The record-union., 1899-09-03
ONE DOLLAR THIRTY CENTS
TRUSTEES FIXED THE TAX
LEVY LAST NIGHT.
Two Items Changed, But the
Rate Is as Reported by the
Board of Estimates.

At the meeting of the Board of Trus-
tees last night to fix the tax levy
Trustees Mckay, Douglas, Paine, DO
Ian, .Tebbets, Kent, Brown and DeVlne
We're present.
Clerk Desmond read the report of the
Board of Estimates, which has been
printed in the "Record-Union, ana
which provides for a tax levy OF SI.oo.
Dolan said that the people of the
Eighth and Ninth Wards are anxious
to have a sewer on Twentieth street,
from f to n. to accommodate the resi-
dents of that part of the city he
moved, therefore. that cents be add
ed to the levy for the sewer fund, MAX
ing il 13 cents.
Mayor Land said the Board of Esti-
mate had figured very carefully on the
needs of the city. Next year the sewer
system will be submitted to the people
for bonding, and he did not think it
wise to build the sewer asked for at
present, as it might not fit the rest of
the city sewer system, and City Sur
veyor Mullenney thinks the Twentieth
street sewer is not large enough now.
Dolan said he did not propose to leave
the matter to the mercy of the veto Of
the next Mayor. The people of the
Ninth Ward have no sewer north of N
street and are entitled to one, as they
have helped pay for the down town
sewers. He insisted on his motion.
Brown wanted the tax rate kept
down to $1.30. He was willing, how
ever, to take , cents off the Is cents
for bond redemption fund and make it
up next year. He asked City Auditor
Young if it would make any difference.
Mr.. Young said there was no telling
how many bonds might be presented
next year, and the Board of Estimates
had thought best to provide for them,
to save trouble and comply with the
law He thought there would be
surplus in the general fund that would
build the sewer and could be used for
that purpose.
Dolan said the Fire Department fund
was short over 1000 now. If the sur
plus was taken from the general fund
the other funds would suffer. The
sewer would cost about $1,000.
Auditor Young said they would if
the Trustees spent money as reckless
ly as in the past.
in this levy for the purchase of a TO-,
000 900 gallon pump for the water
works He advocated building the sew
ers by direct tax levy and was in favor
of Dolan's motion. The sewers could
be built that way in six or seven years
and save interest.
Tebbets thought the board should act
in a businesslike manner and not be
-. IN1 n,~;+f f,srz FCw
ton. This is the most penurious city
in the State in the expenditure of
money and has nothing it wants. If
the city wants to advance it must
spend money. The board wants to re-
duce taxes, but it should not fix a
very low rate this year and have to
raise it next year The city needs more
and pure water and - per cent. of the
citizens demand it. They demand also
that good sewers be built and are en-
titled to it. The Mayor and Board of
Estimate have made no provision in
this levy for any needed improvements.
The board should proceed in a business
like manner and give the people what
they ask. They want water and pro-
lection from fire. The city Jail is
rotten affair and is not provided for in
this levy He was in favor of bonds
The present generation has paid the
bonded debt of the preceding one. Why
should not their children do likewise
in paying for their needs.
Collector Robinson said that the
Board of Estimates had not considered
the water and sewer questions, as they
We're to be submitted to the people
next year.
Mayor Land said he had a compro-
mise to suggest. 1t was to take /
cent off the library fund and l off the
street fund. This, with 312 cents sur
plus in the general fund, would build
the sewer.
Paine was opposed to taking any
thing from these funds.
Kent was opposed to building a sewer
on Twentieth street when it was pro-
posed to build a whole sewer system.
The people this side of Fifteenth street
are very well satisfied now and if the
people above are given a sewer they
will not vote for a complete system.
Dolan's motion was carried. Kent and
Mckay voting no, and the sewer tax
was fixed at II cents
Paine said that the citizens were
pleased with the Improvement of the
street plaza. He asked that ~
cents be added to the estimate for the
general fund, in order to put a sidewalk
around the City Plaza on Twenty
eighth street, p and @.
Devine thought it could be done with
out any addition.
r. T. Devlin said the residents of
that part of the city thought the city
should make the sidewalks of its
squares passable before it demands
that the citizens beyond them make
improvements in sidewalks and streets
Mayor Land opposed raising the levy
and the motion was lost.
Douglas moved that 2S cents be add
ed to the general fund to purchase an
engine for the waterworks, to cost $50,
600.
Trustee Bentley not being present
and Trustee Paine being obliged to
leave the meeting, Trustee Tebbets
moved that the board adjourn until
Tuesday a+ - -,