The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-01-26
CITY AUDITORS
 ANNUAL REPORT

tionment and Taxation of the City
 of Bridgeport
 Gentlemec.
 In presenting to you my annual report for the next fiscal year, 1914 1915, I find that practically the same conditions and problems are before us which we have had to meet each successive year, for many years past. to wit: vastly increased defnands due mainly to the rapid growth and de- svelopment of the city, and a grand list and other resources, not increasing proportionately to the cityss fncreas- ing needs. An act of the Legislature, passed at it's last session, has elilni- mated the separate taxing districts of appropriations are Thereafter to be made and the taxes levied Tor all city expenses, on the inhabitants and prop erty of the entire city alike and have framed my report and the proposed city budget accordingly-
 Were we to provide for all city re- quirements, from the proceeds of tax ation and other ordinary resources of the city, it would mean a greatly in- creased tax rate, in fact, Q burden some one to our taxpayers.
 But some of the demands for the Aext fiscal year are to provide for work of such a permanent nature that it seems both just and proper that they should be met either by bond period of years in no case beyond the life of the fnprovenae ents thus bonded for. To do this. it is no long a new Legislature for a general act passed by the Legislature of 1913, en- ab1es ms to submit the questions of bending or serial nots issue to s,a meSd- Fa,. that purpose for their approvai or re- 5ection-
 serial notes for any improver1ents not Of permanent natures or for long CT term than the life of the improve uent bonded for. z
 We would not be J1stihed in bond ing to meet current expenses. It is very easy to go in debt. but we should realfme that every dollar of debt means d drain on our available resources fof current needs and an increase in our ! tax rate to meet the debt. principal and interest thus created. We should dlnerentiate between those @ tniEgs and thhoee which are clearly improp- CT ones
 have eliminsted the foIiowing itenns of the requisitions. from the current years budget because they are deemed proper matters for bonding: An incinerating plant s2o0, 0oe- % Parks. land for new
 park s6,z11.OO Police. new precinct
 New school buildings 111,5oo- DO
 
 [ recounu1end that immediate action De taken to submit each of the foregoing items to a separate vote or the electors of the city, at "a meeting called for that purpose
 Ez,asu,5nation of fTaxfng Districts
 The elimination of the separate tax ing districts of our city calls for a new order of things. As the tax rate will be uniform, hereafter. on all the inhabitants and property of the city irrespective of place of residence or course course. that the pTaperty Hitherto lo- and payiraz a srcall tax, viii hereafter be subjected to payment of taxes at the same rate as property more cen tra1ly located The outlying sections as they are to bear the bur denss share eduitably in all future city improve ments. and should receive adequafe police, ire and health protection, and also a fair share of new sewers, pavea and otherwise improved streets- These things will mean additional expense h must be considered in making the annual budget for 1914-1915.
 True we will have some additional revenue that derived from the fmpo- sitfon of the full tax rate on about s5.0Oo, ,000.0o0 of property which hitherto paid first district taxes only. but in my judgment the iasrease VII 1al dftfonal expenses if we give to the outlying sections their equitable share of all city benefits and improvements. as We ought to do.
 State Taxes
 A State tax of one mill on each dollar of the grand list of our city was levied by the Legislature Of 1913s but this levy was @ maas sa2ssgansntf ,5 gsa f5p ap the fiscal year 1913-1914, and there fore could not have been provided for in that tax levy . one for failure fo provide for the State tax under such circumstances. This State tax, amountlnE to s$1Oi,- sr ssasss @ If end ons ineereel aRe on the same from the date when due to the date of payment will undoubtedly have to be provided for. as a penalty for nom Tsiais tax, which 1estirnate at s11o.- 45e.3e. when paid on April s1st next. is not a proper charge against the rev but will, have to be provided for as though 1t were.
 Another State tax of one mill on each dollar of OUT next perfected grand list has also been levied. and will be due and payable in November, 1914. estimate that this latter, tax will amount to SIS, ,000.00.
 As arrangements have been made <bv the city with the State authorities for poztponement of the date Of pay ment of this tax until ApriI list. 181 5, in this annual budget .
 Let us hope that the Legislature of 1915. will not deem it neoessary to impose new State tax, payable in November of that year, for if it should we would find ourselves In the same position then as now, wrestling with a double State tax
 Necessity of Economy.
 think that it will be conceded that by every fair-minde person that we are in duty bound to the city's tax payers to see that the tax rate is kept down to the lowest point consistent with good government wisely and economically administered. To take more of the substance of our taxpaY- CTS than is necessary for this purpose would be wrong in principle and un- just in practice
 No money ought to be wasted by