Henderson daily dispatch., 1940-08-22
Municipal Economy


and fix the tax rate. For several
wears past the rate has been Sl.6J
on the 500 property valuation, and
responsible municipal officials have
hazardeG the prediction that there
vii be no change in it this year,
The tentative budget, presented
TO the Council at It's regular month
" meeting the fourth Monday IN
July. and held in the city clerks Of
flee for examination by any inter
ested citizens, predicateS the flnan-
cial structure for the year on d
property valuation of S6.5OO,oOO ana
4 levy the same as in recent years,
to be augmented by other means,
including licenses, court fees and
somewhat similar types Of revenue.
A more than casual reading OF thI
expenditures side of the proposed
budget goes into considerable de-
tail, but one unfamiliar with all an
giles of municipal operations vii.
find it difi.cu.t Il determine Wheth-
er or not cuts can be made, and, i.
so, whit G.
Just ..,. i city is engaged in a
modest euiare ,mcut program relat-
ing to the fir- department and the
mu c. pal court. Since the pur-
chase OF the new, large and modern
motor equipment unit, additional!
quartz nave become ugently neceS-
sary y accommodate the three
trucks. There has been general ag-
cord among citizens. we believe, in
remodeling operations inauguratec
for this department.
AS part OF that program, too, pro-
vision is being made to have a num-
Der OF volunteer firemen sleep at
the tire house, 50 that they will be
available to accompany equipment
called out in the night time. The
advantage Of this Set-up is obvious.
This move ouSted the police court
from its second story quarters, and
i has taken refuge in the portion of
the newer wing of the Municipal
Building formerly used by the street
department. ManifeStly, alterations
are essential there if the court is
to be properly housed. But plans
that have been informally gOsSlped
about as to the nature Of these i'm
provements call for a rather ambi-
tious project, at least d part oil
which, if our information is correct
might be left for more financially
convenient time. Proposed office
quarters talked of possibly could be
omitted for the present, and some
Savi- IS effected in that manner.
Provision is made in the budget
| for ref 'Hdng at low interest rates
some $4,000 of bonds that mature
during the fiscal year, but allowance
! is made for that in the budget anc
! tn 81 60 tax rate.
! WIthout more knowledge of the
/ intricate operation of city affairs, we
would not say flatfootedly that ma
terial reductions are possible with
out impairing the efficient function
ing Of essential services. But we be,
lieve they are. Just how much {
layman not fully converSant witt
conditions would be unable to say.
There is defenite feeling in thu
minds Of some citizens, however, tina
Il determined effort at economy
would bear fruit, and that reduc,
tons sufficient to benefit tax-pay,
ers might be effected.
The time is short The City Coun
Gil will feel impelled to settle thu
matter Of budget items and the ia!
levy at its meeting Monday night
; What is done, if anything, must b,
done quickly, for it is time thcs
issues be decided, so that tax book
can be prepared for collections, nov
soon to begin.
Members of the Council owe it t.
their con" ituent' to go the full dis
lance in elonomiEing at this time
The process could be carried to SOM
length tn. great satisfaction o
those v.uo "a put their shoulder t.
the wheel il furnishing the casl
with which the municipality runs on
Gentlemen of the Council are al
Taxpayers, and would share per
sonally whatever relief they nigh
provide ior the rest Of lis. Their in