Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-04-11
MAYORS MESSAGE.

my duty, now that you are about TO com
mence upon new year, to make such ref
erence to the action Of your predecessots
as may assist you in the discharge Of your
duties. The members of the last Council
labored faithfully, earnestly, and intelli.
gently in the discharge of every duty, striv-
ing, at all times, 10 promote the interests OF
their constituents. Harmony and good
fellowship characterized their official inter-
course, aud embrace this opportunity to
thank them, in behalf of the citizens Of
the Village, for their sacrifice Of time and
labor in the service of the public.
VILLAGE FINANCES.
When your predecessors came into Office
one year ago, they found the village EN-
barrassed by Indebtedness, bonded and float
ing, to quite large amount. There was
no money on hand to pay interest due or
or for the redemption Of matured bonds.
A large amount of corporation orders we're
afloat in community, which could not be
converted into cash without sacrifice Of
from twenty to twenty-five per cent. The
Council could not purchase anything or
employ labor, without paying an average
of about thirty-three per cent. above cash
prices. A large number OF claims, some of
them quite large, contracted by their pre-
decessors, were outstanding and left for
them to audit and pay. The tax levy Of
the preceding year had been small with
out any corresponding reduction in expen-
ditures. This placed the new Council in
nm unpleasant situation-saddled with an
Indebtedness OF no small magnitude, credit
impaired, and no money provided for meet
ing outstanding obligations They found
in 10 III, f.,,
ing nearly one.half the village indebted
ness during their term of office. How to
do this, was the question which demanded
the serious and earnest consideration Of tue
Council There were two methods pre-
scented for accomplishing the result: LIST,
to issue new bonds and extend the time Of
payment; I'd, to levy the highes. practical
bic rate OF taxes, pay maturing obligations,
and thereby save ~ much as possible in
interest. The last method was agreed upon,
and | think every candid aud well in
formed citizen must approve of the policy
adopted, although the taxes were heavy.
By pursuing this policy, bonds have been
cashed when due and interest has been paid
promptly, thus establishing the credit OF
the Village and placing our bonds at par.
The floating Indebtedness was so great
that it could not be wiped out hy the linn
tied levy authorized by law. Il was left
for the Council to say whether they should
fund the floating orders by issuing in their
stead eight per cent. bonds, or continue to
keep ahoat this irredeemable and greatly
deprecated paper, which was resulting in
nm addition OF about thirty-three per cent.
to current expenses. 1t was decided to pay
these orders as far as possible and to fund
the balance. So successful have been these
81, L., 1
ders amounting in the aggregate to but lit
tie over one hundred dollars and the VIII
lage is standing fairly upon a cash basis
The actual reduction Of the Indebtedness
of the Village, as compared with one year
ago, has been between $4,000 and $4,000,
perhaps about the last sum named ii we
include all claims due and unsettled at
the commencement Of the year.
ON SOLID GROUND.
Now, at the commencement OF this new
year, you viii Find the bonded indebtedness,
which is substantially our only indebted
ness, provided for as it falls due, until an
other levy can he made. You can pay the
interest conpOrs as they become due and
take up such Of the bonds as mature prior
to receipts from the levy which you will
be required TO make Tor the last half OF
J.,
substantially no other indebtedness. There
are orders outstanding to the amount Of
perhaps Sl25, while the unsettled sHtstand-
ing claims are very small in amount. You
are, therefore, placed in charge OF the Viii
i"se finances under eireums,Nnesa ca icula-
ted to relieve you from much of the en-
| barrassment and labor experienced by your
immediate predecessors.
THE TAX LEVY.
II will be your duty, in making your
levy, to provide for the payment OF such
bonds as may mature during the remainder
OF the present y ear and for 1880. There will
probably be realized, at the June collec-
ton of-taxes, about $4,000 to the debt fund,
and, in ahdi ion to this you will see, by
reference TO the Clerks Bond book, that it
will be necessary for you to provide for
about 1000 OF Indebtedness maturing dur
| ing the time mentioned. The same ques-
ton which the last Council were called up.
| on to consider will come before you, to-wit
| Shall we reduce our levy for all other pur-
poses and make the largest possible levy,
consistent with public interest, for the debt
| fund, or shall we issue new bonds for por-
| ton OF the maturing debt and extend the
time Of payment? Upon this subject
shall not venture suggestion, preferring
to leave the settlement of the question to
your own judgement as 10 the best policy
TO be pursued. Forcible reasons may be
| presented upon either aide of the proposi.
lion, and have not a doubt but you will
properly consider the subject in all of its
bearings and act wisely and well your part
REDUCTION OF EXPENSES.
Your immediate predecessors Iabored tc
secure reduction OF current expenses, and
| have the pleasure of announcing that
their efforts in that direction were crowned
with gratifying success. Many abuses had
crept into the management OF our village
affairs, largely increasing annual expenses
as compared with former years, and where
such things exist il is difficult to remove
the evil at once. The former Council ac-
complished much, but there is room for still
further effort in the direction of economy
To show you something Of what has been
accomplished during the past year in the
reduction of current expenses, permit m,
to call your attention to few facts. Ful
the year 1877, the expenses for lighting tn,
street lamps, by contract, and the amount
paid to the Marshal. was, in the aggregate
81, 1880. In 1873, including Sl69.Si
paid tor gasoline fixtures for stree
lamps, the expense of lighting the streeti
and paying the Marshal, amounted Il
S752.5l. Deduct from this the gasolin,
burners on hand, Sl59.S5, and We have tn,
actual cost, S50266 making a saving tC
the Village of S60l,24. Tho expenses up
on streets and sidewalks for 1878 were abou
5000 against 81 800 for 1877, decrease o
S4OO, making total saving to the Nillag
of 81 COL "a in these two items lone. Ad,
to this the reduction in other matters, tn,
stopping of interest by paying off bond
and the saving secured by paying cash 70
material and labor, together with lumbe
and tools now on hand to the value of 500
to $500 and the aggregate amount save,
to he corporation will be materially in
creased.
The levy for Street purposes last yea
was light and it will be your duty to kee
the expenditures in that direction withil
your means, il possible. This NAV