The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-09-06
Eastern Shore County
Tax Rates
Four OF The Nine Counties
Have Higher Rate-.Queen
Anne Lowest On Shore

County tax rates among the nine
Eastern Shore of Maryland coun-
ties are twenty-one cents lower in
1910 than they were in 1888.
In 1895 the average Shore county
tax rate was $1.01 40 cents; in
1885 it jumped to $1.06 80 cents;
in 1887 the average rate still mount
ed to $1.1O SO cents, but in 1888
it slipped back to its 1895 average
of s1.O5 SO cents. Last year the
average county tax rate scared to
S1.22 2-9 cents on the 800.
In 1889, eight of the nine Shore
counties boosted their respective
tax rates. This year only four coun-
ties were compelled to increase their
tax rates, four others reduced taxes
while the ninth, Worcester County,
made no change for 1910.
With total population OF well
over 100000 inhabitants, Marylands
nine counties on this side Of the
Chesapeake Bay today have total
assessed valuation of around $2l3,-
156,327. And the present total bond
ed Indebtedness of those same nine
counties for 1910 is estimated at
around $3,725,505.
While Worchester Countys fiscal
year extends from June to June J.,
under the new law, it's commission
ers were compelled to strike their
annual levy and tax rate last Feb.
Ii for 1910. Many Eastern Shore
counties were unable to Immediately
set their 1910 tax rate. Kent Coun-
ty set a six-months tax rate extend
ing from June Is, 1910 to Jan. J.,
1941. having previously set fiscal
year tax rate covering the first six
months of 1910. Next January and
February all Shore counties will be
in a position to set their 1941 year
tax rate with little confusion to con-
form with the new state law.
For the fourth consecutive year
Queen Anne's County boasts the
lowest tax rate on the Eastern Shore,
only SO cents on the $500. And for
the first time in the past six years,
Queen Anne's County is the only
shore county whose tax rate Is less
than 81 for 1910. The county boost
ed it's tax rate four cents this year
because of increased budgets for
schools. teachers nay and other nee
essary items.
Kent County's 1910 tax rate
brought a reduction of 33 cents for
it's taxpayers over the 1899 rate OF
S1.33 on the 500. However, the
rate remains in effect only until
Jan. la six-month period.
A heavily increased budget was
responsible for a 17-cent increase
in the tax rate for Cecil County for
1910. In Talbot County the 1910
rate was boosted eight cents due to
required budgets plus more appro-
priations for it's health and welfare
departments.
Caroline and Dorchester Counties
have the same tax rate for 1910
S1.3O ON the 500. Caroline raised
its rate six cents due to added APP
propriations for schools, trail judges
and welfare, but Dorchester County
was able to cut its tax rate 10 cents
because q new reassessment gave
the county more taxable property.
Worchester County Jared just OPP
posite. Its new reassessment lower
ed the taxable basis by over $780,
900, but its three-man board OF
commissioners, by careful budgeting,
kept it's tax rate at $1.25, the same
as in 1899.
Wicomico County, through eco
nomic budgeting, presented its tax
payers with six cent reduction
i'm the tax rate for 1910.
Somerset County, realty benefit
ed by an increased taxable basis
erected by q new reassessment OF
property, plus $4,000 fund receiv-
ed firm its liquor dispensary sys-
tenn, cut it's 1910 tax rate down to
s1.53 ON the 500, reduction OF
seven cents.
The four Eastern Shore of Mary
land counties with increased tax
rates for 1910, together with the
amount of such increases are:
Queen Anne's, boost of four cents;
Caroline, six cents: Talbot, eight
cents; and Cecil County, II cents.
Four other shore counties that
reduced their 1910 tax rate are;
Kent. SO cents; Dorchester, 10
cents: Somerset, seven cents ana
Wicomico County, six cents.