OCR Text |
Show CITY'S OUTLAY F0R193BFIXED AT $3241,203 Commission Favors Tax Levy Slash if Possible By AL FERGUSON With city commissioners virtually vir-tually pledged to a reduction of one-half to one mill in the 1938 tax levy, compared to the 1037 ' levy of IS mills, the 1938 budget of Salt Lake City was adopted Wednesday. Commissioners voted three far ' approval and two against approval of the M44USS bodges, which ns-ehidea ns-ehidea a eaea reserve at tauaf. The new budget la fm.M lees than the figure which the 1MT budget budg-et Is expected to reach by the end ' of the year. FoUowa Executive Meet Action of the commission followed aa executive session la Mayor K, B. Krwin's office, which,- la turn. , came after a public hearing attended attend-ed by nearly a doaea representatives representa-tives of large taxpaymg units. Mark Tuuls, representing the Aa sociated Geaeral Contractors, warned ommtaaioners relative to uie of aa anticipated revenue of tW.OOO for anything bat street improvements im-provements and eoastraotien. The money will accrue under a law providing pro-viding for division of state receipts on motor vehicle licenses. "The money should be set apart and not made a part of the street m department budget. If there la aa attempt directly or Indirectly to divert di-vert this money for any other purpose, pur-pose, I believe the law will agala be amended and cities and counties deprived of the benefits sow assured," as-sured," said Mr. TutUe. Plea Ignored Saying that the public library building Is "congested and badly la need of physical improvements," Jacob A. Kahn, of the library board of trustees, appealed for a budget of S US, 000. Ths library has been apportioned 193.000, and the plea was ignored when the budget was adopted. A strong plea to hold the new budget to 13.150 000 was made by Raymond R. Brady attorney representing repre-senting the Apartment House Association As-sociation of Utah and the Salt Lake Real Estate board. "We favor the pay Increase provided pro-vided for firemen and policemen," said Mr. Brady. "Do the Real Estate board and apartment house owners feel the rest of city employes are overpaid ? asked Commissioner John B. Mathe-son. Mathe-son. "My understanding is that police and firemen are the only groups called to attention of the commission commis-sion at this time," said Mr. Brady. Asked Raises "That Isn't trus. Men in my department de-partment have asked for pay Increases." In-creases." replied Commissioner Mstheson. "I have probably 140 men, most of them with families, working for an average of less than tlOO per month. Does your association associa-tion feel that is aU right? I believe other departments are la similar positions." "No. undoubtedly if every department depart-ment asks the asms thing, ths situation situa-tion would be different. But I do believe that because of exceptional: service of police and firemen the increase is justified," said Mr, Brady. Ths pay Increase for police and firemen, provided for In the new budget, was also Indorsed by Gus P. Backman, secretary of the chamber cham-ber of commerce, and Ray H. Butler, But-ler, representing the Retail Merchants' Mer-chants' association. "Salt Lake City Is known throughout through-out the world as a tourist center. Police and firemen are one of our best assets," said Mr. Butler. Congratulates Officials After congratulating the commis-lion commis-lion on Its "honest effort to allocate funds In a way that will provide 3alt Lake City with an efficient iOsetinute on pjre atveai CColuniB On S. L. APPROVES - LOWER-BUDGET (Continued from Pago On) government and keep within the anticipated an-ticipated revenue," Mr, Back man said: "However, we believe that a further fur-ther reduction by (75.000 should be made in the budget by withdraw- ment and placing the amounts in a reserve. "We wish to call your attention to the fact that next year Salt Lake City will have its greatest opportunity oppor-tunity of developing tourist travel and will act as host to the greatest iiuniuri ui iiiiviiui, o ciii- tained here in one year. Eleven national conventions are scheduled , to convene. While a fund of 14000 has been established for civic enterprises, en-terprises, we believe we are fair in a.iking that an additional X2SO0 be added to that fund now to be used for tourist promotion and convention conven-tion development.'' Indorses Projects Mr. Backman also indorsed a mare, expansive asraaa tot emoko abatement and sponsorship of W P A projects. Dr. M. H. Harris of the Utah Taxpayers' association spoke In be-, be-, half o( that organization and also the Salt Lake Real Estate board, represented by Richard Harding; Utah Buliding Owners' association, represented by Lawrence H. Heath, and the Utah Apartment House as- sociation. represented by Ralph A. Badger, saying, in part: "We respectfully urge that the total 193 budget not exceed 3,-150,000 3,-150,000 and that it be adjusted by . removal of 1 15.000 now apportioned to each department and the placing of $75,000 thus garnered into a re-aerve re-aerve fund. "You are fully cognizant of the recent setback to economic recov- ery. Already the taxpaying ability of Salt Lake City has been greatly impaired, with further decreases forecast. Invites Trouble ' 'To Increase the budget In face of the attendant uncertainties Is to invite serious trouble." Commissioner George D. Key ser Insisted on a vote of the board on . a resolution he introduced seeking to bind the commission on a levy reduction of at least one-half mill next year. The motion was supported support-ed only by Commissioners Keyser and Matheson, and lost. Mayor Erwin and Commissioner William Murdoch, however, sponsored spon-sored a substitute motion, which passed unanimously. It read: "The commission favors a pro-. pro-. posed reduction in tax levy of from one-half to one mill, provided no unusual emergency arises, revenue and valuations are not seriously decreased, but that this resolution be referred to the finance oommis- sioner for study between now and the time the levy is set next Jury or August." Separate Resolution v Commissioner Matheson sponsored spon-sored a separate resolution designed to withdraw tne anticipated revenue item of 190.000 accruing from motor mo-tor vehicle receipts and its divorce-n divorce-n ment from the street department budget, which, the commissioner asked, be set at the figure used as basis for the 1937 budget That figure fig-ure was about $440,000. The motion was lost on m four to one vote, the maker being its only supporter. Rollcall on final adoption of the budget showed Commissioners Matheson and Keyser opposed to Its adoption in the present form and Commissioners Murdoch and Gog gin with Mayor Erwin supporting support-ing the budget in its present status. |