The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1923-08-30
EQUAL1zING LAND DOWNWARD

!, EQUALIZING LAND DOWNWARD
i The equalized valuation of land
In Idaho on which the farmer pay
taxes is more than 100000 les
than it was in 1922, it was an
j nounced by Idahos state board o
equalization, which closed a tw,
weeks session Saturday.
Part in this decrease was made b.
the board, the members say, and The
remainder was brought about by thu
work of the county assessors and the
county boards of equalization.
Accurate figures on the states val
uation for this year will not be
available for several days, members
of the board announced, but brief
summary of the work for this year
shows that the equalized valuation
of all property in the state for 1928
has been decreased approximately
$1,250.0OO. A further decrease of
$4,000 on public utility property
is to be added to this, making a total
reduction in the valuation of all real
property in the state of approx
mately $1,600,000.
Last year the state had a valuation
of $457, 5,5S6.7S. While accurate
figures are not yet available, the
valuation this year will be approxi-
mately s1,60O,O0O less than this
amount.
Farmers Benefit
Decreases by which the farmer
benefited were made by the board
on agricultural land, dry land and
milk cows. On these three items the
reductions amounted to $780,
4S7.30. From this amount, how
crease in the value of irrigated land
amounting to s1O,309,752.34. Part
of this increase is board action and
part was made by the county asses
sors themselves, by a Redistribution
of lands. The difference between
the gross decrease of more than ST.
100000 and the increase of more
than $4,000, 1000, is $6,S99,734.96,
or the amount of reduction that has
been made in land valuations on
which farmers pay taxes.
In contrast with the decrease made
on farm lands, the figures issued by
the board Saturday show an increase
of more than s1,600,000 in the valu-
alton of sawmills and lumber. Every
dollar of this increase was made by
the board, and is divided about
equally between the mills and lum-
Der. An increase of $4,000 was
made in the valuation of sawmills,
and 1851, 341.40 in the valuation Of
lumber in the sawmill yards.
Extensive Work
The work of this years board has
been more extensive and de-
allied than that of any other, mem
)ers think. More changes have been
made in property values this year
han at any previous meeting of any
,oard.
The majority of the members of
his years board are new, but D. f.
Banks, state treasurer, and e. G.
sallet, state auditor, who have been
members of previous boards, said
saturday that the work this year has
zen more detailed and will have a
ar-reaching effect.
The new members of the board are ,
Governor C. C. Moore, chairman; A. ,
l. Conner, attorney general, and F. t
|. Jeter, secretary of state. !
Mill Value Increased
Among the real property changes
lade by the board, one of the largest ;
as the increase made in the valua !.
ion of saw and planning mills in Koo-
snai county There are twenty mills :
f all sizes in the county, and the :
SCISSOR of the county placed value :
more than 100000 on them. The =
,ate board increased this figure 80 =
er cent. so that the valuation on :.
'hich taxes will be paid this year is y
pproximately $1,40O,000. :,
Increasing these mills was one of
lie hardest fought actions of the v
oard and the 80 per cent increase b
as comprise, with one member
skiing for an increase of 100 per a
snt and another trying to hold II d
own to SO per cent. n
In Ada county the board complied, il
part, with the request of the Boise ii
ayette Lumber company for a re- n
1ction, both on its Barber mill
.operty and the lumber in the mill F
lrds. Representatives of the COM G,
my asked the board for 25 per u
mt reduction on the Barber mill e.
'operty and 40 per cent reduction is
| the lumber in the yard. The d.
,ard cut the mill property 10 per Il
mt and the lumber 80 per cent. The F
ills valuation is now $263,067 and 81
e lumber 100000. st
In Twin Falls county, which re- re
,rted a reduction of more than
100000 under last years equali- OF
ed value, the board made but one So
ange-a reduction of 10 per cent w
the valuation of mules. m
Mules Receive Attention
The board found that mules were 81 81
sessed too low all over the state ~
d next to saw and planning mills ~ ~
ese animals received the largest ~ "
ange in their valuation. ~,
In Canyon county they were in -
eased 80 per cent; in Gem county
per cent lin Payette county so
r cent; in Washington county 10
r cent, and in Valley county 20
r oouf MuIpc Wpro occoccod nv Wy