San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-19
Result Will Determine Pos
sible Flood Proven
ton Plans.
TAX IS NOT RAISED
People Alone Can Increase
Rate by Voting
Bonds.

will be called upon to decide whether
they will adopt two. charter amend
ments submitted to them at special
election and by their vote will indi-
cate whether they are in favor of q
bond issue to carry out the city's flood
prevention program. Although neither
of the two amendments bear directly
on the proposed bond issue, the adop-
ton of one of them is essential if the
funds for flood prevention are to be
made available.
The first amendment provides for
the separation of the city and school
tax. Under the present charter pro-
vision the city and school tax is in
cluded in the city tax, thereby limiting
the latter. The charter provides that
the board of commissioners may levy
for general purposes not exceeding
$1.2J on 500 valuation and for spe-
cial purposes not exceeding SIPS. The
further provision is made, however,
that the special tax shall include all
taxes for the purposes of carrying. on
the city schools. The total tax rate
cannot exceed 1928.
General Rate Not Affected.
Under this provision of the charter,
an increase in the rae for school pur-
poses, necessarily means decrease in
the special city rate, thereby depriving
the city of means of raising funds for
interest and sinking fund on bonds.
Although this provision heretofore has
not worked any great hardship on the
city, should the taxpayers vote bond
issue for flood prevention, it might do
so. Another argument in favor of the
separation of the city and school tax
is that the city cannot figure on its
possible income uutil it knows how
much the San Antonio school board
will require for the maintenance of the
city schools.
Adoption of the amendment to sec
ton JOG of the city charter, will mean
an absolute separation of the city and
school tax. This will mean that the
city commission can levy taxes, with
out regard to the requirements of the
school board, although the limit of tax
alton of S2.25 on each $50 valuation
will remain as it is at present.
ne lHt
eral purposes to $1.25 Oh each 500
valuation. The city is now and has
for several years, levied the full $1.25
as this has been required for the opera
ton of the city government. The tax
for general purposes, therefore, even if
the charter amendment be adopted,
cannot be increased. The only advan-
tage the amendment will afford, will
be to allow an increase N the tax for
special purposes. II the amendment
be adopted, therefore, the city would
have margin of 81 for special pur-
poses. This 81 if used, plus the S1.25
now levied for general purposes, would
make a total city tax rate of S2.25.
People Alone Can Increase Tax.
Some propaganda tending to mislead
people into believing that the adop-
ton of this amend. tnt would author
ize the city commission to raise the
tax rate without consulting the tax
payers has been circulated lately. &C.
cording to the city officials. This,
however, is untrue.
The commission is limited to the
S1.25 for general purposes. All that
amount sufficient to take care Of the
interest and sinking fund on bonds.
Unless additional bonds are voted,
therefore, there can be no raise in the
special rate by the city commission.
In other words, only by votI of the
people, for instance the voting of a
bond issue for flood prevention or other
purposes, could the special tax rate
be raised. Therefore, even though the
amendment be adopted, the tax rate
will remain at its present level, unless
additional bonds are voted.
One Election to Save Expense.
The second amendment provides for
the elimination of TIE primary cleo
ton. This amendment was decided
upon after conference between Mayor
Tobin, the city commissioners and the
city attorney. All agreed that the
holding of primary election, costing
from $4,000 to $4,000 is a useless ex-
pense and is of no benefit either to the
voters or the candidates themselves.
Therefore. the mayor and commission.
ers included this amendment in the
special election, believing that it will
meet with no opposition whatsoever.
Whether the'two amendments will
carry is an open question. Due to the
which certain factions
have circulated, some believe that there
will be considerable opposition to the
first amendment. A very light vote, in
any event, is expected.
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