The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-06-04
Finances Of Municipality win
Make II Possible to Erect the
New City Hall.
AUDITOR ANDERsoNS PLAN
Figures 1t That Council Can Put
$4,000 Into Building and
Not Increase Debt or
Raise Levy. @

Auditor Anderson has figured oul
how the new city hall can be bulli
without any increase in the tax levy
of the municipality. There is at pres
ent a IO-mill limit on the city tax
levy. and Mr.. Anderson says this limit
need not be removed by the legislature
in order that Astoria's new headauar-
ters may be erected.
Last year our city taxes amounted
to about $4,000" said the auditor yes
terday, explaining his plan. The levy
was 10 mills. This year We will re-
ceive $4,000, because of the increased
valuation Of city property. Next year
when the valuation viii be still fur
ther increased on account Of the new
property owned up in East Astoria,
we will get about $4,000,
Nov, we paid off about $4,000 of
our debt last year with total tax
revenue of only $4,000. If we receive
only $4,000 a year for the next five
years we will be able to make quite
as good showing and have balance
of $4,000 year. In five years this
would amount to s25,OOO, which, with
the $4,000 now in the city hall fund
would provide money enough to build
the hall. 1t is my opinion that of the
10 mills which we levy for municipal
purposes2 mills could be set aside for
the city hall. the remaining mills
to be used to conduct the city govern
ment. We could issue warrants against
the special fund and in this manner
the debt of the city would not be in
creased.
1.-The statement that our debt was
reduced 100000 last year will perhaps
be surprising to those who are not
familiar with municipal conditions, but
it is quite true nevertheless. The re-
duction was the result of increased
police court receipts and sundry Ii
censes, and the receipt Of substantial
amounts for delinquent taxes. Police
court and sundry license receipts will
be even greater this year, and we should
not build the new hall and at the same
time continue to effect a reduction in
the indebtedness"
The financial condition of the city
has improved wonderfully during the
past year, and if the heavy interest ac-
count can ever be stopped, Astoria viii
be in position to make many repairs.
Only short time ago taxpayers were
fearful that the limit of Indebtedness,
$215,OO0 would be exceeded, in which
event the city would be in most en- /
barrassing situation. Now, however,
the debt is $153,427.27, or SCI, 500 from
the limit. The present council has
been very careful with its funds, and
the result has been apparent in the
financial exhibits of the auditor and
treasurer. The next statement of those ;
officials will doubtless be even more
favorable.
1t will also be news to man Astorians {
to know that the city is now nearer
to a cash basis than it has been for {
many years. The last cali for war
rants issued by Treasurer Dealey is 7
destined to take up outstanding paper II
to February 1, so the city is just four /
months behind with its obligations
The city includes the warrants issued ,
to pay for the new city hall site, which I
cost $4,000. The city is effecting a {
big saving in interest, and Auditor An
derson states that the interest paid
out during the first quarter of 1903 was
greater in amount than that paid out
during the other three quarters of the
year.
So there is no particular reason why
The city can not build city hall which U