The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-09-01
CITIZENS have RIGHT
TO PROTEST AGAINST
new CITY TAX LEVY

Should Richmond taxpayers desire
to contest the action OF the city coun-
ell last Monday night in authorizing
a 23-cent increase in the municipal
tax levy for 1921. from 67 cents to 80
cents, they have the right, under
law passed by the legislature at its
recent special session, to appeal the
city councils action to the county
council.
The new law has been studied with
considerable interest by city officials
City Controller Bescher states, how
ever, that up to this time no taxpay-
ers have entered a protest against the
increase in the city tax rate.
City Needs Revenue
Mr. Bescher states that notwith-
standing the considerable increase
made in the tax rate the city council
was warranted in the action 1t took
because the new rate will provide a
revenue for the city in 1921 barely
sufficient to meet fixed charges and
operating expenses.
Under the new tax law any number
of citizens, not less than twenty, who
are taxpayers, have the right OF ap-
pealing the action Of local taxing Of
ficials to the county council. The
law reads:
Text Of Law
"Any number of taxpayers, not less
than twenty OF any municipal cor
poration. and who are affected by such
levies and who may be affected by
such levies and who may be of the
opinion that the total tax levy Of any
item thereof as established by the
proper legal officers of such NUM-
cipal corporation and certified to the
state board of tax commissioners is
insufficient to yield the revenue nee
essary to meet the requirements of
such municipality. or that more reve-
nue. will be raised by the tax levy as
established than the requirements of
the government, economically admin
istered, warrant, may file a petition
with the county auditor of the county
in which such municipal corporation
is located, not later than the first day
of October, setting forth a showing,
in such form and detail as the state
board of tax commissioners may pre-
scribe and require that a necessity ex-
lists for an increase or decrease in the
total tax levy. or any item thereof, as
the case may be.
Upon the filing Of such petition,
such county council shall have power
to order an increase or decrease in the
total tax levy or any item thereof of
any municipal corporation upon a
proper showing and upon the submis
sion of sufficient evidence, upon hear
ing, showing that such increase or re-
duction is warranted, aud such hear
ing shall be held by such county coun'
Gil in the court house Of the county
in which such municipal corporation
is located"
1t is further provided that where a
petition is filed by the taxpayers de-
manding a reduction or increase in
tax rate the county auditor shall give
ten days notice, and on October 10th
members Of the council shall convene
to hear such petitions.
The county council has final Jur1s
diction in the matter and may sum
mon witnesses to give testimony in
appeal cases. The same power fol
Furnishing those who fail to regard
subpoena service as held by Circuit
courts, is vested in the council
Special compensation of IS a day
while sitting in session shall be paid
to each member of the body.