The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-07-11
1O-CENT HIKE
IN TAX RATE
FACES COUNTY
Taxpayer Groups to Study
1886 Budgets: 1885
Shortage Barred.
RECALL EXTRA CLAIMS
Excess Payments to Gray,
Naming of Joel Baker
Are Included

Independent organizations of Mar
ion County taxpayers this after
noon promised a critical examina-
ton Of the 1886 tax budget as the
Baker-G rossart county administra-
ton forecast an almost certain tax
rate increase Of from 10 to Il cents
for every 500 of taxable property.
Harry MieSSe, executive head of
the Indiana Taxpayers Association,
withheld comment upon the threat
ened increased levy, until official
budget estimates have been tab
ulated, but asserted the new budget
will be scrutinized as never before.
Meanwhile, it was disclosed the
county council has been asked to
appropriate additional funds to per-
nit the operation of essential serv-
ices the balance Of this fiscal year.
The reduced 1885 budget, hereto
fore pointed to by the Baker-Gross-
art administration as indicating
busineSs-like handling of county af-
fairs, was disclosed yesterday as be-
ing incapable of meeting the needs
Of several departments for the bal
anCe of the year.
In the face of the known INSULT
cheney of the current budget. Audi
tor GrOSsart and the majority fac
ton of the county commissioners
have paid claims which have added
to the problem.
Gasoline Taxes TO Pay Bills
These claims include excess pay
ments to the indianapolis CONNER
cial by Auditor Grossart for the
publication of tax sale advertising.
The Commercial, of which Mark
r. Gray is publisher, billed the
county at the rate set by law for
published advertising. The claim
was paid at that rate although the
advertising never had been printed.
The Times also has shown that
Criminal Judge Frank p. Baker APP
pointed Joel A. Baker as probation
officer and investigator, although
state laws do not authorize appoint
ment of an Investigator.
Joel Baker was not qualified to
be probation officer because he
never had passed the competitive
state examination required by law.
Nearly 100000 of this years gas
oline tax revenue will be used by
the Baker Grossart administration
to pay old bills incurred during the
administration of Bruce Short as
county surveyor. In consequence,
this years highway Work has been
curtailed.
The Times also has shown that
Judge Baker, by reason of devoting
only part of his time on the Grim
inal Court bench. has frequently
been replaced on the bench by Spe-
cial and pro tenn, judges, who are
paid from public funds.
Spencer staff Enlarged
Other conditions. disclosed by
The Times, affecting the fiscal op-
Grafton of the county government.
included the failure of Auditor
GroSsart to advertise his own tax
delinquent properties and the fail
IRE of the county treasury to OBJ
serve a state law requiring the
pay tax delinquencieS.
Adding to next years tax problem
is the need for additional funds to
meet the expense of Prosecutor
Herbert M. Spencer'S enlarged staff.
Prosecutor Spencer persuaded the
General Assembly to authorize ad-
ditional deputies to clear criminal
dockets. 1t has not yet been OK
planned how the additional deputies
will be effective unless Criminal
Court hours are extended to allow
the disposition of more cases.
A need of approximately 100000
for old-age pensions, in addition to
the 100000 appropriated for 1885,
will be one of the largest requests
in the new budget now being for
mulated for presentation at informal
County Council meeting, which are
to begin Aug. 10.
The problematical increase in the
old-age pension budget to 100000
would raise the tax rate to approx
imately 4 cents.
Food Fund Shortages
Shortages in food appropriations
this year in county institutions and
the increased cost of the care of
juvenile wards, as revealed during
yesterdays meeting, will necessi-
tate an additional increased appro-
priation of Sl25.000 for 1885 as well
as in 1886. The council will meet
soon to consider the shortages.
Juvenile Judge John F. Geckler
told the commissioners and council
men that wards under his super
vision would need $4,000 additional
money this year. besides the amount
appropriated by the 1885 budget.
The additional money needed for
the court wards. coupled with ap-
proximately 5000 for increased
food and maintenance costs of
county institutions. would increase
next years budget cents on the
tax rate.
Sheriff Otto Ray. with an I'M
expected request for more men to
man the now understaffed sheriffs
Office. would add an additional one
cent almost TO the tax rate.
Anticipated decline in the valua-
ton OF taxSble property in the coun-
" will also add additional cents to
the tax rate. it is believed.
Mr.. Deluse, Mr.. Brown and County
Commissioner John w. Newhouse all
reiterated today that county insti-
tuition heads as we'll as Courthouse
executives could expect no quarter
from budgets submitted with in
creased demands not backed by
mandatory laws.