Evening journal., 1913-04-10
JOINT TAX
BOARD SUGGESTED
Mr.. PIERCE Has Plan Whereby
Assessment Gould be
Made Satisfactory

J. Ball PIERCE. president of the Will
mington Real Estate Brokers Associ-
alton. TO an EVENING JOURNAL re-
porter today made some suggestions
relative 10 joint city and county
assessment board Members OF the
association think the new assessment
as made by the Levy Court is unfair
in many cases.
Mr. PIERCE said
For many years the public has felt
the need of an equitable assessment
and why spend money for an assess
ment until a modern plan, and one
in keeping with advanced business
methods can be put in operation. The
burden of taxes is paid by real
estate; not only by the man owning
property. but by everyone that rents.
Therefore it is absolutely necessary
that the assessors shall be qualified
to appraise property and Judge values
OF land and buildings The mere fact
of the sale of a property does not de-
termine its value. as conditions at
tending a sale must be taken into
consideration.
"A board should be created by the
Legislature to assess all property in
the county, including the cities and
towns, from which the rate shall be
made for the fiscal year, the assess
ment to be made at its true value, ac-
cording to the best judgment of the
members of the board, such value to
be ascertained by all members max
ing personal examination of the
premises, and upon information that
ran be obtained. the board to hear ap-
peals and give just and true consd-
Grafton to all facts presented
The members of such board should
be men of not less than ten years
experience in real estate and build
ing. Then compensation should be
IN an amount that will enable the
members of the board to devote most
of their time to the work. and the
board should have an Office in the
County Building. which shall be open
from a m. until p. m. each day
excepting Saturday until - m. and
legal holidays. the board to have
service of competent stenographer and
secretary
The expenses should be born in a
proportionate manner by city. county
or town on an equitable basis, and the
FIRST assessment to be paid for by an
extra compensation to the members
of the board and to be completed
within a prescribed number Of years.
The assessors should De presented
with lists of all transfers by the
Recorder of Deeds. and all buildings
erected and altered a record furnish
ed by the Building Inspector of the
cities and towns and all buildings
erected in the county outside of the
cities or towns not having a Building
Inspector, shall be reported to the
board on penalty Of fine
This method will benefit all inter
ested and owning real estate, as II
would eQualize the taxes, and would
be the means of each owner know
ing what his property is assessed for.
and any change in assessment the
owner Of such property should be
notified so as to defend himself be-
fore taking effect
The board should be constituted
Of capable men and politics eliminated
AZ far as possible. Such a board
should be appointed by the Courts
and be removed by them for any just
cause. How can we get a Just and
equitable assessment? All people
do not know values and are not cap
able of appraising, and we surely
must turn to those who are best fitted
TO know.
This is only an outline and a sug-
gestiOn that can be put into operation
and should be considered by all who
wish their interests cared for, as il
affects everybody