Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-07-07
Total Levy for All County Pur-
poses is Reduced Three and
Six TenthS Mills Under Last
Year,
THREE MILL INCREASE IN
THE CITY SCHOOL LEVY
This With Increase in Terri
toriaI School Levy Brings
Total Tax Rate -Four enthS
of a Mill Above Last Year,

III SBitt ~ q iAhuNAi'li - 49, 49,
s%ix-tenths mills in the total tax levy
for all county purposes, the total
tax rate in this county for the com
ing year will be four-tenths of a mil
higher han the past year. The in
crease is caused by an increase of
three mills in the city school levy for
Albuquerque's pubic schools and an
additional Increase Of one mill in the
territorial levy for the general school
fund: a total increase of -four mills for
school and oVer-balanctng
the reduction made by the county
commission in he county tax rate by
Just four-tenths of a mill.
In plain dollars and cents the tax
rate last ear, or 1906 was 1915 On
the 500. In this year. or 1907, II Will
be $3.50 on the $10O.
This Is the result of the meeting
of the county commissioners yesterday
at which the tax rate was fixed as re-
quired by law.
The fact. that there is a four-tenthe
Of a mill Increase in the tax rate which
the people of Albuquerque VIII nave
TO pay in no wise detracts from the
accomplishment Of the county Commts-
sioners in reducing the total levy Tor
county purposes by three and six
tenths mills. This reduction is tho
result of a careful application of bust
ness principles and economy and
shows what can be accomplished N
time by the continued application Of
these principles.
The four-tenths of a mill increase
does not affect the county outside o.
Albuquerque where the three mills in
crease made by the city school boar1
does not apply and in this city II Is
safe to say that there is no taxpayer
who will object to this levy since It
goes for the support of the public
schools and to replace the funds which
the schools lose through the abolition
Of gambling, which will take place on
the first of January next.
The county will also lose a constd-
erablo revenue from the cutting off Of
the gambling licenses but the commits,
sion after figuring his loss of
nue. was still able to reduce Its levy
more than three, mills, while had the
commission beef willing TO take some
small chances with certain special
funds It would have been possible To
still further reduce the levy.
The special levy for river and flood
defense which was two mills last year,
remains the same this year. The COM
m%issioners were inclined 10 reduce
this levy, since 1t seemed to be the
feeling that the work done this year
on the river Is permanent work, but
County Surveyor Pitt Ross who was
present, advised strongly against any
reduction tn the river tax on the
ground that there was much work still
to he lone and hat the county should
be prepared with ample funds in hand
ta meet an emergency, and not have
10 call on the citizens for aid as has
been the case in the past and until the
present county board came into the
management of county affairs.
The board will. therefore, probably
have a large surplus at the end ~
the wear In this fund which can be APP
piled TO permanent river Improvement
which Is much needed.
The board abolished the bridge levy
entirely but mad an increase in the
levy for roads and bridges. This was
made necessary by the fact that an
expense Of some $4,000 Is absolutely
necessary during the year in order
that the bridges at BarelaS and Cor
rallies may be made permanently safe
The levy for this purpose is still be-
low the total oi last year, when The tw1
lcvies were made
The general county fund levy Tes
mains the same, as does he canine
real fund. "A fixed charge and the in
tcrest on bonds levy which Is also a
fixed charge. \ slight raise Is mad"
In the court fund. but the boarding or
prisoners levy is entirely wiped out
This was the levy which the Hubbei
regime succeeded In having passed
through the legislature during the last
year of their power In the county.
The court house and jail fund IS
slightly reduced, while the judgment
fund remains the same. 1t H. inter-
csting to note hat this levy FOR judg-
ment against the county of 1900 ot
a mill will this year meet an outstand-
ing judgments against the county
leaving the county free of floating In
dcbtcdness. which the county hoard
has the power to pay. During
the past year an current bills
have been paid dollar for dollar, ana
there Is no outstanding running cN-
ppuSc against the county. which is IN
better financial condition thar ever
before I'm its history. This. too. after
more work has been done on The rtvtr
at rounty expense than ever before.
while the our house and jail have
been repaired, bridges strengthened
and considerable road work done
The cnmmiSsluncrS were diSap-
pointed yesterday when il was found
that the total tax rate would be- higher
than last year. aud there was much
discussion of reducing several county
lcsios still further. but the board
finally decided that 10 would be- better
L. have sufficient funds to meet all
EXPENSES aud remained satisfied with