The daily tribune., 1908-03-12
ASSESSOR
". |. MORRIS
ExPLh AIMS

|
At the request of The Tribune,
County Assessor W. L. Morris gives
some valuable information regarding
the new arrangement of arriving at
the assessed valuation in this city.
The assessed valuation on property
in this city, as noted in yesterday 8
Tribune, is to be considerable reduced
with this year. The assessed valua-
, tion in the past had been about fifty
per cent Of the actual value of the
property but henceforth it will be
valued at ono-third on the county
assessment books. This arrangement
will lower taxes generally over the
city.
Mr.. Morris states that the reason
tax values have been so high here for
the past few years is the large
amount of outstanding warrants on
the general fund of the city finances.
Several years ago warrants were
issued to great amount in excess of
the lawful limit. Colorado statutes
provide that no city shall exceed three
per cent of its assessed valuation for
Its general expenses. For years the
assessed valuation of Florence prop
erty was $500, 900, and three per cent
OF. this amount would be $24, 600, and
this represents the amount that this
city should keep within for its gen.
eral expense account.
1t is we'll known fact that dur
ing several administrations here the
finances OF the city were not too care
fully guarded and in some cases
money was spent very freely. This
coupled with the expense incurred in
taking care Of the smallpox epidemics
In years past, and the issue of $40,
900 warrant as a bonus to one of the
milling companies, put the city finsn
oes to the bad. and it has been diff
cult matter to catch up with the over.
issue. The affairs Of the city are
! now in good shape; SO good in fact
that the condition justifies the lower.
ing OF the assessment, which In turn
lowers the total taxes the property
owners will have to pay.
Assessor Morris thinks that re-.
duction Of at least seventeen and one :
half per cent in the assessed values
can be put into effect with safety.
The assessed value Of Florence prop
erty last year was $7s5. 900 in round
numbers and with the Forthcoming
reduction this amount can be cut at
least $i25, 900. This then. will give
Florence an assessed value Of $500.
600, or thereabouts. The reduction
will effect every piece Of property
within the city limits. and Florence
property will be ON the same assess
ment value rs Canon City.
The total reduction on property
will depend largely on the levies that
will be made this year by the city,
cuty and state. The levy by the city
will: be made during the summer. the
levies by the county will be made in
November and the school board will
make their levy in May. There is
one thing certa Florence taxpayers
will not be compelled to pay the es :
cess ON county and state taxes ~ for
merly. which will be somew hat Of u
reduction.
Mayor Macdonald has named
George Wilson and George Deibert
as the committee 10 assist Assessor
Morris In the work Of going from
house to house and obtaining y new
valuation Of property. Mr.. Morris
desires to have the cooperation Of the
city council aud their backing In the
movement no that they will share
part Of the responsibility. This work
commenced this morning and sev.