The Savannah morning news., 1903-08-06
MUCH LOWER RATE
COMMISSIONERS THINK RATE WILL
BE LOWERED 25 CENTS.
AS RESULT OF INCREASE
GREATEST REDUCTION IN YEARS
AWAITS TAX PAYERS.

Vice Chairman Moore Believes That
Rate for County VIII BE at Least
1925 on the ThOusnnd-LikeI1-
hood of IA Lower state Rate Also.
Increase in Returns Surpassed EX-
DectatiOns of Commissioners and
Citizens at Large-COunty SOlons
VIII Appoint Special Committee to
Prepare Budget.
AS a result of the million and a
half dollar increase in tax returns
for this year, an appreciate lower
ing of the tax rate is assured. While
the amount of the tax rate has not
yet been decided upon by the COM
missioners, all are agreed that there
will be a marked decrease from the
present county rate of $3.50 per thou
sand.
Vice Chairman Moore of the County
Commissioners is of the opinion that
the rate will be lowered to at least
$7.25, and it is probable that it will
be even lower than that. AS the
state rate will probably also be low
ered the indications are that the tax
payers of the county will have cause
to be glad. Returns from a majority
of the counties in the state, prior to
those of Chatham county, showed an
average increase in values of about
81, 900 to a county. This average has
been enhanced by the enormous in
| crease from this county.
Exceeded Expectations.
"The commissioners, in common with
other citizens, were glad to note the
| marked increase in the returns, as de-
noted in the reports in the Morning
News" said Mr.. Moore. 1--WE have
thought for some time that there would
be a slight reduction in the rate. We
have hoped for an increase of million
| dollars, but the attainment of the mil
lion and half mark surpassed our ex-
pectations. 1t is one of the largest in
creases the county has ever had, and
that, too, despite the fact that the
| shops of one of the largest railroads
has been removed from here, taking
with them their employees, and in spite
of the fact that Mr.. Baker, in the eX-
ercise of his discretion, has allowed de-
creases where he felt that justice de-
manded it.
ut would be a difficult, if not an i'm
possible matter, to say just now what
decrease will be made in the county
tax rate Everything depends on the
rate fixed by the state; but this much
is true-there will be a reduction, and
a material one. I would estimate that
it will be as much as 25 cents. 1t may
be even lower than that. A great deal
depends also on the budget of the COM
missioners. The present one is only
tentative, though it is probable thai
there will be no increases.
Means More improvements.
at must be remembered that the
demand on the commissioners is grow
ing each year. We are disposed tc
grant every request consistent with
the welfare of the county and within
the means of the appropriation. There
fore, the increased returns means moi
only reduction of the tax rate, but
additional Improvement. We will have
about $1,000 more available. This
amount is arrived at by computing the
tax on the increase"
At the next meeting of the commits
sioners, which will be held on Thurs.
day, a special committee will be named
to make up the budget of expenditures
for the next year. An approximate
budget was made up last March, ant
this will be revised and all needed
changes made. BY the budget thus
compiled the amount of money needed
to run the county will be shown, anC
this will indicate what the tax rate