The Savannah morning news., 1902-08-12
TAXES TO GO UP
HIGHER RATE OR SDETRACKED
IMPROVEMENTS THE CHOICE.
COMMISSIONERS TO DECIDE.
MARCH BUDGET DOESN'T SHOW
CONTEMPLATED EXPENDITURES.

While Then the Commissioners Fig
ured They Could Get Through on
$229,5OO Time Has Demonstrate
This VIII Not BE EnOuEh-UneN-
pected Additions in Expense and
Public improvements since Decid-
ed Upon Have Hun Up the Account.
County Got Rid of 1922, 900 Last
Year and That Much Needed for
This-S135.OO0 spent in First Hall
Hear of 1902,
There seems to be no question about
the correctness of the conclusion
reached by Vice Chairman A. B.
Moore. that the county tax rate for this
year will have to be largely increased
or certain extensive improvements, de-
cided upon by the commissioners must
be abandoned.
While it is true that in the estimated
budget of expenditures prepared by the
commissioners in March and submitted
to the grand jury it was conjectured
it would cost but S229.5OO to run the
county for the fiscal year, it is now
clearly understood that this sum
will not be sufficient for the
purpose. The estimate was only APP
proximate in the first place, and in
creases in expenditures for various
purposes already made and appropria-
tions for improvements for which or
ders have already been passed, indi-
cate altogether conclusively that the
expenses of the county will be much
greater than had been at first thought.
s135,0OO spent Up to June 30.
This is shown by the expenditures for
the first six months of the fiscal year
year, running from January l to June
80. during which time the county spent
$4,000. The expenditures for the sec
ond half-year are likely to be rather
more than less than this amount, but
If they equal it the county will spend
$270,000 during 1902. The county will
receive about $4,000 as it's proportion
ate share of the taxes on railroad COM
panies, which are assessed and collect
ed directly by the controller general,
which will leave $3.50, 900 to be collected
by local taxation.
This is a moderate estimate and I'M
less certain of the commissioners
plans are abandoned the actual expen-
ditures must certainly be more. Last
year the county raised $257 900 and
more by taxation. outside of $25, 900 of
railroad taxes which it received from
the state, and managed very easily to
spend it all. 1t was spent on the
road and drainage system of
the county. 1t is not likely
to get along with less this year, unless
the surfacing of LaRoche avenue and
other roads and other works of real
public necessity are passed over until
1903
VIII BE Considered Thursday.
All things considered it will take
some careful figuring on the part of
the commissioners to keep the tax
rate down to 1856. at which it was
last year.
All these matters will be considered,
prayerfully 1t is likely, at the meeting
of the commissioners that will be held
Thursday, when a special committee
TO examine and revise the budget will
be appointed. Very largely upon the
report of this committee the size of
the tax rate for'the current year will
depend.
1t is the custom of the county to bor-
row money during the spring and sum
mer TO meet necessary expenditures
and for much of the money already
spent the county is now indebted to
the local banks. The credit of the
county Is as good as it can be and IL is
never difficult for it to borrow money
on very advantageous terms.
The loans that have been effected
and the Improvements that have been
projected have been largely on the
faith of the commissioners that the tax
returns for the year would show a
substantial increase over those for 1901
Their confidence in this increase was
based on the increase in the size and
population of the city and the vel
Known fact that city property has
gained an added value since 1901.