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Show NO GIFT FROM HEAVEN The revenue sharing money has arrived. Not just like it was advertised, but it has arrived never-the-less. There has been much discussion over why iBeaver received re-ceived $12,345 (if the news release in the Tribune was correct) cor-rect) and Milford City only $5,214. In anything of the magnitude of Revenue Sharing, there are bound to be some inequities, and probably errors, especially in the first go-around. go-around. While Beaver may have a slight population advantage so far as allocation of funds, tax effort by individual communities com-munities also was to play an important part in the allocation alloca-tion of funds. Since Milford City pays over a third more in taxes than Beaver City, most observers expected the two coumunities shares to be about the same, give or take a few shillings. So, why Beaver should receive over twice as much money as Milford is not known at this writing. One thing is for certain, the money is no gift from heaven. It is still taxpayers money. The intent and purpose pur-pose is to reduce the property tax burden. Taxpayers everywhere should insist that in this initial year, this money mon-ey is used for just that purpose. Milford City at present stands to receive a little over $10,000 for 1972. Figuring 1 mill equals approximately a $1,000, Milford City could reduce the tax levy by 10 mills. On the County level, a mill raises about $7,000, so, taxes could be lowered by two to three mills and both governing gov-erning bodies would still have the same operating capital. To our knowledge, congress has yet to determine just where this money is coming from. But there is no use in kidding ourselves, it is coming out of the taxpayer's pocket. pock-et. Yours and mine. We have never wholeheartedly endorsed the revenue sharing concept even though it is a step in the right direction. We believe that most would be better served by giving cities and counties the tools to tax for these funds themselves. We know of a few cities which have money in the bank and do not need the funds. Many others will treat the new money like a windfall, and take on projects pro-jects which they can ill afford, or need, and if future congresses con-gresses withhold funding for revenue sharing, they will be in dire straits. We hope that at least locally, caution, and forsight will prevail. Red |