Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1913-12-30
COUNTY TAX
BUDGET CUT.
POLK COUNTY TAX LEVY IN
cLUDING STATE TAX rs 171a
MILLS FOR 1914
Meeting Harmonious. Judge Teal
and Commissioner Wells Upheld.
County Levy 2 and tenths Mills
Less Than Last Year.

During the past few weeks senti
ment in the county seemed to have
crystallized in opposition to the
twenty mill tax levy first proposed b,
the county court.
Learning of this general sentiment
the Observer proceeded to interview
the members of the county court
relative to the matter that we might
report to the people how the court
felt about it..
Judge Teal took a decided stand
for reduction of 212 mills which
seemed to be even a greater cut than
was anticipated by the tax payers.
The interviews as published by the
Observer, no doubt reduced the at
tendance at the meeting to the mini
mum, as the taxpayers realized that
the court would do the best that they
could for the best interests of the
county.
In the interview published two of
the members of the board had shown
that they had been busy since the
first estimate was made and had al
ready convinced themselves that there
were several places where the blue
pencil could be used and where the
pruning shears might be applied with
good effect, and the people confident
in the ability of these men who had
expressed themselves as of the
opinion that the levy could be trim
med without injury to the interests of
the county, they rested their faith in
their ability and integrity to do the
best that they could for them.
Representative taxpayers from ev-
cry section of the county in atten-
dance upon the meeting, seemed to
have no disposition to criticise the
court, but rather to assist willingly
in cooperating with them in the
struggle to make the levy just as low
as possible and at the same time give
proper attention to the best interest
of the county, and continue in the
good work of improving our schools
and roads.
No progressive citizen wishes for
the court to cut the tax to degree
where its financial standing would
come into disrepute, at the same time
those present wished if possible to
keep the levy down to 1712 mills
as suggested by the Observer in its
last Fridey's issue that it should be
done.
Prominent among those present who
took part in the discussion were w
H. Cadle of Rickreall, Senator {.
l.. Hawley and J. S, Sears of McCoy'
w. F. Nichols, banker. of Falls City,
C. L. Starr of Portland, representing
the Falls City Lumber Company. ID.
F. Keyt of Perrydale, Joe Brown OF
Salt Creek and others whose names
we did not learn.
Judge Teal and commissioner Wells
stood fast for the proposed reduction
from the first, and Commissioner
Petre was finally persuaded that the
taxpayers demands were just.
Good natured pleasantries were
passed during the session which en-
livened the discussion, making the
session less tiresome and thus Keep
ing all in a good humor.
Cuts made from the budget as pub
lished were taken from the admin
expense and state tax lI2
mills, and one mill from the road
tax as estimted.
The court found upon taking Of
flee at the first of this year a large
county debt. while at the close OF the
year there will be a small balance on
hand. For this reason it has teen
possible to levy for county purposes
Exclusive of state taxi II and l tenth
mills as against ID mill levy last
year on larger county valuation.
and the school and road fund are not
The assessment roll of 1912 showed
1 total of $14,SOO.O0O in round num-
Ders. while the roll of 1913 shows
, total of s13.9OO0OO.
The levy in mills and the amount
Produced for the several funds fol .
Ow:
State tax. "a mills. S75.4l9.S4.
General administration fund in
.luding county offices and courts, 80 ]
Mills. S4S. .SS3.23.
School. High School and Library
unds. SO mills. O.279.s9.
Road fund. > mills. s69.S33.l9. q
Total. liz mills, S244.4l6-l5. =