Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-07-11
STATE TAXES RAISED
Two AND HALF MILLS
War Appropriation and New Build
ings for Institutions Cause Of
Greater Outlay.
TAX LEVY WILL BE
AROUND SEVEN MILLS
The $1,OOO,OOO War Appropriation
Is the Biggest Item Increasing
the Cost Of Running
the State.

Des Moines, Iowa. July 9.-The
state executive council began it's work
as a board of review today to consid-
er the valuations of the property of
the state for taxation purposes. AS
is the usual custom the council will
first pass on the properties of the
railroads, express, telephone and
telegraph companies and similar pub
lie utilities. These corporations get
their reports in early, whereas the
valuations from the counties sent in
by county auditors are usually de-
layed.
Although the counties not getting
in their reports by July l are sub
ject to fine, there were still five
counties out Saturday. After decid-
ing on the valuations to be fixed for
the railroad and other public utili-
ties properties the state council will
take up the reports of the county
auditors and consider the values re-
ported on land, city property, live
stock, personal property, monies and
credits and all other property which
is subject to assessment.
1t is generally recognized that the
state taxes will have to be raised
about two and half mills this year
in order to meet the appropriations
authorized will therefore be around.
seven mills for state purposes, as
against 4.33 mills, the levy for the
last biennial period.
In the present biennial period,
starting July of this year and end
ing June 30, 1919, the state must
raise 100000 by direct taxes. In
addition to this it is anticipated that
some $7,O00,oO0 will come in thru
fees.
In the last biennial period, end
ing June 80 of this year, the state
raised $S,000,000 by direct taxation.
The last legislature authorized ap-
preparations amounting to $1,000
600 the first year OF the present BIZ
ennial period and $6,00O,0O0 the Sec
ond year. To produce this amount
on the present valuations of Iowa
property will require levy of about
seven mills.
The biggest increase in the cost of
running the state during the next two
years as compared to the biennial
period just closed is the $1,000, 900
war appropriation.
Since July 1, when the Iowa Ma
tiolal guard recruits were called out
for training at the home camps the
state has been expanding about &c.,
900 day for the pay and mainten-
ance Of these men. This expenditure
will be continued until the men are
mustered. into service. 1t is expect
ed, however, that the government
eventually will repay this to the
state. This expenditure comes out
of the $1,O0O,0O0 war fund.
Some 100000 in all was appro-
priated by the last legislature for new
buildings at the state educational
institutions under the board of con-
troll. The maintenance per capita
for the wards of the state now in tn
situations, numbering about 10000
was increased 81 per capita more
than the last biennial period. Main
tenance of the state schools was al
SO increased. These, therefore, show
some Of the expenditures which go to
swell the total considerably above
that of the two years just closed.
The 100000 in fees which will
come into the state during the next
two years, estimated from those re-
ceiyed during the biennium just clos
led, will make the total income for
the period ending June so, 1919,
$20.000,000. The automobile fees
I'm the last year, ending June 80, 1917
totaled $2,069,1S3. Ninety per cent
of this money, however, goes right
back to the counties. The state high
way commission gets five per cent
and the automobile department is
maintained by the other five per
cent. The collateral inheritance tax
this past year, ending June 80,
amounted to 100000. Fees from
the Insurance department, $103,77O.
From the secretary of states office.
S119.073; from the dairy commits
sioner's office, $59,o63. The hunters
license money totaled $94,041. These
are few of the larger sums paid
in fees or licenses in year.