The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-02-03
ARDMORE TAX RATE
EXCESSIVE, STATES
JUDGE Il. c. POTTERF
AT LIONS MEETING


That the rate of taxation in Ares
more Is higher than in any other
place he had ever heard of was the
statement made by Judge IL. G. Pot
teri in an address. on Taxation"
which he delivered before the members
and guests OF the Lions club during
the. noon day lunch today. Mr.. Potterf
explained that the rate ut Enid is
49.4 mills. while the rate at Ardmofe
Is 1872 mills, but the valuation of pro-
perty AT Enid is more than 80 per
cent less than ut Ardmore. In all
other cities he stated, valuation as
well as the rates are lower thai at
Ardmore.
Mr.. Potterf stated that it was his
desire to bring before the members Of
the organization the important matter
which confronted them in respect to
new tax legislation. and that deep
thought and study should be given the
matter. When the constitution Of the
state of Oklahoma was adopted he
said. there was q limit placed on the
amount Of taxation on the people.
This limit was 31.5 mills. However,
there We're also several provisions in
cluded in the constitution which per-
United Il greater rate to be charged
on certain conditions anu under vari-
GUS circumstances. The rate In Ard
more at the present time is 4s.2 mills.
Property. he explained. is assessed
at the valuation which it would have
at fair and voluntary sale. This
does not mean any specific amount
which might be brought in an er,er-
gency sole and neither does it mean
one Of a flood of offers which might
Pile in from various bidders who are
anxious to acquire the property.
Some Of the provisions in the con-
stitutiOn which have permitted mu-
inequalities to raise their rates above
3l.5 mills are that school districts
may add one per cent, provided that
he people vote accordingly. This
raise is sanctioned so as to perm, in
creased teachers salaries. etc
Also the matter OF paying county
ana other debts by means of judg-
ments and issuing funding bonds tc,
take care OF these judgments.
The city may also engage in any
sort OF hlsiness, such as street car
i'pe, telephone service, OF any other
which might appear TO be Of benefit
10 the city.
Mr.. Potterf explained that at Nc
Ales,er the county assessor had
committee Of citizens cooperate with
him to assess the values u the prop
critics in his territory. County AS
SCISSOR Spears Of Carter county, he
stated, considered the matter of prop
erty valuation as between the property
owner and the assessor.
The speaker explained in very
feasible manner the present tax situn-
ton and his remarks were accepted
with great interest by the members Of
the audience.
About dozen prominent guests
were present at the meeting. d. A.
Corcoran, accompanied on the piano
by Miss Noble. rendered O pleasing
vocal selection
Mrs Arthur &. Walcott, represent
ing the Civic League of Ardmore. was
present at the meeting and gave
very interesting talk concerning the
past activities OF the league and its
Intentions In the future. Among the
movements advocated by
the league, she explained, was the
planting Of more memorial trees. the
placing of better lighting systems at
various points about the city and other
important matters.
Reports were received from the
chairmen OF the various committees
prior 10 adjournment.
At the. next meeting. which will
be conducted on Thursday. February
10, Dr. Ashley Chappell will deliver
an address on "'rhc Great stone
Face" by Hawthorne.