Imperial Valley press., 1931-08-20
CITY TAX
RATE TO
Be CUT
Council Adopts Reduction
OF Two Cents Making
Rate $1.73 Per 300.
ECONOMY REQUIRED
Elimination OF State St.
Crossing TO Cost About
$4,000.

Following closely on the heels OF
the action by the county board Of
supervisors in raising county taxes
on city property % cents on 500
assessed valuation, the e. Centro
city council last night came to the
relief of harassed Ell Centro tax
payers by reducing the city tax rate
from sl75 to sl73 on 500 assessed
valuation. cut Of two cents.
This leaves the taxpayer in Ell
Centre a 2l-cent raise in the COM
Lined total tax rae of city and
county, the raise deriving entirely
from county taxes. Prior to the
action of the city council the tax
payer here was faced by a 23-cent
raise, or raise in the tounfy tax
rate on city property from Sl.30 to
Sl.53
Reduction in the city tax rate will
necessitate rigid economy by va
rious city departments, courcillnen
decided last night. The possibility
OF requiring a monthly report of ex-
was discussed. City departments,
Dorsey Whitelaw, city attorney,
pointed out, are not bound to keep
within the budgets set for them,
since the city budgets serve merely
as a guide.
The lower tax rate was decided
upon only after much discussion
among councilmen. when the in
come for the coming year was COM
puted, possible expenditures figured,
and other matters taken into con-
sideration. II was finally decided
the new tax rate will net the city
sufficient funds to carry on city
business. unless some unforeseen
and unexpected emergency calls for
an exceptionally large expenditure.
Fred Gianola finally moved for
adoption OF a $l.73 city tax rate.
His motion was seconded by John
Rice, and passed unanimously.
Another matter OF prime impor-
ance to El CentranS was the cost of
the proposed State street crossing,
discussed last night for the first time
in the light OF division of the cost
between the city and the taxpayers.
Requires Bond Issue
II. w. Fawcett, chairman OF tEe
council, estimated the entire project
will cost $4,000 or less. Cf this
amount, the city will pay for i'm
provement work on the actual right
of-way across the Southern Pacific
tracks, this share of the expense
not TO exceed $4,000. The remain
der of the necessary amount will be
raised by l0-year bonds. The State
Street improvement association was
TO be notified OF this decision.
Kendall B. Perkins, attorney, ap-
peared before the council last night
representing two FL Centre barber
unions, to ask passing OF an ordl-
nance governing opening and clos
ing hours of barber shops here.
The proposed ordinance would al
low barber shops to open not earlier
than 730 in the morning and close
not later than $50 at night. with
the exception of Saturday nights
when the closing hour would be $50
The proposed ordinance was tabled
for two weeks for discussion, and
hearing of possible objections.
Paving of Adams street from Fifth
to Eight street was discussed when
a petition signed by property own
ers was presented. but the affair was
put over until other paving projects
are taken up.
Water rates for hotels and auto
courts were also discussed after q
protest on the charge of 25 certs
room in hotels. in addition to
So minimum charge, was heard Fur
ther discussion was postponed un-
Ill next meeting.
A report by the city health offi'
Ger was referred to the health com.
missioner. The council adjourned
at $50.