The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-08-22
State Equalization Board.

of equalization has been session IN BOISE and 1t
has succeeded in interesting the people of Idaho
and especially the people of Ada county. The
report of a committee appointed to investigate the
assessment methods of Ada county is Of such a
nature as to cause the average taxpayer to sus-
pec himself of participation in the illegal conceal
ment of all kinds of taxable property.
AT the end of its story the committee advised an
increase of thirty per cent in the valuation of Ada
county land and ten per cent in the valuation of
improvements along with increase of forty per
cent in the valuation of city lots in Boise.
Saw mill and planning mill property, the committee
believes will stand raise of 100 per cent, goods,
wares and merchandise in general were found to
be listed 100 per cent under their assessable value
and recommendation was made that such articles
as harness. robes and saddles might equitaby be
augmented to the extent of 1000 per cent
The assessor of Ada county able to find only
5000 in money in the whole county, while the COM
mittee ran across bonanza of $250000 in the safety
deposit boxes of one Of the Boise banks.
Upon the basis of its discoveries, the committee
concluded that the valuation of all the taxable
property in Ada county should be raised to $15,oOO,
600 which would represent an increase of fifty per
cent on the values returned by the assessor.
Other committees were appointed to investigate
the valuation of other counties of the state and their
findings were as follows
Bannock-We find that the assessor has abided
by the so per cent basis as agreed upon at the
January meeting of the assessors
Bear I.ake-Assessed on so per cent basis.
Binghanl-Not assessed according to agreement
of assessors concerning bank stock, and an increase
of 20 per cent in this item on the abstract is recon-
mended
Blane-Assessor did not accept basis agreed upon
Increases recommended in lands city and town lots
and other improvements. Other property believed
to be assessed at so per cent of cash valuation
7 and DartIy
with agreement of assessors. County assessed at
about 80 1-3 per cent of actual cash valuation.
Farming and grazing lands apparently higher than
timber
Bonner-Varous classes of property about equally
assessed.
Canyon-Real estate is assessed at from % 1-2 to
25 per cent of its cash valuation Low on work and
graded horses Other property at about so per cent
Cassia-Assessed a basis of so per cent.
Custer-No increase reported over 1907 Sheep
do not conform as to assessment per head with other
counties Raise recommended.
E1more-Assessed on a basis of so per cent.
Fremont Recommended that 2o466o head OF
sheep 2719 common cattle and 528 beet cattle be
added (for six months) No fault found i'll other
assessments.
Idaho-No recommendation offered, but it is sug-
gested that valuation of land seems little out of
proportion compared with other counties
Kootenai-City and town lots and improvements
thereon little high.
I.atah-Assessed at about As per cent OF an actual
cash valuation.
Lemhi-Patented lands high enough; also other
with the exception of machinery which it
valued at $12,475, which seems inconsistent con-
sdering the fact that O575 of patented mining
property reported.
Iincoln-Raise of 20 per cent recommended on
improvements upon town lots. Low in number of
sheep and work and graded horses. Low on mer
chand1Se.
Nez Perce-Appraised at nearly so per cent.
Oneida-No recommendations.
Owyhee-Fair gain reported
Shoshone-Assessed on basis of 80 per cent
Twin Fal1s-Assessed in accordance with agree
ment of assessors. Some classes of livestock