The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1897-02-20


per annum add the interest to this
amount, and, assuming that, prior
to the year 1896 the cost OF water
was the same, We have about
$4,000 per annum for the water
supply. This amount will pay IN
terest at 8 per cent. on about So
10000, which sum would be more
than sufficient by s25,ooo.oo to
construct and equip a most mag
nifcent water supply. Hence the
necessity and the importance or the
city owning its own water supply
must be very evident from bare
inspection of these figures. | see
no means by which the city can
possibly escape from the payment
of this enormous tribute exacted
from them, because they have en-
tered into a contract which they
have become bound by, and which
they have agreed to pay for a
period of twenty-five years, with
the further privilege that, if the
city did not see fit to purchase at
the expiration of the time men
toned in the contract, they should
have the additional period granted
to them of five years, practically
making it thirty years from the
date of the contract that was en-
tered into and received the ap-
proval of the city on September 8,
1887. The old ordinance, bearing
date of September 8, 1887, was re
enacted and enlarged September ?,
1890; but | take it that it will not
be contended that the privilege will
extend the period of time to date
from the re-enactment of 1890, but
have relation to the date of the
contract when first made, Septem-
|. Der 8, 1887. This might become
important for the consideration of
such members of the council who
hold over during the year 1898, for,
by the provisions of the ordinance
September 2, 1890, Section 7, the
city, for certain considerations, is
to exempt the water company
from municipal taxes on its water
works and stock, or earnings, for a
period of ten years from the pass
age and acceptance of this ordi-
nance; and if it is to be held that
the ordinance referred to in the
section dates from September 2;
1890, instead of September 8, 1887,
it will have the effect of further ex-
empting them from taxation for
three years after this year. The
increased amount of expense for
water supply has largely arisen
from the extension and increase OF
water hydrants in the city; and, as
every portion of the city now seems
to be fully provided for as to water
supply against fire, | should be very
slow to increase any further extern
sion of the mains or hydrants.
LIGHTS.
For electric lights we find that
the city has expended during the
year 1896 the sum of S2,738.oo. On
this question | desire to call your
attention to the provisions of an
act of the legislature approved
June 2, 1893, providing the manner
in which the council of any city or
town in this state shall be author
lied and empowered to enter into
any agreement with any gas, cleo
trio light or water company for
lighting their streets or construct
ing water works in the city limits
The act especially provides that
any such agreement shall be rati
fed by the majority vote of the
"freeholders of such city or town
voting at an election to be held fo1
that purpose. You will note that,
by the provisions of this act, not
the "qualifed electors, but free
holders-those who pay the taxes
those who own, in their own right
real estate within the corporate
limits of the city of Ocala only
are qualified to vote at such al
election. This is a wise provision
of the law, but it seems to have
escaped the attention Of the csun
Gil, and has never been observed IL
any manner. There IS now pend
ing a bill for an injunction against
the city to restrain the collection Of
taxes, and among other grounds O
the complaint is the charge thai
there is being assessed against the
property of the complainant al
illegal tax for electric lights. 1
would leave the city in very awk
ward and embarrassed position if
Just at such time as its revenue
should be coming in, some of tn
citizens Or anN number of them