The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1961-03-16
March 10, 1861

To The Citizens and Taxpayers OF Garrett County:
To better inform the people of Garrett County, the
County Commissioners take this opportunity to explain
the prospective financial condition and economic develop
men of the County and their desire to obtain Independent
sources of revenue.
A serious economic condition faced the Commission
at the end of 1853 rising faster than tax
revenue; the people demanding and more
ces population slowly decreasing; something had to
be done to relieve the of financial instability and
1t was desired to promote the general economic outlook OF
the County.
Thus upon taking office 1858, the Commissioners
presented with budget requests of 4O2 of
which SIO3839402 levied budget requests for 1861
amounted to $1,3440O710, of which S1,183,O2710
levied having been cut by $16O98OOO Even after such
substantial cut, the 1861 budget exceeded 1859 by $144
633O8 The rise in budgeed expenditures reflects in part
higher cost of living and operating schedule and, in
part additional services afforded to the public Indebted
for school bonds, hospital addition and borrowed
has been reduced from $2,086,84376 in 1858 to
$197543734 in 1860, or reduction Of $111,462.42.
Reflectng similar pattern, the Roads Department
faced with accumulated payable of $45,-
95038 at the close of 1858 and bonded Indebtedness of
$94486610 During 1859 equipment expenditures
ed to o000O00 to replace out and useless vehicles
and machinery. Bonded Indebtedness grew to $IO72,-
1Ol11 and total expenditures amounted to S89351452 In
1860 total expenditures amounted to S97327922 nclud
ing S00O00O0 additional equipment purchases Bonded
Indebtedness again grew, this time to $119440197.
Without further amplification the financial picture
for the County is of rising add this
expansion OF services for the benefit of the County
orally it is elementary that additional of
must be found Two solutions available: increasing
taxes finding independent of To this
latter end the County Commissioners devoted
siderable time and effort and supported
ducon of legislation legalize within certain wede-
fined limits sale beverages in this County
The reasonably anticipated under such legis-
lation would have amounted to estimated $40
from dispensaries plus license fees and approximately
100000 from State distribution of revenue based
comparative figures from counties of similar
under similar conditions these amounts to the an
nua budget each year would provide Independent
necessary avoid increased taxes to property own
10 OtiOlp CnrVicp 9lraaH
istence and to add facilities essential growth
of the County The indirect economic benefits the Coun-
y at large, was felt would provide shot in the
stimulating other economic development
For example, the contemplated airport to be con-
struced at the White Face Farm estimated of
$5OOOo0O has been cleared by federal authorities and
has progressed beyond the planning stage
ty only construction remains to be completed Further
the flood control project Kitzmer with
aid at estimated cost of than will
shortly be reality Other projects direct
benefit to the County be stimulated by additional
source of revenue.
The economic development of the County has been of
the utmost concern to the County Commissioners
taking office in 1858 and in this direction portion
of their time and talents have been devoted This
nomic growth plan has been designed affect every
ton or segment OF the County; to cite but example
the of substantial of state orders
for local coal in the two years Only by expanding
and developing the local economy the County ever
expect to provide adequate opportunity
encourage new people and businesses to settle here Thus
economic growth leading to prosperity lies
of the program undertaken by the Commissioners.
In order to continue the services already being
dered the people of Garrett County and to continue to
broaden the economic outlook the Commissioners feel
that additional revenue is essential demonstrabe
Failing Independent the only alternative left
is further tax increase If raise avoid
ed the Commissioners will every do so;
it felt that the County continue to grow
and consequently ii tax rate increase the only avail
able of the revenue the Commissioners will
not hesitate to levy the funds necessary
CARL A. SCHELL
FRED B. GLOTFELTY