The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-07-22
CITY TO TAKE
ACTION T0GET
UNPAID TAXES
Matter Is Discussed at Reg.
ular Weekly Meeting of
the City Commission
MAY APPOINT MAN
Commissioner Hensler An
nOunces Intention of Leav-
ing City on Long Trip

The city commission, in meeting
last night, adopted motion of
Finance Commissioner Larson that
the city assessor be requested to
furnish the commission with a list
OF personal property taxes unpaid
since 1916. The motion produced
discussion among the commits sioners
with respect to the tax situation.
Considerable personal property
tax, chiefly small amounts, has not
been paid, it was said. The COM
missioners, in preparing to make a
levy for the next year, are confront
ed by the necessity Of figuring the
amount of unpaid taxes. Should the
commission levy for the expenditu re S
on the basis of certain amount
of taxes, and part of the taxes be
not paid, the city is confronted with
deficit, the same holding true, of
course, with the county.
The commissioners, in their dis
cussion, held it was the duty of
the county treasurer to collect the
road poll tax, the most troublesome
one. The commissioners indicated
they would favor strong cooperation
between the county treasurer and tho
sheriff to collect such taxes. With
respect to the city road poll, it is
probable that man will be named
to collect this amount. Inquiry has
been made as to the authority OIL
the city to do this, and it is hello
that such appointments could be
made. The choice of paying the road
poll or working. it out" would be
given.
The commissioners expressed be
lief that considerable personal pro-
perty tax is uncollected because suf-
ficient pressure has not been
brought to bear upon those who
owe the tax. Commissioner Larson
said also some action must be taken
to force payment OF taxes on real
estate.
Insurance Up
The commission also had before
it the matter of renewing fire in
surance on the several city build
ings, much of it expiring soon. The
city has been carrying $4,000 on
the city hall, $4,000 on the city
auditorium, $4,000 on the library.
$500 on the detention home and
$4,000 on the scalehouse. This has
been old line insurance, placed on
the buildings five years ago, and the
new insurance will be in the state
fund.
1t is probable that tlle amounts
will be somewhat changed.
The commission ordered payment
of $3,5OO to DeGraff Wolff, contrac-
tor for the laying of mains in the
new city water system, retaining
81 900 pending the giving of Il main
tenance bond. Commissioner Thomp.
son insisted that the contractor be
paid promptly, but that he be re
CURED to give maintenance bond,
which he said the contractor could
obtain at small cost, to insure the
city against loss through possible
OF the bitches. This action
was decided upon.
Hensler Leaves
Commissioner Chris Hensler has
informed the commission of his IN
to- leave the city, probably
next week, for long trip. He is go
ing to the Pacific Coast by auto
and in the meantime has
closed up his tire repair business.
Mr.. Hensler may locate on the
Pacific Coast, or may return after
long vacation. He will not, he has
decided, resign from the city COM
mission. A successor is to be elected
next spring, and if he resigned now
the city would be put to the expense
Of another special election, he said.