The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-12-07
TUESDAY, DECEMBER Z, 1909.
THE COMING ASSESSMENT


The most important thing that
Fredericksburg will have to consider
during the coming year will be the
re-assessment of the real estate ly-
ing in the city limits, because these
assessments viii be the basis of taxa
ton for FIVE years, thereby deter
mining and fixing our financial
status for that time. In connection
with the matter there are several
things which suggest themselves as
pertinent and first among these is
the necessity of having assessors
who will do their duty without fear
or favor and regardless of conse-
quences, save as they affect the
city's welfare. We are confident
that Judge Goodrich will recognize
this necessity in his appointments.
The next thing which stares US in
the face so that we cannot fail to
see is the indisputable fact that the
present valuation of real estate here
in many instances is too low and the
assessment is in other cases inequit-
able. 1t may startle some OF our
taxpayers to say that valuation is
too low, because it follows that this
suggests a higher assessment next
year. but if they will consider for a
moment the result of our last assess
ment and the possibilities of the
next we have every reason to believe
that they will agree with US. The
natural affect of a low assessment is
a high tax rate and the natural con-
sequences of a high tax rate are
disastrous to the progress Of any
town. Outside parties desiring to
purchase real estate here or to In
vest in manufacturing or business
enterprises invariably enquire as to
the tax rate, but they seldom, II
ever, ask Of the assessment. A high
tax rate is the best thing in the
world to run outsiders away with
and to brighten capital, while a low
assessment tends to place, in the eyes
ofoutsiders, a lower value on property
than that generally placed on the
property by its owner. AS a result,
therefore, of our present low assess
ment we have in effect a higher tax
rate than should obtain in city
this size, and for this reason we hope
that the next board of assessors will
see to it that property assessments
are increased to a proper valuation,
and this done we believe that the
Finance Committee will shortly
thereafter recommend to the COun-
ell q decrease in the tax rate. If
the assessors will ascertain, as they
perhaps can, from the Finance Com
mittee the probable amount of rev.
enue we will need each year for five
years and then fix their valuation on
q maximum tax rate basis of Sl.1O
or H.25 for city purposes we believe
the assessment will be the most sat
isfactory ever made in this city.
Valuations will, of course, be in
creased, but taxes will be decreased
and the change will be a desirable
one from every standpoint. The
same line Of reasoning also applies
to the counties in this section, where
assessments are VIGOROUSLY low.
The argument sometimes advanced
that the State benefits by high as
sessment is not worthy of considera-
ton, since it is only fair and just and
honest that the State should receive
what is rightly hers from every tax
payer and citizen. That she has not
received it in the past is no reason
why she won't in the future, and
State board of equalization will be
the result of a failure on the part Of
local authorities to give the State
square deal.