Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-20
NEW PAVING BILL.
Is Said to Bridge All Existing
Difficulties.
IT PROVIDES FOR A COMMISSION
Commission, However, Will be APP
pointed Under the Provisions of
Another Bill After Matter is
Thoroly Investigated,

AAAUAOAy l..
The formulation Of a paving law that
will be in harmony with thesrecent de-
|cision of the higher courts. has trou-
bled the legislators at Des Moines
very much, But "a measure has been
introduced with the object in view
of distributing the cost of paving
and other special improvements
in a more equitable way among
the Taxpayers. The senate committee
on cities and towns has been wrest-
ling with the proposition, and It's sub
committee, charged with drafting the
necessary bill has completed it's work
and agreed upon a measure which pro-
vides that in no case shall the taxes
for special improvements exceed 25 per
cent OF the value of the lot or land
against which the assessment is levied.
The entire committee is said to be in
favor of the bill, which is intended,
it is said, to bridge over the difficulty
now existing until the special assess
ment law can be thoroly revised and
brought in complete harmony with the
decisions of the courts, which have
oSSiolSA IIQU llC lIOllU lOON Iult vi
assessing is unconstitutional. It is said
that this bill will be endorsed by the
committee on cities and towns and
sent to the senate early next week.
In the opinion of some Ottumwa
lawyers this bill framed by the sub.
committee for the relief Of cities who
desire to pave, but cannot under the
existing order of things, to sell paw
ing bonds and other special assessment
securities without any controversy
with corporations who now absolutely
refuse to take the securities.
Provides for a Commission.
Another important matter connected
with the law is the present lack of a
commission to determine the benefits
that might be derived by reason Of an
improvement such assis contemplated
in the law. Senator Trewin3 has. pre-.
pared, a bill providing for the appoint
nent OF a special assessment
commission composed of three
Senators and three represent.
~atives, who shah be appointed by the
lieutenant governor and the speaker OF
the house. This commission will be in
|structed to make. a special study of the
special assessment problem and report
a bill to the next general assembly in
order that the revision OF the special
assessment statutes may be complete
and intelligent. 1t is said that the bill
is meeting with favor and that suel
a commission will ultimately be ap.
pointed.
Torrefer to the original bill. Per
sons interested in paving law legisla
ltion in this city, are not yet in receipt
of "a copy of the proposed measure
The same is given below:
The Bill.
Section /. Where any city OF towr
I%council or board of public works levies
any special assessment for any public
improvement against. any lot or tract
OF land, the same shall be in proper
ton to, the. special benefits conferred
| upon the property thereby and not il
excess of such benefits. Such assess
ment shall not exceed 25 per centun
of the actual value of the lot or tract
at the time of levy.
Sec. 9. If the special assessment,
which may be levied against any lot
or tract of land shall be insufficient te
pay the cost of the improvement the
deficiency shall be paid out OF the gen
eral fund provided for in subdivision
2 of section 1854 of the code. If there
be property against which no specia
assessment car be levied, the proper,
ton of such assessment belonging tx
such property shall be paid in like
manner.
Sec. 3. So far as applicable sections
S21, s222, S23, S24, 500 and 500 of the cod,
shall govern all special assessment
made i'll cities and towns unless other
wise specially provided. Upon appea
the court shall determine all questions
Including that of benefits to the prop
erty assessed.
Sec. 4. Nothing in this act shall b,
construed TO interfere with the enforce
lment OF the provisions Of chapter SO.
and S35 of the code.
Sec. $. This act shall apply to cities
acting under special charter.
THE MERIT SYSTEM.
Warden Hunter Discusses Method O.
.f-HEF 10 Nsr.HG,c- 1HhErAT