Austin City Council Meeting Archives

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Austin Policy: Tax Puzzles & Jail Illnesses

Tuesday, August 27, 1918 special called

  • Vagrancy Fine Remitted:

    The city council remitted the remaining balance of a vagrancy fine for Jesse Robinson, who fell ill in jail after working off part of his debt and was subsequently moved to the City Hospital for treatment.

  • Questionable Tax Assessments:

    Austin leaders determined that securities held by the Atlantic Life Insurance Company, previously assessed for city taxes from 1911-1917, were not properly taxable and ordered their assessment canceled.

  • Attorney Paid for Canceled Taxes:

    Despite canceling the insurance company's tax assessment, the city approved a payment of $234.67 to an attorney for fees incurred while attempting to collect these now-disputed "delinquent taxes."
Transcript

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SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, August 27, 1918. There was laid before the Council the application for public service car license of James Dannelly, 1313 Willow Street, Ford car, (factory) No. 1162929, which was granted by vote of 4 yeas, no nays, Councilman Bartholomew being absent. August 26, 1918. The application of George Dannelly, 1313 Willow Street, for public service car license on his Buick car, No. 177590, was laid before the Council and granted by vote of 4 yeas, no nays. V. E. Martin City Clerk SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL: Austin, Texas, August 27, 1918. The Council met with all members present except Councilman Bartholomew. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That without extra pay therefor, the permit heretofore given to Mrs. A. C. Ellis for one Overland five passenger car No. 79 be transferred and made to apply to the same car license for her under the name of Mrs. A. C. Ellis, Guardian. The resolution was passed by vote of 4 yeas, no nays. APPROVED, August 27, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Mayor offered the following resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That permit No. 44 heretofore granted to C. L. Joyce for one Ford car No. 2045928 be transferred and made to apply without payment of extra fee, to Studebaker car No. 27595. The resolution was passed by vote of 4 yeas, no nays. APPROVED, August 27, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. Councilman Anthony offered the following resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: That of the fine and costs, amounting to $39.80, assessed against Jesse Robinson for the offense of vagrancy, in Cause No. 12992, Corporation Court of the City of Austin, the balance of $14.80 remaining unpaid be and the same is hereby remitted. This action is taken in consideration of the fact that, having worked out $25.00 of said fine and costs, the said Jesse Robinson was taken ill in the city jail and upon advice of the City Physician was removed to the City Hospital, where he is now under treatment. The resolution was passed by vote of 4 yeas, no nays. APPROVED, August 27, 1918: A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution: Whereas, the Atlantic Life Insurance Company of Richmond, Virginia, had on deposit certain securities with the Insurance and --- Page break --- 49 Banking Department of the State of Texas during the years 1911 to 1917, inclusive, amounting to the following sums, to-wit: For the year 1911, $6,500.00; For the year 1912, $6,500.00; For the year 1913, $6,800.00; For the year 1914, $7,300.00; For the year 1915, $5,300.00; For the year 1916, $5,300.00; For the year 1917, $5,300.00; and Whereas, said securities have been placed on the supplemental tax rolls for taxation by said city for said years by the Assessor and Collector of Taxes for said city; and Whereas, it now appears to the City Council of the City of Austin, on the advice of its attorneys, that said securities are not properly taxable by the City of Austin; therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the Assessor and Collector of Taxes be and he is hereby directed to cancel on his books the assessment of taxes on and against the securities hereinabove mentioned. The resolution was passed by the following vote: Yeas, Mayor Wooldridge, Councilmen Anthony, Haynes, and Powell, 4; nays none. APPROVED, August 27, 1918; A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Mayor laid before the Council the following resolution: RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS: That the sum of Two Hundred and Thirty-four Dollars and Sixtyseven Cents ($234.67) be and the same is hereby appropriated out of the General Contingent Fund of the City of Austin, Texas, and made payable to J. W. Maxwell, Attorney, in full of fees for collecting delinquent taxes due the City of Austin from the Atlantic Life Insurance Company of Virginia for the years from 1911 to 1917, inclusive, per the attached bill which is made the basis of this appropriation. The resolution was adopted by vote of 4 yeas, no nays. APPROVED, August 27, 1918; A. P. Wooldridge, Mayor. The Council then adjourned. J. T. Martin City Clerk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Handwritten notes: Atlantic Life Ins. Co. Resolution J.W. Maxwell atty's fee