Evening journal., 1915-02-15
COUNTY MAY ISSUE BONDS
AND RAISE THE TAX RATE

Of the finance committee of the Levy
Court. estimated that S250.000 would
be needed to meet the county's re-
quirements and to take care of its
overdraft up 10 October 1. Mr. Groves
also said that the Farmers Bank had
declined to loan money to meet con-
tingent expenses of the county as IL
had in the past, and at the afternoon
session this discovery of the statue
prohibiting loans in excess of $4,000
by the Farmers Bank to the county
was explained.
No Money At Present
The first witness called at the after
noon session Of the probe was Candy
Hopkins, clerk of the Levy Court, who
produced the books of that body going
back as far as the year 1903. Legis-
lative Attorney William G. Jones
asked Mr.. Hopkins when the deficits
first started to roll up. Mr.. Hopkins
stated that in 1904 the tax rate was
/ 20 cents on the 500. and in 1904-5 IL
was reduced to 65 cents In 1906, he
said, the county was overdrawn $4,000.
This overdraft has increased every
year. In 1907-S there was an over
draft of $4,000. in 1912 it was s62. .2S3
and in 1913 amounted to as much az
100000
in other words you were getting
further away from the $4,000 all the
time and ther further away you gof
the further in you got?" asked Mr.
Grantland.
"Is it because the Farmers Banl
questions the legality of certain o.
your bills that it refused to lend you
more money! queried Mr.. Elliott.
Mr.. Hopkins replied that Le did no
know
Mr.. Hopkins stated that there is NJ
money on hand in the county treasur.
at present for county purposes.
Mr.. Hopkins then explained that tn,
county tax rate had dropped from 81
cents TO 55 cents in 1913.
Can you explain why the tax rate
were juggled from year TO year {?
asked Mr.. Elliott.
J Attorney Jones stated that the Lew
Court has the right to raise or lowe
the tax rate as it sees fit.
!
now and July 1, the end of the pres
ent fiscal year between $4,000 an,
} 100000 would be collected by tn
? county in taxes and from fees of tn
, various county offices. OF this abou
$4,000 will have to be expended 70
five months salary for county EN-
ployes.
Mr.. Jones asked what the fnancia
condition of the county was when tn
3 present Levy Court first went init
office. Mr.. Hopkins replied that tn
! first report of the County Treasure
, received by the present Levy Cour
d on January IA, 1913, a few days afte
they went into office, showed
balance of SCI 1,7S6.42, and the ap
, proXimate amount of taxes they re
ceived during the first six months o
their term, which finished out tina
z fiscal year. increased the amount L
! about $4,000, which amount the
had to finish that year.
5 Frank l.. Speakman, attorney 70
3 the Levy Court. pointed out that ther
, were many bills outstanding when tn
e treasurers report was made. Nj
e Hopkins stated that about half of tn
- 61.7S6.42. about S32 900 had to go fo
). outstanding bills.
S Then you only had $4,000 to ru
i the county on for six months?" aske
y Mr. Grantland.
:, Yes, was the reply
e Levy Court Commissioner Willial
= A. Scott was next called by the legi'
n lative committee. He was asked aboJ
Il the bills outstanding in his distriC
s at present, and declared that SIC
S would pay all he owes He sal
that several things we're not cor
" sidered when the budget for the pre-
e. ent year was made up. "The Farmer
is Bank had been taking care of til
ip Levy Court and the Levy Court e.
ne pccted it would continue to do so
st he added, explaining that much mono
n. was needed to keep the roads in gor
os condition. and stated that he has 2!
miles of roads in his own district
10 look after.
b. How much of the good roads al
NJ