COSTS IN COOK COUNTY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19337, 29 May 1937, Page 4

COSTS IN COOK COUNTY

HIGHER LEVY MADE REASON FOR THE INCREASE ST AT K .\IE N T 13 V CIIAIR MAN "Estimates prepared by the county clerk and the county engineer .show that to carry on the work necessary for the proper management of the county and maintenance of existing roads, bridges, and drains a rate of 6|d will be required —calculated on the unimproved rateable value reduced by 25 per cent," said the chairman of the Cook County Council, Mr. Charles Matthews, to-day in a statement giving the reason for the increased rate struck for the county at the annual meeting on Wednesday.

'■This rate is equivalent to a fraction over 5d on the unimproved value and a fraction under 2 l-3d on the capital value of the county and represents £48,926. The capita] value is £5,106,096, the'unimproved value £2,306,973, and the unimproved value, reduced by 25 per cent £1,772,419.

"The flat rate for 1936-37 was 4 57>-64d on the reduced value and produced £35,641. Difference Explained ''The difference is caused : "(1) By expenditure fully up to the estimate 'in the 1936-37 period by which an opening credit balance in the ridings was turned into a debit balance at the close of the year of £766, or a difference for estimating purposes of ££7784. "(2) Provision lias to be made for an amount of £847 for repayment to loan account, £645 for increase in hospital levy, and £384 for the increase in the interest bill, with an appropriate increase in .wages cost of £4COO.

"It is evident from the above that to carry out anything like the same amount of road work and to maintain the efficiency of administration," continued Mr. '.Matthews, "the rate must be as stated. •'1 wish again to quote the figures to emphasise tho matter and they are as follow : £

source. Exhaustive Consideration "If costs of road-making materials increase generally to the extent now indicated by some contractors, even with the rate as shown, it will not be possible to come up to the amount of work done last year. The council has very exhaustively considered the whole of the estimates and is of the opinion that all the items of expenditure covered thereby are necessary and consequently must stand.

"As has been stated, both at the council table and at public meetings, the incidence of rating is, to some degree, affected by the abolition of the system of riding finance that was in operation up to the end of last year. While it is evident that the inner ridings are adversely affected by this change, it is also evident that some alteration would have been made in the rating method this year owing to the declaration of certain highways in the county as State highways, otherwise some of the riding areas would have been relieved of their roads and the. consequent cost of maintenance ami have been in a position to reduce rates even after taking into consideration the increase in costs for works.

"It can readily be realised that with fortnightly payments of wages in place of the system of accounts being passed for payment at the monthly meetings the office work is increased considerably, and this position will be further emphasised when the 40-hour week and award conditions are applied to the office staff.'"

Il.ite to be struck for year 1937-38 Rain struck 1936-37 48,926 35,641 Difference Jvxtrii requirements 1937-38— 33,285 To compensate for absorption of credit balances in previous year 7,784 Repayment to loan plus increases in hospital levy and interest bill Approximate increase in wages... 1;876 4,000 13,664 "Besides this, fewer Government subsidies were outstanding on March 3, 1937, than at the same date in 1936 and this means less income from that