The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-05-23
TAXES TO INCREASE IN
CARROLL.
IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS And new
SCHOOL BUILDINGS THE CAUSE, BOTH
BEING NECESSARY.

BEING NECESSARY.
It should be of interest to every
citizen OF Carroll county to know
what has been done and what the fu-
ture demands are likely to be upon
the tax funds of this county.
In these days of development and
there are new demands
made each day for better conditions.
One Of the most important, and great
est demand, is for better schools and
better school conditions. The County
Board OF Education has just present
ed it's budget to the County Commits
sioners for acceptance, which calls for
the expenditure of about $197 100000,
i'm addition to the amount allotted
by the State, Of about $50, 100000, max
ing total expenditure of about
$250,000.00 for the coming year for
Public School purposes of this coun-
ty. The Public School Board il not
solely responsible for the increase,
as the school buildings throughout the
county have deprecated for lack of
proper repairs, upkeep and improve
ments, and at the same time, the
State Board Of Health, is demanding
great improvements in the way of
proper sanitary conditions, as we'll as
additional space to take care of the
increase of schools.
1t is the sincere desire of the Coun-
ty Commissioners to do all within
their power for the development OF
the school systems of this county
but to accept the budget for the full
amount of the $197, 100000, would i'm
pose too great an additional tax upon
the tax payers when we have other
demands which are equally as i'm
portant from public stand point
Great pressure is being brought
from many parts of the county fol
improved roads, mostly from sections
that have not had any of these ad-
vantages, and some Of this work must
be done, as it is only fair that the
rural districts should have better
road conditions, as they are paying
goodly part of the taxes.
! Last year there we're only cents
on the $10O set aside from the take!
for large bridges and improved roads
and this amount istinadequate to NEE
a few of the most important demands
The tax rate OF 1913 for all count!
purposes, was, 50 cents on the hun
dred dollars allotted as follows:
Taxes of 50 cents on the hundret
dollars. @
SCHOOLS .--.r... ....- ...-s, t-fV
Court and magistrates .0S
County Home ................... .0S
Large bridges and improved
roads .OS
Small bridges and county roads 10
Election and registration ..... ..03
Health board 90
! Miscellaneous .03
i But a number of the items did no
require the full allotment, whil
others required additional. Tn
school fund was allotted an additiona
amount Of $50, 10000, for school build
ings and equipment, which brough
the actual expenditure for all scnoo
purposes to about 50 cents on tn
hundred dollars, or So per cent. o
/ the total taxes collected under 1911
levy for county purposes, and il
addition the allotment made and pai(
out of the State taxes by the State t.
\ Carroll county's school fund. Now il
order to accept and allow the neces
sary increase in the School bulge
for 1919, it will necessitate an in
crease in the tax rate for 1919. An(
at the same time we must consider
the other necessary public develop
ments and improvements along Othel
lines, and one of the most important
of these is our bridges and public
roads. On account of the great de.
mand by the public, we have decided
to do a certain amount of the most
important construction work each
year, but it is the sincere desire oi
the County Commissioners not to dc
too much any one year, so that it will
impose too great burden on the tax
payers, but we hope and believe the
plan mapped out for these improve
ments, il fair and will be for the best
interest of the county, but bear in
mind that all this work cannot be
done at once as we do not wish to
increase the taxes too much for this
purpose.
The Government and the country at
large are making efforts toward bet
ter rural conditions, which means i'm
proved schools and highways, and
Carroll county wishes to do her part
without putting too great a burden on
her people.
Possibly we do not appreciate Car
roll county for what it really j., one
OF the best and most productive, as well
as the wealthiest per capita Of any
county in this country, we also wish
to call attention to our county's past
management and development and not
forgetting that we have enjoyed com
paratively low tax rates.
We, as County Commissioners of
Carroll county, want the public to
know what developments are taking
place, and assuring the public that
we wish to use every effort toward
economy and endeavor to get full
value for all expenditure.
ID. II. STANSBURY,