Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-23
UESDAY,...............NOV. 90. 1897.
THE A BOARD.

ihE EfNtN0E BOARD.
The ordinance with reference TO the
creation of a board Of finance for this
city, proposed by the Council Committee
on Charter Changes, has not attracted
as much public attention as its impor-
lance deserves. Yet it deals with a sub
Ject that should interest every tax-paver
here. every officer or employee of Rich
mond, and all persons who are holders
OF our city's bonds. It proposes to or
ganize a board TO handle Richmond's
fiscal affairs in a business way, and TO
give that board such tenure of Of
fee as would assure its having at all
times a majority of experienced MEM
bers.
The first board would be elected" by
the City Council and appointed by the
Mayor-six by the former. three by the
latter. AS terms expired. vacancies
would be filled by the election Of men,
bers by the votes Of the whole city. ex-
cept as TO the three appointed by the
Mayor. And after the first nine. all the
members would be elected or appointed
Tor six years. A man elected or appoint
ed 10 fiji any vacancy would nave to be
from the same ward or same school dis
trict as his predecessor.
IN chief part Of the work of draft
Ing this ordinance has been done by
City-Attorney Meredith, which is a
guarantee that the legal questions in
volved have been carefully looked into
and he has had the advantage Of sug-
gestions from city officials. committee
men, businessmen, and others. So the
measure a now proposed by the COM
mittee represents a vast amount of labor
and professional skill. 1t only remains
for the City Council to give it it's ap-
proval. and then we may be sure the
Legislature will amend our charter. so
as to allow the board to be established.
But will the City Council favor the
proposition? We do not know. 1t will
depend upon what the people wish. And
Will the people favor the idea? We
should think so, for it offers the best
plan yet devised for reducing our city's
hscal affairs TO a business basis and
placing them in the hands of a board
whose membership will not be so muta-
bic as that Of the City Council is. We
hope our readers will at once begin
this subject. and to aid them {
in their investigation we append q I
synopsis of the proposed ordinance. from I
winch any one may see the general
scope Of the scheme: '
l. Composition of the Board-Tbroo 10 +
sons TO be appointed by the Mayor. one +
from each of the three school districts =
OF the city. G
Six persons TO be elected by the vote a
OF the whole city, one TO be from each c
ward of the city. o
a president to be chosen by the board b
from its members. =,
A secretary to- be elected by the board '
Tor a term Of two years, and to be paid 9
q salary. 800 j;
No remuneration is provided for an,
member OF the board.
z. Commencement and Continuatio, 70
he Board.-The Mayor to apnoint tbroa ..
members and the City COUNCIL 10 olect -
TX members. All 10 be seated JuIv "
'"5 y tn
AT the first meeting OF the board the TO
'he members are to be divided by LOT DO
MO three classes OF three each. 10 serve In
Wo' FOUR and six years, respectively o.,
Nhy vacancy occurring otherwise than a.,
y expiration Of a term To be filled bv 10
he board until the next biennial munic, The
election. II among those elected ana
be hlled by the Mayor, If among thosa i.
ppointed, in both cases Tor unexnired ID,
only, pN
vacancies occurring by expiration % w
nm TO be filled at election by the whole en-
ny, at the election next preceding tbe ]
no or their term, II elected member ind
nd by the Mayor, II appointed member 100
III elected or appointed members 70 ~,
rye six years. oul
3. Provisions and observation-disclosures is
oiding any Office. position. or ennlov-
ent under city. State. or United states NJ
oFernment ineligible. Election an All
intment, or nomination. not refused 70,
any member OF the board shall he
lpso facto to have vacated his LAY
'sition. Members may be removed for a c
use py Council. Five shall he a was
Tor ordinary business. but seven the
ust be present TO appropriate money onn
increase the debt. Board shall have -,
control during the year 1895. but NAV F'
axe up the budget. etc. etc. for 1sga .
must make up the budget by De. ~
ipoer lst Of each year for the newt me
AZ Must give a lump sum 10 each da cres
, rso. or OBJECT. subject to subdiyis- of J
: ~ inc Council. May set aside resi-.
~oohtlnsent fund, TO be appropr,ated
"se'ssi'y arises. May grant or re- -.
~ 'equests for new or Additional an N'
ep,'otiohs. May specify how m,sch =, doll
"unuai appropriation nav be snen, IL 4
40 Indebtedness In excess don.