The San Francisco call., 1904-06-26
URGES A LOWER
CITY TAX RATE
Assessor Dodge Informs Su-
pervisOrs of Big Increase
in the Assessment Roll
EXCEEDS HALF BILLION
Levy VIII Be Reduced by
Eight Cents as Result of
the Enormous Valuation

Assessor Dodge sent communication
yesterday TO the Board Of Supervisors
tu which he gives assurance that the
citys revenue for the next fiscal year
nay be estimated on the basis Of q
roll Of more than $500, 900, 900. This
makes possible a lower city tax rate
than originally contemplated.
This announcement has already been
outlined in The Call, and in all likelI-
hood when the full returns are all in
the roll viii aggregate an amount ap-
proximating S5l5, 100000.
Assessor Dodge urges that a lower
tax rate than that Of $1-2O53, proposed
on an estimated roll Of 1856. 900. 900. be
adopted by the Board Of Supervisors.
The board Will therefore reduce the
rate TO $1.12566 at to-morrow's meeting,
making II SO cents for running eX-
penses. Z cents for parks and 1856
cents for interest and sinking fund on
bonds. Dodge's letter follows:
DODGE MAKES REPORT.
''SAN FRANCISCO. June %. 1904.
TO the Honorable Board of Super
visors OF the City and County Of San
Francisco-Gentleme While I am as
yet unable TO determine the exact
amount Of the assessment roll for this
year. have In the last few days been
able 10 estimate approximately what it
viii be. From these computations I feel
safe IN giving you the assurance that
you may estimate the city's revenue
for the current year on the basis Of
roll OF $500. 600, 900. rather than on a roll
OF S465, ,000, 900. This additional increase
in the roll would result in a decrease
OF the tax rate amounting to approx
mately cents, giving 10 taxpayers the
extremely low rate of 80 cents on the
S10o in lieu Of the dollar limit. I am
advised that it is within your power
10 change the tax rate previously es-
tablished, which was adopted for pur-
poses OF computation only in order to
provide the revenue made necessary by
the tax budget, which latter has, how
ever, been definitely fixed.
BENEFITS TAXPAYERS.
eff a lower tax rate. based on an in
creased assessment roll. win provide
the revenue which your honorable
board has decided upon respectfully
submit that our taxpayers should -se
given the benefit Of this lower tax rate
Taxes this year are going to be largely
increased. and to this increase there
should not be added the additional bur-
den Of taxes, which if levied will mere
" form a surplus revenue which must
lie in the city treasury unused during
the ensuing fiscal year. 1 do not be-
lieve that the majority Of our taxpay-
ers viii object to the increase in their
taxes. which increase your honorable
board has so justly devoted to neces-
sary public improvements, amounting
TO the sum Of over $500, 900. I do believe,
however, that this year, above all 9TH
ers, they should be spared the exaction
OF any unnecessary tribute in the way
Of taxation
I have presented this matter fully
in order that you may have before you
all the facts which this Office is able to
furnish you, believing that your hon
orable board, ever mindful Of the tax
payers interest, will deal justly and
fairly with this important question.
Very respectfully yours,
WASHINGTON DODGE,
Assessor"