The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1917-09-13
LITTLE CHANGE
IN NEXT YEARS
TAX BUDGETS
County, School District, City and
Port District Publish Their
Estimates
MORE MONEY FOR THE ROADS
Rate Will Be Five Mills in Each of
Three Districts-Four Mills
For General Fund

While it is too early yet to definitel,
say what next years tax rate will be
the published budgets of the various
taxing units indicate that the rate will
not be any lower and probably slightly
higher than last year.
The new estimates of the county. the
school district and the city are but lit
tie changed from those of year ago.
All of them, however, show slight in
creases in the sums to be raised. but
IN some instances these increases are
offset by slightly increased valuations.
The county commissioners propose a
-4-mlll general road and bridge lew
as against 80 mills last year. Each
of the commissioners has advertised
a 5-mlll road levy in his respective dis
trict. Last year Mr.. Bash's district had
a levy of 5 mills, Mr.. Houston's a
levy OF 4.3 and Mr.. Pratt's a levy of
4.2 The proposed levy means an in
crease of 1.6 mills in the road tax in
this end of the county. In view of the
urgent need for better roads in many
parts of the district no serious OBJ
Jectlons are expected, provided the
residents in the different neighbor-
hoods are satisfied that they are to
receive their proportionate share of
the road money. A considerable por-
ton Of the general road and bridge
fund will be used for purchasing mod
ern equipment for road building pur-
poses. If this is done the commissions |
ers believe they will be able to make |
a much better showing per dollar .ex-
pended than in former years.
The school district budget calls for
raising by direct tax s19,ss5, an in
crease of $1492 over last year. The
tax rate, however, may not show any
Increase because of a small increase in
the districts valuation. The estimat-
ed cost of operating the schools and
maintaining the school plant next year
is $33,681.19, an increase of 1862 over
last year. The increase or decrease
IN the several items of the budget are
as follows: General control-clerk's
superintendent's salaries, etc., in
crease, $274, due to an increased cost
OF supplies and not to an increase of
salaries; instruction. school supplies,
teachers salaries, ETC., decrease, s44; ]
operation of school plant - janitor,
light, water, etc., Increase S325.72:l
maintenance of school plant nt-repairs,
insurance, etc., increase STOP, due,
argely to renewal of 3-year insurance
auxiliary agencies - trans
increase, $4O5. t.
The city's budget is almost a du-
9llcation of last years. The only q
mango being an increase of $3.50 for
treet Improvement and maintenance.
ms Item being increased from $500 = :,
Q 1850. Last years tax rate of 17.6 =
nils to cover current expense and in =
ebtedncss, may be trimmed some as II
county Assessor Wheaton estimates =
ne clty,s valuation at $854, 1000 as
galnst sS47,0 last year. n n
Inc commissioners of the Port of =
Aennewlck estimate their annaul ex- %
enses at less than half the amount es
aised by taxation last year. Their 81
otal budget for next year is $500, " "
nile last years tax amounted to ST. u
zI'zo. The port district levy will be
My small fraction of mill.
mo information is obtainable as to ie
le state tax levy, but it is thought oe
Will be about the same as he last u
1th substantial increase for the re
ilitary. Oh