Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1911-05-18
The HIGHWAY DISTRICTLAW
The Measure Unanimously Endorsed
By The Farmers Association.
A Movement to Reduce Instead
OF Increase the Tax Burden.

the press, a. several districts have
been petitioned for, and we have
yet failed to see any logical argu-
mcnt against the establishment Of
these districts, although some per
sons, and even an occasional news
paper, who admit ignorance of the
law, endeavOr to raise AN imaginary
Objection To it.
AT the meeting Of the Farmers
Association held Saturday, the mat
ter was fully discussed, and after
a full explanation Of the same by
President Speakman, the establish
ment Of such IL district was most
heartily endorsed by unanimous
vote.
We have the law before IL, and
have read it over carefully, and fail
to find wherein it is going to heap
any additional burden upon the tax
payer, but on the other hand, its
tendency will he to lower the road
taxes.
The law Of the state authorizes
the board of County Commissioners
To levy "a road tax not Ia exceed 10
mills on the dollar, or 81 .UOon each
500. 90 of assessed valuation, and
should district he established, this
limit cannot he exceeded, a. the
old law still remains in force relative
Ia road taxes, and the new law sim
ply transfers the handling Of the
road funds from the County Com
missioners to the Highway Com
missioners
One prominent and very desirable
feature of the new law, is the fact
that all moneys collected in a dis
trict so established, must be spent
within the territory of that district
only. As the law now stands a
portion of the taxes paid by the cit
izens Of Jerome and vicinity, 60 to
improve roads and build bridges III
some remote part of the county
which is sparsely settled. Surely
no one can argue against keeping
our money at home, to improve oul
own roads The Interpretation O
the law is very simple, and il vii
readily be seen that under no con
ditions can the establishment of ;
highway district increase the take
one penny. So much for that argu
ment.
1t must necessarily follow tina
with the money derived from TIN
: regular tax levy, placed in TIN
: hands of competent and eificien
road overseer, and with the worl
done systematically, much NOR
good work can he accomplished will
= the same amount of money THAI
: under the present arrangement, an'
a consequent tendency to lowe
= levy.
} Regarding special tax levy, tn
e law has not been changed from tn
present form, rs the county com
missioners have always had tn
e power to make the special levy
r they so desired, but we believe
e has never been exercised, and prob
4 ably never will be should dis
: trict be established.
( The crowning feature of the ne'
> law, however, and one THE TIMF
e goes on record as heartily endors
A ing, is the section that gives tn
[ highway commission power To bon
r the district for stipulated sum i
i order to secure available cash ;
y once To cover the entire district wit
: good roads. These bonds, howeve
Il can only he issued upon the SAM
d ton of the residents of the district
e as expressed at an election calle
is for that purpose, and the vote q
the establishment of the district
j. no manner sanctions the issue
r bonds.
,. These bonds are to run for twel
r ty years, and the interest for t.
es years must be paid out of the mon'
lt derived from the levy for road pu
}. poses, which, as the law states mu