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<br />
<br /> At a regular meeting of the City Council held January 23rd, 1934, at eight p.M.,
<br />there were present:
<br />
<br />'Vernon Ac Brooks, Leslie T. Fox, W.R. Hutchins, Arthur Mayo, S.B. Moore
<br /> J. Alden 0asr, Archibald Ogg, the City Manager. '
<br />
<br /> Minutes of regular meeting held January 9thand special meeting held January 2Sad
<br />were read and approved.
<br />
<br /> The following communications from the Oity Manager were read:
<br />
<br /> 1st - "I am attaching ordinance, the adoption ef which is recommended, entitled:
<br />
<br /> "AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING AND COLLECTING TAXES ON REAL
<br /> ESTATE, TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY AND MACHINERY, WITHIN
<br /> THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, FOR THE
<br /> PURPOSE OF RAISING HEVENUE FOR THE 'SUPPORT OF THE GOVEPJI-
<br /> MENT AND THE PUBLIC FREE SGHOOLB, AND TO PAY INTEREST AND
<br /> BINKING FUND ON THE PUBL!G DEBT.FOR THE. YEAR BEGINNING
<br /> JANUARY-l, 1934."
<br /> This ordinance provides the same rate of tax on real estate, tangible per-
<br />sonal property and machinery and tools, as assessed during 1933. Due to the large decrease in
<br />revenues and tax collect ions, I see no way to reduce the tax rate during 1934. If it had not
<br />been for the substantial reduction made in expenses, the present rate could not have been
<br />maintained."
<br />
<br /> Notion of Mr. Ogg that the ordinance be placed on first reading, was adopted.
<br />
<br /> 2nd - "On account cf the smount of taxes due on the following property~ and the
<br /> possibility of sale of this p~operty through a tax sale, I recommend that the City Attorney
<br /> be directed to institute chancery procesdings for the sale of this property at an early date,
<br /> and that-i be authorized to protect the ~ity's interests when these properties are sold:
<br /> Lot $3Y, block ll, East side Charleston Ave , assessed on
<br /> the land books in the name of P~entis Park Corporation, on
<br /> which taxes have not been paid since 19~l, in the amount of $~6.65
<br /> Lot ~12, block 32, Des Noines Ave , assessed on the land
<br /> books in the name of Prentis Park Gorooration, on which
<br /> taxes have not been paid since 191~, ~n the smount of ~3.51
<br /> Lots ~l~ and ~15, bl6ck 12, assessed on the land books in
<br /> -the name of A.G. Da!guard, on 'which taxes have not been
<br /> paid since 1922, in the amount cf 110.26."
<br /> Notion of Mr. Fbx to concur in the Manager's recommendation was adopted.
<br />
<br /> 3rd - "I wish to bring to your attention some of the more important items in the
<br /> City Collector's report submitted herewith, of the collections for the year 1933 compared with
<br /> the year 1932, and the financial report submitted herewith, for the month of December, 1933
<br /> copies of which have been furnished you. ,
<br /> Collections from taxes during 1~33 decreased $96,103.21 compared with the
<br />year 1~32. Of this amount $60,998.31 was for current year's taxes. Total Collections ~nring
<br />1933 from settees other than taxes, sale of bonds and sale of cemetery lets (which includes
<br />license taxes, penalty and interest on taxes, Court fines and costs, ferry receiots, etc.)
<br />were approximately the same as 1932. -
<br /> Due to the large decrease in collections from taxes during 1933, I was un-
<br /> able to pay on the Floating Debt the 433,000.00 provk!ed in the 1933 budget. I see nothing to
<br /> do but defer this payment until such.time as collections improve~.
<br /> I have shown on the financial report for the month of December, 1933, op-
<br />posite the balances for December 31st, 1933, the ~alances for December 31st, 1932.. Cash on
<br />hand in the Gsneral Fund December 31st, 1933, compared with 1932, de0reased $99,?~9.95, and
<br />uncollected taxes increaaed $1!8,9!3.6Y, If it had not been necessary to cha~ge off in De-
<br />cember 1~33 accounts unknown and uncollectible taxes amounting to $11,8~5.50, the increase in
<br />uncollected taxes would have been $130,Y89.1y. If it had not been for the decrease in tax
<br />collections, we would have been able to pay the 433,000°00 on the Floating Debt and had ap-
<br />proximately the same amount of cash on hand December 31st, 1933 that we had December 31st,1932.
<br />Current indebtedness decreased $67,524.37 and bonded indebtedness $154,000.00 making a total
<br />decrease in indebtedness of $221,524.~9 during 1933. The Floating Debt which is included in
<br />current indebtedness was decreased $1~,000.00 du~ing 1933. The appropriations made for pay-
<br />rolls were unexpended in the amount of $2g~073.~ §nd th? appropriations made for other than
<br />~y~olls was unexpended in the amomnt of $63,928°?8, making a total unexpended appropriation
<br /> $86,002.45. All expehses except the $33,000.00 appropriated for the Floating Debt were pro-
<br />vided for and no funds were borrowed during 1933.
<br /> The auditing of the City~.s accounts and records from October let, 1932
<br />through December 31st, 1933 is now being done by Mr. J.A.D. Parrish, Certified-Public Account-
<br />ant. This work will be completed within the nex~ week or two, after which a complete report of
<br />the audit will be submitted.,
<br />
<br /> Notion of ~r. Ogg that the report be rec~ved and filed, was adopted, and by the
<br />'folloWing vote:
<br />
<br /> Ayes: Brooks, Fox, Hutchins, Mayo, Moore, Oast Ogg - y,
<br /> Nays: None.' '
<br />
<br /> 4th - The City Manager stated that he had conferred with the Director of Public
<br />Welfare and he was agreeable for the office of the Coron&r being consolidated with his office
<br />
<br />
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