Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-07-21
PROPERTY
VALUATION
Assessor Chandos Thinks Real
Estate Valuation 20 or 80
Per Cent. HIGHER.
WILL HAVE WORK CON-
PLETED BY AUGUST 20
Believes The Cooperation Be.
tween Property Owner And
Assessor Good Policy

IVY ~ASoSOoOA L. VI. SudliOOO Is UuSy
completing the assessment rolls for
this year. He began the work June
20. but does not expect to have it COM
pleted before Aug. Is or 20.
The work this year has been a
tedious one, as the rolls have heen
completely revised; the assessments
made completely new, and the work
done with the exactness required by
law
Mr.. ChandoS said in an interview
with are preventative of the REPORTER:
"AS far as can see now, the real
estate valuation this year will be from
20 to 30 per cent. higher than last. This
means that the city is in a hea lthy
condition.
ut is remarkable to notice the
changes that have been wrought
during the four years I have been
assessor. It was nothing unusual to
see vacant blocks In the main parts Of
the city, and even vacant houses.
Il don't believe that you can find
an empty house to-day which is ready
for occupancy. 1t seems that score
OF people are after every house that
is going up.
"There has been an unusual amount
OF property changing hands the past
year and the prices in some cases are
almost fabulous in comparison with
those Of former years.
"The people OF this city are always
curteons when l call to assess their
property. Tax dodgers are unknown.
1t is rather the other way. Most of
them insist upon showing me through
their houses from garrett to cellar.
II find it is the best policy to inter-
view, personally, as far as possible, all
property owners. / learn from them
the value they put upon their property.
[ then compare these figures with my
own assessment. Ii there is great
difference, | review the matter with
the parties concerned and il am at
fault the correction is cheerfully
made. My records are open to every
one and it will be pleasure to me to
have the taxpayers call at my office,
on the west side, to inspect the
assessment rolls.
Personal Property.
The personal property will probably
not be any higher in valuation than
last year. Although the population
has greatly increased since last year
and more personal property
consequently has come in, yet the
following facts will prove the truth
of my contention: (p Wear and tear.
~ Mortgages have been eliminated.
(3 Bicycles belonging to the heads of
families cannot be taxed. IA Watches
valued at less than $50 also excluded.
Isl In order to assess a piano a family
must possess 5000 or more of personal
property.
All Should Be Assessed Alike.
Il believe in assessing all alike,
whether the people are rich or poor,
residents or non-residents, it matters
not. For instance I have been told
by some, Assess this or that
corporation as high as you can-kill
them, or, The owners Of that property
do not live here-assess them
for the benefit of those who really are
residents
"NOne Of the railroads will escape
their just share Of the taxes. Several
railroad men were at my office a few
days ago to see about their assessments:
I found that they were perfectly will
ing to be assessed on the same scale
with the smaller property owners"