The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-01-17

for Another Year May StralGnten
the Finances Out.
Vice President Petersen called the
special meeting of the council Tues
dayt1ight to order, in the absence of
Mayor Weaver. Only one alderman
was absent. Aid. Petersen explain
ed that the meeting had been called
for the purpose of considering the con-
ditiOn of the city finances.
City Recorder Smith had report
prepared, showing the condition Of
the various funds, and it was read by
III. W. Brown, owing to the hoarse-
ness of the recorder.
Aid. Andrews said that the local
improvement fund sShould be subject
to more care, as the deficiency now
amounts to about $4,000. He asked
who knew how much of this was in
judgment Gen. Pope said that he
thought that about half the amount
is in judgment, but the treasurer's
books would show. Capt. Beatty ex-
planned that the matter passes out of
the hands of the board of public
works when the warrants are placed
in the treasurer's hands. 1t was
said that none of the accounts had
been placed in Judgment as
soon as they could be. The assess
ments are not leins upon land as
against an innocent purchaser, unless
placed in judgment. There had been
an instance of this last week when
the purchaser of property refused to
pay an assessment not in Judgment.
Aid. Lille said that something
ought to be done to collect the taxes
on the cement works. He thought
that the officials should be more
strict in collecting assessments.
Engineer Haynes said that some of
the taxes were owed by non-residents.
Aid. Andrews said that there was
quite an expense in cleaning out
privy vaults and burying dead ami
mails. 1t was explained that this
work was done by the health board.
Some of these bills had been referred
to the city attorney for collection,
but it was thought that he had not
done much, yet. One alderman call
ed attention to the fact that the
charter requires the city attorney to
be present at meetings. 1t was said
that Mr. Pfau was in New Uim.
1t was stated that some prominent
citizens. don't pretend to pay their
assessments.
President Beatty said that he ex-
pected to make his annual.report next
Saturday night as required by the
charter. The water rents were
pretty well collected up, He said
that in twelve years the lineal tax
of ten cents foot ought to pay prin-
cipal and interest on the cost of
water mains. The showing for the
year is favorable one.
Engineer Haynes said that the
1000 feet of water mains constructed
last year cost an average of SLOT a
foot, so that in ten years they would
be paid for.
President Beatty said that the city
is fortunate in having SO excellent an
engineer at the pumping station. He
keeps everything right up, and there
is no city in the country that has it's
water so cheaply pumped as Mankato.
Aid. Petersen asked General Pope
to state how much the city has &C
tually run ahead of it's available re-
sources. Gen. Pope said that it would
take several hours of work to be pre-
pared to d. this. The tax levy for
the water mains and sprinkling
should be counted in the valid assets.
These are not shown on the books,
as they should be. The special i'm
provement assessments arealso to be
figured in.
Engineer Haynes said that the tax
levy for water mains frontage was
SO, 241, SO, sidewalks 1896. IA, and sprink-
ling S2,474.74.
Aid. Petersen said that the alder
men should have a better undo rStand
ing of the status of the city treasury
and the various funds. He did not
- DAmW