The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-07-04
Information For Voters and
Taxpayers of Roosevelt Co.
"A Study In Economy

1t has been said that the county commissioners entered into
various contracts with Mr. Dwyer, an expert accountant, for the pr-
RouT 81 s gstenean ne ''0i's !"
Mr.. Dwyer was employed for the purpose of auditing all books
pertaining to delinquent taxes from Sheridan and Daniels county and
to install a modern bookkeeping system in the teasurers once n
'''e' VO1' A Common Method
This is not the first instance in the state where experts nave
been employed to check up Hp6 g0 %au unst teu~eS T The f ni%rTTg eon-
he was employed by Roosevelt county: Daniels a c;oa Mcoone' "lO"u'
Whose Duty
1t is the duty of the county treasurer of the mother county to
collect all of the taxes, penalties, and interest or pno yeaf, 10" thn
old and new counties, and forward the same to the county treasurer
of the new county its prorata portion. un
be due to ill feeling neglect, incompetence lack OF no"ledg o INT
misunderstanding seems to be the leading cause for the new
county not getting it's just share. Ignorant Of course OF the obhga,
tions relative to such trust funds, the county treasurer OF INT op
counties place and mingle this money with their own cunt funds
and frequently use for defraying their own obligations pr OF ne
funds belonging to the new counties
Questions arise relative to funds such as olow On ~n@ uate
does the operation of the law take effect? Should the old county
sate he old mr. for supplies used in making the collections, such
as time, printing and posting notices? Should the old county retain
' - 4e sinking fund to defray the old bonded DEBT? Should the
old county apply any of the interest and penalty to their Incorporated
towns? Who should take care of the states portion? Should refunds
made in the old county be deducted from the remittance! ,d IL :" NOW low
much and from what funds? Which county treasurer should apply
an cases n ahe IN trtd dmI e Which county is is the owner Of the property?
A hundred II more questions could be asked and how many can
the average layman answer correctly?
AS an individual receiving $144,19S.39 from a disnterested party
over a course of eleven years, involving seven or eight thousand ac
counts would you employ an ordinary figure head to check up your
income? Or would you just take it for granted that all is well, and
think what is the difference if you did lose twenty thousand dollars
more or less?
county division figures? Or would you check from some point wherein
you felt satisfied you had received a large remittance, and call the
rest of the figures all right and save the money by taxing a great
portion of it for granted?
What is the difference between doing such work halfheartedly
Or thoroughly by a man who has a statewide reputation for thor
oughness in accountancy and specializing for seventeen years in
this particular line or work? A man who devotes his entire time to
municipal and county government Suppose you sued for this money,
how thorough IN audit would be required before you could even start
yor aciopO NVoud law enforcement alone bring reSutS? Would
there be a chance of a slip through omission and lose five o ten
thousand dollars in the twinking Of an eye? Has such happened
in public Offices in our state? Yes, many, many times.
How Much of A Loss
How much do you suppose Roosevelt county would have lost
had this work not been done? AS a result of neglect are there any
counties in the state at a loss? Yes, at least ten. Approximately
how much is the larger deficient in their funds on account or
their indifference? 1t is estimated at forty thousand dollars.
A Matter Of Receipts
How much money did the treasurer of Roosevelt county receive
from Sheridan county since its organization? $14419999, How much
was received in May, 1925, a S a result of the six year period audited
in Sheridan county? $S,628.2S. How much collected at that time
and since that has been under strict audit? $2OO3992 Was this
Sheridan county without commission and included in other work in
Roosevelt county. who pays the travelling expenses in making all
the trips % and from Roosevelt and Sheridan counties for the auditor
and his assistants? Does Roosevelt county pay u! NO
Did Mr.. Dwyer audit these accounts in Sheridan county on ten
occasions covering eleven years period pay his own expenses and the
salaries of his assistants and their travelling expenses? He did.
Facts And Figures
The facts ar that from the period from February, 1923, to May,
1926, Roosevelt county received but S19O37, and as a result of the
audit did receive $8s623.2S, and have been receiving ever since their
just share of moneys not at any time before included in any OF the
remittances Of such funds IS sinking, penalties, interest and late
remittance of all funds of moneys collected in the Sheridan county
area for 1918 and prior taxes.
Think the above facts and figures over VIII you decide tn county
commissioners made a mistake in employing Mr.. Dw!er? We hardly
think you will.
Circulated and Paid for by Roosevelt County
Officers Club, Wolf Point.