The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-07
PLAN TO REDUCE
PRESENT TAX.RATf
City Is Relieved of School Bur-
den and Assessor Finds
Values Grown

OAKLAND. July Changes in the
statutes governing taxations, with luc-
tuations in property and other assess
able valuations. have made il necessary
for City Auditor and Assessor George
Gross in preparing the tax levy esti-
mate 10 revise radically the estimate Of
last year.
The principal benefit to the city IN
the new legislation lies in the fact that
the city is relieved OF liability for
school support In consequence Gross
hopes 10 effect lowered tax rate for
the fiscal year ls09-lslO.
He asserted today that II his calcula-
lions prove accurate the citizens Of
Oakland will be able 10 sanction the
issue Of the proposed big bond issue,
maintain the municipal departments as
amply as has been done, and yet pay
on both regular taxes and bond issue
slightly more than now is being turned
into the city treasury.
ESTIMATED REVENUE
Gross has based his figures thus far
on the prevailing tax rate Of SI2O on
each 500 Of valuation. He estima ties
year on that rate the sum Of $1.s0o,000.
This income would be scarcely sde-
auate for the municipaI needs under the
old statutes. Last year the city paid
oGt $l65 900 10 the school department.
There is now in effect law, passed by
the last legislature. which compels the
high and common schools of the city to
look to the county for maintenance.
Hence. according TO Gross figures, the
city Of Oakland viii be required to ap-
portion not more than $4,000 during
the fiscal year for the permanent i'm
provement Of the schools. While con-
siderable permanent Improvement OF
new school buildings, additions to
schoolhouses and new sites is deemed
imperative the city administration pro-
poses TO care for these IN the bond issue
which is TO be submitted 10 the voters
in September.
INCREASES AND DECREASES
In reorganization Of sources Of income
and Of disbursements Gross points out
various increases and decreases. The
valuation this year of unsecured per-
sonsI property he puts at s106.5le.S00
Last year the valuation on the same
reached only sos, 653. 400. the increased
valuation being s2,s65.foo.
Rear estate valuations show in the
assessment rolls a loss Of S372,050, but
the gain in improvements is Sl,75o,9 500.
Because OF a new law making the val
uation OF mortgages a net valuation,
there appears a decrease in this item
of S2.5s6. 0Oo But against il there is a
gain Of 81 100000 in personal property.
There Is further decrease OF t138,45o
in solvent credit
in compiling his figures Gross estt-
mates that the change in the school law
will ave the city $4,000 annually.
FIGURES LOW TAX RATE
He declares that the estimate OF
sIos,5I6. 500 on unsecured personal prop
erty is exceedingly low. and argues that
2 $40 tax rate would provide munil-
Gently for the departmental mainten-
ance and public betterment fund. Then.
taking into consideration the increase
in realty improvements, he perceives
that the tax rate can be made lower
than Sl2O. This VIII enable the city to
bond itself for a city hail. water front
development and other improvements
without assuming dragging tax la
bilitv.
Il believe the new conditions VIII be
q decided impetus to the needed bond
movement" said Gross, IF with the re-
auctions in expenses the city can issue
bonds and yet be compelled TO pay a
tax rate in total hardly in excess of the
prevailing rate Of S1.20 on each $780,"