Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-06-18
AN OBJECT LESSON IN TAXES

While the Americas city administration is perspr-
ing to make ends meet and at the same time try to
bring the city of the hole of debt into which it has
fallen because of insufficient revenue to meet the cur
rent demands the prosperous neghboring city of Dub
lin has found remedy for municipal ills of our type
which the Times-Recorder herewith presents for The
informative of the public in general and as food
for thought the part of those who realize that
thing must be done sooner later to alter situation
that crampng and retardng the growth and progress
OF Americas.
Dublin is smaller city than Americas; in the last
census her population was than 1000 less than
And believes Dublins property values are
equal to those of Americas YET whereas Americas city
property returned last year for taxation at $4,000
900, Dubn's returned at $4,955, O0O This year
Dubln's city property assessed at 444 600; our
returns for 1919 have not been completed but it is
safe to say that the will be far below that of
Dublins
Here is the story of how Dublin did it. 1t is worth
while giving thought The reproduction is from the
Dublin urier-Herald of a short while ago:
Dublins tax returns this year amount to
than six million dollars, showing increase over
last year of $1,4S82O These figures have just
been given out by Clerk of Council Graham follow
ing the consolidation of the returns on the digest
On the books for 1918, there listed $4,-
955,991 worth of property including all returns.
This year all returns show total of $6,444197
The ctys revenue from ad valorem taxes this year
will amount to $80,371.70, against total advalol I'm
tax collections in 1918 of SCI $40 49, an increase of
$18,43182.
This means that the city will have ample funds
topay all bills this year. when the other which
not classed with the ad valorem are collected
Last year, at May 1, the city owed total of $40-
600. This year it does not cent and will have
money enough to for the next fiscal year.
This increase in returns was brought about by
listing much personal property that has, in many
cases not been returned for taxtion previously and
also by raises on realty There has also been some
new property added, WE'LL the total running up
to much more than expected beforehand.
go Here is tabulated statement of the returns
this year, and the returns last year:
1919 RETURNS.
Realty, colored -------.----.-.----- 233 $500
O,l0
Personally, colored ..-... 156,8720O
TOTAL 444,197.O0
1918 RETURNS
Realty, whites 50 34O,275.0O
Realty, colored ....-...----.......... 1s2,555.00
Personally, whites --.--..-....-...... 2334,17l0G
Personally, colored 98,93i.0o
1O4AL 3 4,3o2,3 3lOu
Reference to the above figures will show that
the heaviest increase this year on personally
4 which included household furniture money, notes,
and accounts, mortgages, and forth. On white
personally the increase was $797929, while on
white real estate the values were more this year by
$681O46. Increases in colored personally and really
were respectively, $57,661, and $51 $3.50.
This year the three tax assessors, Messrs. D. L.
Emerson, T. A. Curry, and Geo. L. King were paid
$500 each to go over the returns and equaize the
values of both realty and personally The city
sidered the matter from business standpoint and