The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-09-02
HUGE DEFICIT
ISFEARED IN
COUNTY FUNDS
Chamber of Commerce
Group Warns That 1880
Budget Is Off Balance.
DRASTIC CUT URGED
Halt Asked on All Salary
Boosts and Increases
of Personnel.

Assertions that the 1880 county
budget is out Of balance and will
result in tremendous deficits were
made today in the Chamber of
Commerce civic affairs committee
report to county officials.
The statements we're made on the
eve of consideration of the 1880 bud
get and the new 53-cent tax levy
by the county council Tuesday and
were approved by tax committees of
the indianapolis Real Estate Board
and the Indianapolis Federation Of
Community Civic Club. The state
ment was made by William H. Book,
secretary Of the chambers civic
committee.
Recommendations contained in
the report are:
Slices of from az cents to cents
in county funds. reducing the So
cent total to 1878 cents.
Abandonment of the plan to es-
tablish a working balance in the
1880 levy.
Want Two Years Time
Retirement of deficits over a two
year period rather than trying TO
clean up the debts in one years levy.
Arbitrary halt in asking additional
appropriations.
Halt in all salary increases and
personnel expansion.
The report stated that if the
proposed 1880 appropriations are
made the county deficit will total
$205, 900 at the close of the year. ex-
elusive of $1,000 owed the state by
the county for care of county In
mates in state institutions.
In reference to establishing work
ing balances, the chambers report
stated; "In such a. situation 1890
is not a. year in which to create
working balances. and it is suggested
that budget saving, if any. be re-
tanned until a working balance is
accumulated
NllRuG f1uIG puSIuCSS
ITO build up working balances in
one year practically means levying
eighteen months taxes in one year.
This, in addition to being burden
some, would be a deterrent to busi-
ness and industry, which might have
serious effect on the community S
commercial development.
Such action also might, in time,
by diminishing property assess
ments, defeat it's own purpose in re-
quiring further increases in the
rate."<
The report also pointed out that
the county could be operated as well
If the proposed county fund rate
of q cents be sliced to 21.25 cents,
the sinking rate from II cents TO
1875 cents, the tuberculosis rate
from 4 cents to 2.5 cents and the
free gravel road rate from cents
to 2.5 cents.
Robinson Hit Hard
County Treasurer Clyde Robin
son, who is asking a $20,500 ap-
preparation for additional employees,
was hard hit In the statement when
chamber officials suggested that he
pare his proposal down to one-half
and accept $l0,5oo for the purpose,
or drop it entirely.
A reduction of $4,000 in the 1880
election appropriation also was
pointed to as one way to keep the
tax rate down, in the report. Since
the last election, which cost $92, ,673
the number Of county precincts has
been increased by sixty and the new
appropriation is $130,80o.
This, the report said, is not neces-
sary and an allowance of $l95 for
for each precinct would su1hce.
Opposition to the free gravel road
fund was voiced in the statement
when chamber Officials pointed out
that the increased county property
assessment and a probable 10 pei
cent boost in the gasoline tax in
come void provide about $4,000 ad-
iitiona1 revenue.