The daily tribune., 1908-04-21
EXPLAINS STANDING
OF CITY FINANCES

not be alarmed at the evidence that
Ex Parte gave in its last issue OF It's
editors latest brainstorm, as all OF
the people that have lived in Florence
for the last ton years know that as
long "a the said editor is kept from
getting his hand into the till, their
money is safe. 1t is only for the
benefit of the new corners that these
few words are necessary, ~ the older
residents have heard his yelp so
often that they take no notice of it.
The occasion for his present yelp is
very easily explained. The taxes re-
ceived from the county treasurer from
April first, 1906, to April 1907, was
$50, ,547. 81 81, 200 Of this was received
April fourth, 1907, which should nave
been credited to the year beginning
April lst 1907, and ending April LIST,
1908, but as the books had not been
closed and the yearly reports had not
been made, the officers included in
their report, which enormously credit
ed 1t to the year as mentioned. This
made difference of taxes In favor of
the 1905 year of IS, 400 by taking -, 200
from 1907 and adding 1t to 1905.
We wish to call the attention of
the people to the fact that during the
year 1906 there was considerable back
taxes paid and there WAS some un-
paid interest that the council claimed
and got, which swelled the amount
received from county treasurer beyond
any year in the history of Florence
because from the fact that our assess.
ed valuation and our tax levy has
never been such that the revenue
from general taxes could exceed much
over $40. goo; in addition to the above
this year the county commissioners
have extended the time for adding
the penalty to unpaid taxes one
month, which made the collection OF
taxes slower, aud the money that
should have been collected in the
month OF March land therefore be-
longing to the revenue of the yenr
just passed) did not coDe into the
possession of the city clerk till the
10th day Of April and amounted to
- 900 or more.
This 8, 900 properly belonged to the
year just expired. but owing to the
books having been closed and the
auditing committees report having
been made, II could not be included.
SO you will find that by adding the
5000 which was received too late to
be properly credited to the year it be-
longed to, the s4.20O that was or.
roneously credited to the year 1906,
It will account for $4,000 OF our
friends discrepancy aud as every
body is we'll aware that people do no,
always pay their taxes promptly, the
balance OF our friend Morse's nest is
yet unpaid taxes.
The people of Florence do not need
to be alarmed; IT was only u brain.
storm our city finances are improving
every year and 1t is only question
of u fewyesrs when there will be nc
city tax, providing they keep out OF
power the men with brainstorms. as
they have n hnbit of making their
printing cover double the space when
doing the city's printing by using
larger type than the law allows, be-
cause the printing Is paid for by the
inch Of space covered and not by the
number of words
The city's financial increase for the
year Is M follows;
The warrant. bond and interest
fund has been reduced - ,Gl7. 50. The
water bond sinking fund has boon
Increased t6s23. 81. Amount of money
received from county treasurer April
10Th q, 0OO Total gain ta5. I'll. az.
Not such = bad showing for third
GLASS men. OF course n the city had
been ruu by nrst-clasu mon that charge
e76 for the same work that others
charge 30 for. we might have = bot
Ter showing (for tho men thcmseivcn)
but We cannot see whore tho city