Austin Budget for Tax Assessment Work 1879
• Tax Assessment Funding Approved: The city council unanimously voted to spend $300 to pay assessors and the mayor for property tax work in 1879—$200 for appraisers working 10 days at $10/day and $100 for the mayor to prepare assessment rolls and receipts.
• Quick Passage: The budget resolution was rushed through all three required readings and passed without opposition, suggesting it was routine and uncontroversial.
• Full Attendance Enforced: The council used an official "call" to track down absent members, ensuring a quorum was present before conducting business—a sign of strict procedural standards.
Full Transcript
Called Meeting of City Council Austin Texas May 19, 1879 Mayor de Gress presiding. Roll Called. Present Aldermen Crow, Halle, Strong, Sheehan and Vaughan. Alderman Harm moves a Call of the Council. The Call being sustained by three members, the Marshal was despatched for Absentees. Aldermen Millett and Halle appeared & answered to their names. There being a quorum present, on motion the Call was suspended and the following business transacted. A resolution appropriating $300.00 for the pay of the Board of Appraisers & Equalization of the City of Austin. Be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Austin. 1st That the sum of $200.00 be and the same is hereby appropriated to pay the Board of Appraisers & Equalization $10 each per day for ten days. 2d That the sum of $100.00 be and the same is hereby appropriated to pay the Mayor for making out the assessment rolls and blank receipts for the year 1879. Read first time and on motion the rules were suspended and the resolution placed on its second reading by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Crow, Millett, Halle, Harm, Sheehan, Strong and Vaughan - Nays none Read second time and on motion the rules were further suspended and the resolution placed on its third reading by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Crow, Millett, Halle, Harm, Sheehan, Strong and Vaughan. Nays none Resolution read third time and on motion passed by the following vote: Yeas Aldermen Crow, Millett, Halle, Harm, Sheehan, Strong, and Vaughan. Nays none There being no further business the Council adjourned Approved [illegible] R.M. Bradley Approved June 2d 1879 City Clerk.