The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-20
TAX RATE FOR 1895
MAYOR DOES NOT THINK INCREASE
IN PRESENT LEVY NECESSARY.
Cabinet Meeting Discusses the Esti-
mates and Proposed New System
of Municipal bookkeeping.

Inc regular meeting or the Mayors caD-
met was held at his residence last night.
The principal business considered by the
meeting was the estimates of the probable
expenses of the city next year. There will
be some changes made in the way of esti-
mating the expenses so as to have each de-
partment include in its estimate the ex-
penses of all institutions and buildings I'M
der its management or control. When this
plan has been adopted new system of
bookkeeping will be used by which it will
be possible to tell the exact expense of any
one department at the end of the year
Heretofore a large part of the expense Of
maintaining the city's public institutions
has fallen upon the Board of Public
Works, and the employees under the other
departments had no reason to practice
economy, as neither they nor the depart
ment in which they were employed re-
ceived the credit for the economy.
AS yet nothing has been done in any Of
the departments towards estimating the
probable expense of the department. for
the coming year. This work will be begun
at once and the result will be presented to
the next cabinet meeting, TO be held on
Aug. 10. This will be five days before the
last Council meeting in August, which will
before they are presented to the Council
and enable the Council to pass the appro-
prlation ordinance in time for the begin
ming of the city year on Sept 1. The as
sessable property in Marion county this
year will be $104, 100000 an increase of ST.
600, OO0 The Mayor said he did not think it
would be necessary to increase the present
levy of so cents If economy was practiced
IN Al. A. xx-il1 bo tryO
new engine houses to be built next year,
which expense is TO be considered in max
ing the estimates, but the Mayor thought
it was possible that enough might be
saved to pay for these. Controller Trusler
said that the city was 100000 better off
now than ii was at this time last year,
as it then had an outstanding temporary
loan for that amount.
Mr. Kramer, of the Board of Public
Works, said that one-fourth OF the money
allowed to the board for street repairs had
been paid out in fixing up streets where
had not restored the street 10 its former
condition. The Mayor said the city had
paid $4,000 in repairing streets after they
had been torn up by the natural gas and
water companies. 1t was recommended that
an ordinance be prepared providing for the
repair Of the streets by the street COM
missioner, and charging the expense TO
the neglectful contractors and retaining
the from Of fh eran4n dTe
for worthy persons who may be, unable
TO secure it next winter was also dis
cussed at the meeting, and the members
of the Board of Public Works said they
were holding back three big sewer con-
tracts to be let this winter for the pur-
pose Of furnishing employment The police
will be instructed to secure the names OF
all worthy persons who may need the en-
ployment. and care will be taken that
buns" and agitators are not given any
work.
Mayor Denny called the attention of the
cabinet to the fact that there We're sew
eral amendments 10 the charter that were
needed, without specifying in what par
ticular. He requested the members of the
different departments TO make notes OF
such changes would probably be for
the better and bring them before future
meeting of the cabinet After they are
presented to the cabinet they Will be sub
mitted to the city attorney and prepared
for submission to the Legislature.
A report was made upon the condition
of Greenawn cemetery, showing that most
of the bodies had been removed from the
vaults by the undertakers, and that the
few remaining ones would be removed
within a short time.
Controller Trusler called attention to the
fact that by a contract made by the Sulli-
van Board of Public Safety the city was
paying $50 month rent for the small lot
south of the police station. This would
almost pay for the lot within few years
He recommended that the city buy the lot