Municipal Finances General

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Towns and cities always had to look after their budgets, so they collected taxes, customs duties, tolls and ‘ungelt’ goods tariffs. The most common form of tax was paid twice a year, in an amount dependent on the assets of each respective citizen. Fees and taxes were levied on the economic activities, sales of goods, or services provided by the city’s inhabitants.
Another source of civic revenue was money made by the City Council or the City Court for the making of contracts, documents, records, and other routine activities. The treasury also collected money from interest payments, fines, building funds, loans and various rents and feudal dues. Written records were maintained of all revenues.
The City Council allocated funds for the purchase of real estate, paid the nobility for defence and security, invested in schools, civic cultural development, churches, administration, salaries of city officials, construction, operation and maintenance of municipal buildings.

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