Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1922-01-19
(Comrnunicated.)


selves to the levy made by the Coun-
ty Board, and those made by the sew
eral subdivisions of the county, which
are the school districts, townships,
cities and villages. In comparing the
same for number of years we find
that the percentage of increase has
been the lowest in the County levies
and the greatest in the School Dist
riot levies. We wish to call your at
tention to the fact that the School
Districts levied in the year 1910, $42,-
100000 in round figures and this in
! creased until in 1921 it amounted to
$182, 100000. This figure does NOT ice.:.
resent what they needed but the ap-
proximate amount as extended on the
tax lists. Some of the districts, for
example, Winchester School District
needed $24,O00.00 and the limit
amounted to about $17,O0O.O0 and
that amount was all that could be ex-
tended on the tax lists. To the total
levy made by. the School Districts
must be added some of the levies
made by the county board which, adj
ded to the amount received from the
State has averaged about 100000
per year for number of years. This
will bring the amount for schools in
the county for 1921, we'll over $780,
600. Now we want good schools, don't
we? Can the school districts de-
crease their levy and operate? Can
the County Board, Township Boards
City and Village Boards lower their
levies enough to makes noticeable
difference in the amount CT the tax
you pay?
! A matter which we find greatly mis-
represented has been the hiring by
the Board of County Supt. of High
ways and County Agent. Some
seem to think that if these officials
were removed, the tax problem would
be solved. Such would net be the
case. The records show that the
1 County Supt. of Highways has cost
the county $15s9.O9 from April 9Th
to Dec. 31st, 1921. The records also
show that the average yearly cost,
to the county fer the services of the
County Agent, amount to $15O6.OO.
Both of these officials get the larger
portion of their pay from the Nation
i al and State funds. The cost of both
Of the officials to the county amounts
to approximately 60 cents out of ev-
cry $4,000 paid in taxes. So strict
~ from financial point Of view, if
we dispensed with the services Of the
Co. Supt. Of Highways and the Co.
Agent, would we decrease our taxes
t any noticeable degree? And, it
must be remembered, that with both
of these officials, there is a, set Ma
tional and State appropriation which
we help support. Providing we do
not wish the services of these two
officials for the extra amount it is
costing, the fact remains that we are
helping support those in the other
counties just the same. We believe
in economy and will cut any unnec-
essary expense, but we cannot see
where our taxes can be decreased to
any noticeable extent without cutting
on necessary funds.
From reliable information as to-
the action taken by other counties in
the state we find that they are I'M;
able to cut their tax leyies. Some
counties that have run behind in their
road funds, are curtailing the work
for a year or two, which does not,
mean that they are cutting the levies;
but simply waiting until they catch
up in that particular fund. They
levy the limit just the same. Other
counties are bonding to cover OUT.
standing warrants and to continue.
with their work.
We are your servants and we are.
earnestly trying to do our best. It
ii an easy matter to criticizs and NE
cheerfully invite constructive criti-
cism, but we find it . very hard mat
ter to remedy q condition, like the
present one, to the satisfaction Of
all. A.s.si III,
We hope the above information win
shed some light upon some of the.
most common criticisms.
Respectf fully submitted,
4: sP. Ice s.
=. ConvilIe 81
~ X Frank Goughnour
I. du Heanme
Jacob Schall
ohmissi oners.
g. g y nes. =. = C.
What 49, the excitement down the
fls