Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1931-07-23
TAX TALK
Edgar |. Syverud
Secretary-Treasurer
Sheridan County Taxpayers Assn.


There has been inquiries as to the
writer and the purpose Of these tax
Talks and for the information of those
who missed the Introductory article
the writer wishes to make it plain
once more and without any selfish,
personal, or political intent, that these
articles were for the information OF
the members of our Taxpayers Asso-
citation and those other taxpayers or
citizens interested in our County gov
eminent. These talks designed
for the sole purpose therefore OF in
~teresting and directing u attentions
on the subject of our local taxation
problems and thereby securing a
closer cooperation of all in a matter
that concerns us all to a very grett
extent. 1T is AN EFFORT IN JUST
ANOTHER WAY TO GET THE TAX
PAYERS TO THINKING AND TO
ACTING.
While the views and suggestions
expressed are primarily those of the
writer, sometimes the name has been
omitted in the papers) and while
there has been no formal sanction OF
them by the Association, yet they
have been approved by the officers
and many members as we'll as tax
payers outside the organization. If
there has been any suggestion of
propaganda it can safely be said that
it was in the intrests of the Associa-
ton and the taxpayers. One object,
lately, of the writer has been to
center the attentions on the setting
Of our various Budgets, and here it Is
felt is THE ONE PLACE where the
efforts and influences of the taxpay-
ers in general can and will be most
effective.
A few weeks ago special attention
was called several times to the mat
ter of the District School Budgets
where a most substantial saving
could be made-and some results were
effected that are known. Now, at the
present time the County Budgets are
being considered. Efforts have been
made personally and thru the Asso-
citation to have these Budgets some
what reduced, but in the face Of ev-
erything it looks like a so to rs per-
cent increase in the total levies which
is something to be seriously consid-
cred in these times.
In considering the new Budgets,
which will shortly be published, it
must be kept in mind that the prop
erty valuations will be a little high
err in order to raise the same amount
of money. However, there will be &C
tual and substantial increases, such
for instances as the Poor Fund which
has been heavily drawn on and will
be called on further for no one
knows how much. The High School
levy will likely be raised eight
mills as a result of the new law, and
the Bond Sinking and Interest Funds
may have to be greatly increased to
make up for the cut last year. The
various other Budgets nearly all
show increases, altho a few show a
cut.
Therefore, it is in the interests OF
the taxpayers to have these various
matters brought up for attention and
to interest everyone in the affairs OF
their local government. While 1t is
not the purpose of the writer or the
Association to know anyone or to I'M
duly boost them, yet to the deserving
conscientious official is due every
thing that's coming to him. 1t is to
the advantage of the taxpayer and
the citizen in general to look into and
take an active part in these matters
and not leave it to just a few.