Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-11-26
Now Get Ready to Dig Down Deep
PICKINGS FROM COUNTY BOARD SESSION. STAG
GERING TAX BUDGET-TABLES SHOWING THE
APPROPRIATIONS, EQUALIZATION AND
THE TAX APPORTIONMENT

The county board ended its session
on Friday morning in season to get
the outgoing trains. lessening the
usual time by one day. 1t was a very
harmonious gathering, and but for the
great appropriations and enormous
tax levy the session differed little
from most gatherings. Thirty years
ago, when the editor of the Censor
was a member of the board, the total
appropriations did not exceed $500
Whew!! Look at them nowil They
go to quite a half million of dollars
So people may just take notice that
they must prepare to dig deep for tax
time money. Last year the total APP
preparations were 1869 .4S3SS, now in
exact figures $49l ,52S.S3. OF this
roads and bridges secure the UMPIRE
cedented sum of $195, 69761, or al
most double the amount levied for like
purposes last session. The other big
levy is for soldiers bonus, or $780,
95660.
The board would probably have vot-
ed bonds to meet the latter amount
had it been thought legally safe to
do so. To the district attorney the
states attorney general gave an oral
opinion that it might not be safe to
do so. 1t could have been accomp-
lished at a special session, as sug-
gested by the Censor, at an earlier
day. When it was ascertained that
bonding would not be safe at the regu-
lar session, an attempt was made to
avert a portion of the heavy budget
by bonding for portion of the road
levy. Mr.. Goodell moved in that di-
rection in a motion to issue SIS 900
road bonds, payable i'll five years On
this proposition he was seconded by
nine members, Messrs. Curt, Healy,
Harris, Hayden, Earl, Joseph, Mar
shall, Dorner and Hamilton.
There are some things in the big
levy that probably might have been
postponed without detriment, but it
seems difficult to draw the line when
public business is under consideration.
County Treasurer Belland's report
shows that he handled over a half
million of public funds the past year,
paying out $42t, 70283, and had on
hand when he closed his books No
vember first, S106,392.50.
A new Office was created, that of
superintendent of maintenance" to
look after the country road patrolmen,
and to be invested with police powers.
He is to be appointed by the county
highway committee. The number of
patrolmen is to be increased consid-
erably over last year. Doubles
there will be plenty of candidates for
this snap of riding about the county
in a public automobile.
,,,. co nnn 49,. 4; b. - -.
structed at the county asylum, and
81 900 was appropriated for an isola-
ton cottage at the aims house. For
court house repairs, furniture and fix
lures $4,000 was provided
A slight increase in salaries Of
county officials was determined for the
incoming officers on January first,
1921, as follows Register of deeds
from 81 200 to 81 500, and increase
in clerk hire from $500 to 5000. Coun-
ty Clerk 81 200, 5000 clerk hire. Coun-
ty Treasurer Sl,700, 500 increase.
Clerk of Court 81 200, clerk hire Of
SO per day during court. Highway
commissioner $500. County Super
intendent 81 500 and expenses. Dis
trict Attorney $1,000 and 5000 for
stenographer.
Register Paulsen reported to the
board that he had in ten months turn
ed into the treasury fees of 81 1889. 7S,
as against 81 ,248.05 for the year 1918.
He showed that he had paid for clerk
hire in the ten months 1861 more than
he received from the county for the
work; that it left him for his personal
salary for the period only $460.75.
He appealed to the board for assist
ance in clerk hire, but the body judged
that would be increasing his salary in
in indirect way, contrary to low.
Up to date the discharges of 487
soldiers have been filed and recorded
in the Office Of register of deeds. No
fee is charged the soldier, the county
paying the register for the service.
County soldiers relief commission,
in its annual report, shows that 81
0076 SO was paid to needy soldiers and
their families or widows last year. A
balance of $711.53 is on hand. The
board appropriated $500 for the
needs of that department ensuing
year
The mothers pension fund was
overdrawn nearly S 600, amount APP