The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1918-06-04
COUNTY BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS
AdjOurns After Busy Session Cow
ering Nearly Month. Sp;en-
did Showing Made

month of arduous labor, the County
Board of Supervisors has adjourn
ed. To comply with the demand of
the State Tax Commission a raise
of ten per cent will be necessary on
real estate and tangible personal
property, to increase the valuations
one million dollars.
The statement of the local board
members to the State Tax Commits
sion, is of public interest, and is as
follows:
mt. Sterling, KY, May 20, 1918.
Kentucky State Tax Commission,
Frankfort, Kentucky.
Gentlemen =
"Having finished our labors, we
beg to leave to submit for your con-
sideration the following facts:
"When we convened, we found
that the assessment for this county
was in very bad condition, due to
combination of circumstances. As
is known by the members of your
commission, the County Assessor,
Mr.. james T. Barnes, was stricken
with smallpox during the very time
he ought to have been performing
his duties and was confined to his
home for many weeks. This neces-
STATED his calling to his aid a num-
Der of friends to assist him in their
several communities. These men
were appointed Deputies; they had
little, if any previous experience
and little knowledge of the provi-
sions of the new tax laws. No two
of them worked upon the same bas-
is, in fact no system or plan seems
to have been followed. AS result
many inequitable assessments were
made and Irregularities in large
numbers were found by us. To
equalize one taxpayer with another,
we we're compelled to and did re-
duce many assessments as well as
raise many.
"In doing our work we have en-
deavored to do justice to every tax
payer and at the same time per-
form our duty. with fidelity to the
County and State.
"Our assessment as presented to
us was as follows:
The recapitulation as
shown by the Asses
sor's return (the ex-
emptions and intangi-
BILE personally having
been deducted) .........$ S,74l, l05
Total net increase less
ON Intangibleo .......... 170,3s5
Total on lands, townlots
and tangible .....-...,....,$ $500, 495
The assessment as finally com
pleted by us is as follows:
Grand total-recapitula-
ton .......--.......---....-........Sl ,2OS,O45
Grand net increase ........ 296,920
Grand total assessment $40, 505,574
"In your valued favor of April 4,
1918 you indicated that any short
age could be. covered by a fiat in
crease rather than summon every
taxpayer in the county before us.
"To bring our assessment up to
your requirements would necessi-
tate an increase of 10 per cent on
$500, 1890, which sum represents
the total assessment on lands, town
lots and tangible personal property,
which said increase would be in ac-
tual figures $l,071, 433.0O, including
the raise of $170,3S5.0O as put on
by the Board.
"In all due Difference and in view
Of the handsome increase already
shown in our assessment, as finally
passed upon by us, as compared
with last year, we are yet hopeful
that your Commission can psee its
way clear not to exact of us fur
Their increase.
However, if your action is final,
then we suggest that the required
increase be had by applying a fiat
Increase, as above mentioned.
With utmost respect, we are,
A. l.. Upton,
ROBT. HOWELL,
c. f.. DUFF,
j. +. RICHARDSON,
BEN w. HALL.
TH0S. n. CO0NS.
Members County Board of Sup |
eryisors of Montgomery County |
".N ~. s. s. ~
The Advocate for printing. |