Laurel outlook., 1944-08-23
COUNTYS TAX
LEVY LOWEST
IN TEN YEARS
Is Set At 1850 Mills;
Yellowstone Is Free
OF Bonded Debt

Yellowstone %county's tax levy of
14.50 mills, adopted last week by
the board of county commissioners
for the fiscal year ending next
June 80, is the lowest in the past
10 years. The nearest approach to
the present low was in 1886 when
the levy was 14.75 mills. When
plotting contemplated costs of coun-
ty government for the coming year,
the commissioners made no pro-
vision for payments of principal
and interest on outstanding bonds,
for the county has no bonded debt.
The new budget authorizes ex-
penditures totaling 1895 ,864.67 in
the coming fiscal year. The amount
to be raised by taxation is $685.
468.46. The difference between the
two figures is represented by cash
on hand and estimated receipts that
will come in from sources other
than taxes.
Three changes were made in the
budget between July rs, the date
of its tentative adoption, and Aug.
Is when it was finally adopted. Ono
was for addition of approximately
81 900 to the general fund TO fin
ance part Of the work on q proposed
wing to the courthouse. Another
was addition of $4,000 to the bridge
fund for purchase and installation
of a permanent bridge structure TO
eventually replace that on the road
leading south from Billings which
recently lost a span. The third in
crease was the addition of $5,571.73
to provide labor for classifying
irrigable county lands which
need changing of status, according
to County Clerk and Recorder
George G. Osten.
Cash on hand in the road fund
and estimated yearly receipts for
that fund, bringing the estimated
total to $189,957.27, will provide for
departments budget of $125,-
1856.
Reduction of the levy from last
assessment of 16 mills re-
suited from some departments not
spending all the money allowed
hem in last years budget.
During the past 10 years the
county levies were 1914 mills in
1888, 1872 in 1884, 20 in 1885, 14.75
1886, 1852 in 1887, 1895 in 1888,
Il in 1899, 81 in 1910, 20.5 in 1871,
1875 in 1912 and 10 in 1913.
Gross valuation of property in
he county is $76,275,833. Taxable
valuation against which the new
mill levy will be applied is $780,
,26,93S.
Budget figures listed for the COM
ng year are:
General fund-$25O,635.26 budget
md $53,665.55 reserve, totaling
1904, 300.81, $125,685.31 in estimated
'eceipts and cash on hand, S178,-
1850 required for taxation, and 8
mill levy.
Road fund-$125,735 budget, with
O reserve fund asked, $189,954.27
n cash and receipts, no tax levy
Iecessary.
Poor fund - 137,S5O.S3 budget
nd ~s44,683.33 reserve, totaling
1872, 534.16, S124,4S5.12 in cash and
eceipts, 58,049.04 required for AK
tion, &c mill levy.
Bridge fund-$29,3 $50 budget and
6,434.95 reserve, totalfing $685.
84.95, $7,876.28 in cash and re-
eipts ~$27,908.67 required for tax
ton, and 1.25 mill levy.
Fair fund-$181,6 25 budget, no
eserve asked, s147,258.71 in cash
nd receipts, $~34,366.29 required for
axation, 1.50 mill levy.
Farm bureau fund-$10,195 bud
ct and $2,497.91 reserve, totaling
IL, 692.91, $1,529A4 in cash and re-
eipts, $8,930.78 required for taxa
on, so mill levy.
Insect pest fund-$9,100 budget
nd $2,785.37 reserve, totaling SILL
85.37, $7,419.98 in cash and re-
eipts, $4,465.38 required for taxa
on, 20 mill levy.
Weed control fund - $28,716.59
udget and $781.43 reserve, totaling
20, 498.02 25,032.63 in cash and
$4,465.39 required for tax
ton, 20 mill levy.
Classification fund-$9,940 bud
ct and $1,868.45 reserve, totaling
II, SOS.45, $6,226.72 in cash and re-
,ipts, S5,681.73 required for taxa
on, and .25 mill levy.
Totals are $~783,147.68 budget and
l12,716.99 reserve, totaling $685.
'4.67, s635,468.46 IN cash and re-
[To No. Nlx