The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-02-17
N. d. Will Pay Less
Taxes During 1882


Despite the fact that state taxes
increased $1ls,669.55 in 1892, the tax
payers of the state will pay a total
$2,490, 752 less than in 1881, according
to a compilation by liver Acker, state
tax commissioner. The answer Is
found in reduction of $500 ,422.O2
made in taxes levied by counties,
townships, villages, cities and school
districts.
Taxes levied for 1881 by all govern
mental divisions. to be paid this year.
total $28, 309 ,562.65, or 500 per cent
less than the 1880 levy, which totaled
$50, 800 ,3l512.
Reductions in road and bridge
taxes account for approximately so
per cent of the total decrease In tax
levies.
Valuation adjustments made by the
state board of equalization indicate
the farmers will receive the most
benefit from the tax reduction.
Based on reports Of county audi
tors to the state tax commissioner,
the decrease in levies Of the subdivi-
sions of the state are:
Counties .................$ 784 $3.50
Townships ................ 6O8, 1856
School districts ........... 985 5000
Cities and villages ........ 230,902.73
While the levy for the state gen.
eral fund decreased approximately
$38,304.32 under the previous year,
this was more than offset by an in
creased levy of $118.866 to meet In
terest and principal payments on
state bonds and an increase of $50, 107
for the new capitol building. making
an increase of $ll8,669.55 in the state
tax levy.
Public Demand Heard
In 1881 ailevy of $2ll ,304 was made
to pay interest on real estate bonds
issued by the state In connection
with the farm loan business of the
Bank of North Dakota. This was the
first levy for this purpose since 1924.
1.-THE public interest pertaining to
taxation. due to economic distress"
Acker said, resulted in a general and
organized demand for decreased
taxes. The result of such demand is
reflected in the 1891 levy. North Da-
kota has had a budget law since 1923
and city budget law since 1925, re-
curing public hearings on proposed
expenditures and proposed tax levies,
but until 1881 few taxpayers, with the
exception of railroad representatives.
took an interest in county and local
budgets for the purpose Of curtailing
expenditures. Not infrequently, how
ever, taxpayers or groups of taxpay-
ers appeared to advocate expendi-
lures for projects In which they were
particularly interested.
1.-The active interest Of taxpayers
In governmental expenditures is re-
sponsible for the substantial decrease
in this years tax bill. Local county
associations cooperated with tax levy
ing boards in studying the problems
Of decreased expenditures and tax
reduction"
Stutsman Cut Largest
The largest reduction In local tax
leyies in 1881. compared with those
of 1880, was in Stutsman county,
with a decrease of $152,439. Botti-
neau county was next with slash OF
$125, 008.75, and is followed by Barnes,
$l21, 877.6l; Richland, $l15,675: Cass,
$107, 23l.38; Towner, SOL ,068.57; Ward,
500, 98268 and Wells, 98,34509.
Only two counties showed increases
In the local tax. These are Dunn,
$2,97662, and Sioux, $46668.
Road and bridge taxes were de-
creased 1929 ,055.65. County road
and bridge levies decreased $685.
127.85. Unorganized township road
and bridge levies decreased $82,6l2.l7.
Organized township road and bridge
taxes decreased 1897 ,736.08 and city
and village road and bridge taxes de-
creased SO ,579.55. The repeal OF the
road poll tax accounted for $l14,58
of these decreases.
General revenue levies of the state
and all subdivisions decreased ST..
477.04481. Interest and sinking fund
levies increased $176.24O.60, from So
066,2472l to 1922 ,48781. The CAPT.
toll building fund levy increased $685.
lo7.3e.
The total of township levies is lower
than for any year since 1916, except
for 1924. The total Of all local levies
was lower in 1924, 1925, and 1926 than
for 1881, but owing to a larger state
levy In those years the grand total
Of the 1924, 1925, and 1926 levies was
higher than in 1881.
Offset by Poor Relief
The county general revenue levies
decreased only $50, 67790. The de-
crease in county appropriations for
ordinary governmental purposes was
largely offset by enlarged appropria-
tons for poor relief. There was q
slight decrease In interest and sink
Ing fund levies Of counties.
The general revenue levieS Of town.
ships decreased 42l8.038.l2. The gem
eral revenue levies Of cities and VII
lagos decreased $685., O65.88.
Valuation adjustments made by the
state board OF equalization indicate
that the farmers will receive the most
benefit from the tax reduction. Farm
land, valuations were reduced 1865 per
cent: city real estate was reduced SO
per cent; personal property 90 per
cent; railroads 3 per cent; other util-
tiles were increased IA per cent. The
net decrease on all property except
farm lands was - per cent, COM
pared With 1875 per cent decrease on
Continued on page three