Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-08-12
ENTTAXRATE
FOR COUNTY TO
BE MAINTAINED
70 Increase in Tax Rate Made
Necessary by Special Road
Bond Issue and Tick Erad-
ication Work in Cameron.

The county tax rate will not be in
creased in Cameron county this year
The old rate Of SO cents on the SiOO
valuation will be maintained des pite
the fact that last year Cameron coun-
~ voted s350.000 in special road
bonds, and has issued $4,000 in tick
eradication warrants. Announcement
OF this decision of the Cameron coun-
stv commissioners court was made
Friday night, after the court had
practically completed its work as n
scoun;y board Of equalization. The
court has not yet adjourned as a
board Of equalization, there still being
N few minor matters TO come before
sit, and il will be some time before the
complete values of the county are tab
ulated. but the equalization work has
progressed TO the point where the
board felt at liberty 10 make the an
rounccmert that there will be no in
crease in the county's tax rate.
Several weeks ago the announce
ment was made that the tax rate would
in all probability be increased 6 or &
cents 70 take care Of the special bond
issue and tick eradication warrants,
hut the commissioners announce that
exercising the utmost economy it will
be possible 10 raise sufficient revenue
on the old rate to meet all expenses
and take care of the interest and sink
ing funds. and Cameron county will
continue to have the lowest tax rate
for county purposes Of any county in
South Texas.
. There has been an increase in valua-
tions Of about 81 100000 in the past
year. the 1923 valuations. which have
not yet been fully compiled. being ap-
proximatoly S25. 5.O00 ,000. whereas the
1922 valuations were about S23,500.010
memb, rs Of the board state.
Praises Work or Auditors and
Assessors' Office
\ In commenting upon the work Of
board OF equalization and the coopera-
lion which has been extended hy the
county auditors department. Judge
Dancy said: Too much praise can
not he given Messrs. WBryan and Tenn
petoH f5r their efficient work in
gaths ring data for the board of cquau-
zation. Their work was so nearly per-
feet that they have had 10 take spe-
cial vote in only four eases. and their
valuations were sustained in each o
these instances. Two Of these .csses
involved owners who are holding large
tracts for speculative purposes. Though
valuations along the paved highway
were almost doubled by the board. in
only one instance was IL necessary for
the board to take a special vote. and
In this case the owner Of the tract i'm
volved lived in county where there
are no paved roads: otherwise | be-
licvc he would have acquicsced in the
valuation.
almost without exception. property
owners along the paved highway have
accepted the increase in valuation
without protest. In many instances
the owners themselves announced that
the highway had douoIcd the value Of
their property and that the increase in
IN. valuation was a mere fraction Of
the amount they would save annual
~ through having easy access TO mar
kcts.
Can Get Along on Old Rate
"The court has decided To Get
along on the present rate Of Sc cents
on the 800 valuation" Judge Dancy
continued This means that the
court must demand and receive full CO.
operation from al county Officials. and
that we may have to reject many aP-
plicatioAs for funds where we would
CONTINUED on mage 3D.