The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-08-14

After the county attorney, to whom
the matter had been referred, had
rendered his opinion in writing to the
effect that the board of county COM
missioners could legally take this ac-
ton, the board, at the regular meeting
held last night, adopted a resolution
providing for an increase in the tax
able valuation of the property in the
business district of Pensacola.
Before this action was taken the
question was argued at length and
every feature Of the proposition was
fully discussed, a considerable lot Of
time being consumed in the argument
and discussion.
The opinion of the county attorney
was to the effect that the board might
at any time act in the capacity of an
equalizing board and had the right to
either raise or lower valuations, when
ever the board was of the opinion
that the valuations were such that the
burden of taxation was not equally
distributed.
The resolution providing for the in
crease was prepared by the county
attorney, in accordance with the pro-
visions of the laws of the state, pro-
viding for the equalization OF the tsx-
able valuations made by the county
assessor, whose duty IL is to assess
the valuations. but whose valuations
are subject to equalization by the
board of county commissioners.
The board held a meeting a week
ago for the purpose of adopting the
proposed increased valuations. after
hearing the objections of tax PAYERS.
as required by law, but at this time,
after the tax payers and citizens had
entered their protests, John r. stokes.
as attorney for number Of those in
terested. raised the question as to the
| legal authority of the board to adopt
these valuations, thereby Increasing
the taxes. This was why the action
of the board was deferred until last
nights session and the matter re
ferred to County Attorney r. p.
| Reese.
SIXTEEN BLOCKS AFFECTED.
Sixteen solid blocks in the heart OF
the business district Of the city are
| affected by the action of the board last
| night. The property on which the
valuation has been increased lies be-
tween Main and Wright streets on the
| north and south, and between Baylen
and Tarragona streets. on the east
and west. In other words, the property
| affected is eight blocks long by two
! blocks wide and takes in practically
the entire business section of the city.
The increase makes the taxable
! valuation of the property described.
according to the county tax assessor,
| about sixty per cent of the valuation
set upon 1t by the city tax assessor.
REPORT REFERRED BACK.
Because the superintendent Of the
poor farm did not comply With the
| resolution of a recent meeting Of the
| board in reference to including GER
! tain expenses in the cost OF feeding
] the inmates of the institution, his re-
| port was referred back for correction,
after it had been read.
| Following the last monthly report
| Of the superintendent of the poor
farm, attention was called to the fact
| that in figuring the cost Of feeding
| the inmates certain items OF expense
which should have been included were
1 not included, with the result that the
average cost of feeding was consider
ably lower than II should be and left
! the impression that the inmates were
not being as well fed as they resllv
were, and a resolution directing the
| superintendent to include the items
referred to was adopted.
The report as read last night show
ed the total cost of operating the poor
farm as S349.23, that there were 30 in
mates fed during the month. at an
| average cost Of IL cents per day. The
amounting to $20.45, to cover the cost
of operating the institution, as there
was no error in this part of the report.
| but IL is thought that the average cost
per day of feeding will be increas ased
about four cents.
BILL REJECTED.
! A bill from Clement Blount, captain
| of one Of the local military companies.
amounting to $20.45, TO cover tha cost
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