, 1935-11-24
Taxpayers League
Urges Steps to Get
Valuations Lowered

With diligence as IL Is the basis upon
when any further reductions on in
G~entedness OF rates can be accom-
plished.
y your committee admits that a
radical reduction Of valuations will
unquestionably raise the rates in an
enoeaVor 70 meet expenses, but once
the valuations are true valuations,
then bonded indebtedness and other
expenses can be adjusted to meet
thlS emel gency much easier and
mere efficiently than with the pres
ent % varieties of valuations.
8. Second only In Importance to
the necessity OF filing and proSecut-
ing excess valuation suits on back
taxes is necessity for each individual
property owner to personally and
Immediately render his or her prop
erty with each OF the tax district
Ho~leS IN an ence1FCr TO bring about
reduction OF current taxes and val
ueS Zach psrsCn should also at
teno all meetings in person or BY
proxy OF The various equalization
-alNC HCUT c0-lm.r.ee recommends.
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everyone for their CEn protection.
8. AS a guide to new valuations
your committee suggests the follow
ing approximate standards:
All farm values should be reduced
approximately 800 under 1885 esti-
mates.
Black heavy lands suitable for cot
ton cn-y should BE- rendered at ap-
proXimately $500 per acre accord
ing TO location. Sacahuiste, salt and
sand hill land no. fronting on Bay
or Gulf approximately $3.50 per acre.
In all delinquent tax suits it is
suggested that 5000 per acre be US
ed as a maximum basis.
10. knowing full well that the next
recommendation may work a hard
ship or some individuals, the COM
mittee unanimously recommends the
immediate Capitalization OF all OF
the 80 existing tax assessing and
collecting poaI-s under the super
vision of the county Tax Assessor
Collector for the following reasons:
a. It is essential that valuations
be uniform throughout the county.
Is the backbone OF our readjust-
ment program
b. Economy of collection expense.
II was found on Investigation that
some school districts were costing
tie taxpayer as much as Az for as
seSSlng and collecting. 1t can be
done for liaG by the county office.
~ u0ffryn fw~gu0 tf0p a,J Irog,ana
assessments ana collections car be
made for $3.50 by the county office.
is much lower than most dis
tricts are costing the tax payer.
c. Renditions and hearings before
equalization boards would be much
simpliiied and facilitated.
II. After due consideration Of the
that all county records rela-
i've to assessment collection and de-
Iinquencies are residual in the court :,
house at Brownsville that it will be
necessary TO refer To these records
frequently and that q rent free Of
flee can be obtained in the court
house, II Is unanimously recon-
nended BY your Committee that the
iomicile and office Of the Tax Pay
rs League be located in Brownsville,
Texas.
u. Feeling that many CT the small
n communities should and can be
consolidated. il Is further rec-m- ,
nsndod TO the Beard that the num- /.
Der OF directors Of the Tax Payers !
~ limited to l3. Said bo1rd :
% serve without compensation and
meet regularly at least Cnce each !
ncnth for the general supervision :
II the League. !
Is. For the sake Of flexibility, ef- .
iciency in action, IL IS recommend :.
ID that said board elect an EXecu- ,
i've Committee Of 5 members to meet :
'egularly at least once each week, :,
continue TO make investigations and :
make reports, recommendations, ard =
upervise the activity OF the league :
to instructions from the y
General board. :
IA. Said Executive Committee, TO-
,ether with attorney If necessary, /.
hould sit In at al proposed re-fl- !
.ancing negotiations and any other :
meetings or negotiations that affect 4
he tax payer. =
IS. Your committee has delyed into b
nd is studying many auxiliary plans s
D the ones above recommended, but S
.ue to the necessity Of compiling
many Of the facts involved and the Y
ew days available since last meet K
ag, 1t does not wish to make fur d
her recommendations regarding v
hem until sufficient time has elaps-
4 to study them more carefully. We II
o, however, suggest that each direc- 4
Or here tonight return to his COM {
1unity and individually or coIlec- 4
lively perfect the organization in his n
ommunity and endeavor TO raise In
nv manner possible funds TO bring :
bout the much needed tax reforms