bring in a
sufficient amount 70 pay interest on the
deb, Of the municipality. Thus. while
the affairs OF the county are in first
class shape, the city Is head over heels
in debt.
A comparative statement OF the as
sessei valuation and amount OF money
derived for county purposes for the past
nffe.an NnArs fNllnMs.