The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1900-03-29

against the general IunQ, IN WHICH
there is but $40, a deficit in that,
1.-THE only working available fund
for current expenses. Of over
$500.
1t is true that the water works.
maintenance fund has $f,425 to its
credit, but there are outstanding
UNPAID orders for 1892 against
this fund, leaving balance of less
than $500. From this fund must
be paid the water power rent of
$50 a month, the cost of maintain
ling and extending the plant; and
Into it goes the water rentals and
the special levy of 81, 500 for the
year, and for several years past it
has closed with a deficit. There is
nothing to be Borrowed" from this
fund for city expenses.
rheWater works bond and interest
fund shows balance Of $1,725 of
which 81 1000 was raised by special
levy for the purpose Of paying the
past due bond which now amounts
to $1,O35 with its accrued interest,
reducing it to 1888. In September
next another bond of 81 900 will be
due and the accrued interest on the
$4,000 still unpaid, or 1859. The
July apportionment which will be
in the neighborhood of say 500
liberal estimate will practically
exhaust this fund. No relief for
the general fund can be anticipated
from that source.
The railroad bond and interest
fund has $438 to its credit and the
July apportionment will probably
add $3.50 to that, making SoS8, out
of which the semi-annual interest
on $4,000 at 5 per cent. must be
paid. This will leave balance in
that fund of s438, as at present.
This is, as indicated, special fund
"a trust fund, in fact raised to
apply to the redemption of the
bonds when due. That fact, how
ever, has not stood in the way of
its use to meet current expenses,
however, wrong in principle. 1t
will be seen, therefore, that there
is an actual deficit, after providing
for fixed charges now due and to
become due, of not less than $1,000
nor more than $500, and that
after crediting the funds with all
that will come into them. How
about the general fund? 1t now
has balance of $40 to its credit,
with $3,5o8 drawn against it,
present deficit of $500. In July
there will be received for saloon
licenses $4,000. and from balance
of the tax levy for the year about
$3.50, total of $3.50. Deduct
ing the unpaid orders charged to
this fund and there will remain
balance of $3.50, out of which the I
city must be run for the ensuing
year, or floating debt must be
contracted. 1t is evident that it is
absolutely impossible TO do this, of
course. The single items of cleo
trio lights and regular police service
amounts to 1882 a month or quite
$2,184, not enough left to pay the
salaries of the city attorney and
the clerk.
From what source then is to come
the money for the poor, for streets,
for the health department, for
assessing and equalizing the tax,
for elections, for care of the park,
for the fire department, for interest
on the$oOOO court house and bridge
bonds; for the thousand and one
things that must inevitably be paid
under any circumstances, even
though no new work of any kind be /
undertaken? Our city never be-
fore has been in such financial
straits. 1t is not bankrupt; it'll
never will be-; but this "high pres
sure" policy cannot be indefinitely
Avery materiaBinerease
of direct taxatioH is inevitable.
No escape from it is apparent.
Our present council reelected will
feel its improvident policy endorsed
and will continue ii, fairly inferring
that it is what the city wants as
expressed at the polls. Consider
these matters very carefully before
election. Every tax payer and
citizen is directly interested. It
will be up to them on Tuesday
next.