The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1907-06-27
New Lerying Law.

throws safeguards around the people
against high levles and the contract
ing of debts. The feature providing
for special levy to be devoted ex-
clusively to the payment of out
standing Indebtedness at the time
the law went into effect, May is
last is wholesome and helpful. II
provides for gradual but sure liz
uidation Of debt and prevents con-
tracting in the future.
AS stated by the State Tax Com
missioner. this law Is in effect after
May Is, 1907. and will therefore
govern city, town and village coun-
ellis in laying the levies this year. It
will be noted that this act changes
very materially the old law regulat-
ing the laying of levies. No city.
town or village council can convene
tc consider the laying OF a levy for
municipal purposes prior to the first
Tuesday OF July in any year. On
that date the council shall, at ses-
sion thereof, held for the purpose,
make up an estimate as provided by
this act of the amount necessary to
levy for municipal purposes. desig-
mating specifically and clearly the
smount necessary under each head
or class of expenditures. When
this is done the council adiourns its
session until the list of proposed ex-
penditures is published once in each
week for three successive weeks in
two newspapers of opposite politics.
q there be such in the county. Then
the council shall. on the first Tues
day after the last OF the three pub
LEGATIONS is made, reconvene for the
purpose Of laying the levy. At this
time they shall consider any objec-
lions which may be filed by any tax
payer. the prosecuting attorney or
state tax commissioner as to the cor
rectness of the estibates of the
amounts proposed to be. levied. or
any item Thereof. 1t shall be the
duty of the council to give due con-
sideration to any objections fled.
Notwithstanding the provision of
Chapter AZ of the Code of West Viz
gina. or any act OF the legislature.
special or general. incorporating any
city. town or village. or amending
the charter thereof, no council of any
city, town or village shall in any
year lay levy for municipal pur-
poses to exceed 40 cents on the one
hundred dollars valuation for cur
rc3t expenses. The question of an
increased levy. together with the pur-
poses for which 1t is to be levied
and the amount thereof, must first
be submitted to vote of the people
and receive majority of the votes
cast at such election.
This act also provides that in. ad-
ditlon to the maximum levy of 40
certs on the one hundred dollars
valuation. special levy may be laid
for the purpose of paying of out
standing Indebtedness represented by
city. town or village orders. or
bonds, which were outstanding at
the time this act goes into effect.
This additional levy can be laid for
no ether purpose than to pay off out
standing Indebtedness. which indebt-
edness must exist at the time the act
COOS into effect. The levy cannot be
continued after such Indebtedness is
paid of and discharged. The pur-
pose of the legislature in providing
this additional levy was to furnish a
means whereby outstanding indebt-
edness might he paid OF and dis
charged.
The act herein referred to pro-
vides that 1t shall be unlawful for
any city, town or village council to
contract or attempt to contract any
debt or liability or issue any order
or orders which cannot be paid out
OF the levies of the current year. 1t
further provides that any member or
members of any city. town or village
council who shall contract or at
tempt 10 contract any debt in excess
.. the levies or the current year shall
forfeit his office. and the fund
against which the debt Is contracted
shall not be bound for such illegal
! ideLt, obligation or contract
The instructions are explIcft, the
rlan pralseworthy and the manner
of laying the levies most fair. There
need be no misunderstanding about
the Law and certainly errors would
be inexcusable.