The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-27
SEATTLE MONEY AFFAIRS.
Detailed Finances of the City for
Last Year.
ESTIMATES OF 1900 EXPENSES.
Increase of 30 Per Cent. Provided
for by Finance Conn ittee-E'ine
Conditions Found by Comptroller
Parry in His Annual Statement
City Owns nearly $1,000, 900 i'm
Realty and Personal Property.


Seattle's financial conditions are elabor-
ately set forth in detail In the annual
report OF city Comptroller Parry for the
calendar year 1888, which has Just been
published. lie takes up the receipts and
disbursements down 10 the minutest de-
tails, covering the apportionment OF the
various funds. the bonded debt and Inter-
est. the conditions OF the 247 Improvement
districts an inventory Of the real and
personal property owned by the city, and
the estimates Of the municipal expenses
for this year
The estimates OF the finance committee
of the city council for the expenses OF
1890 provide for s19l 1904 more than the
OUTLAWS of last year. an increase OF nearly
30 per cont. The bonded debt OF the city
amounts to $3.50, 000 and paying on these
bonds will not be commenced until 1903.
and the final liquidation nine years later.
The revenues OF 1899 amounted TO $9GS,
706ss. Of which 1864 4i7.3s came from tax
levies and 500 30 from local improve
ments. II IS estimated that the reve-
nues from other sources than the tax
levy this year VIII be $4,000 The value
OF the real estate owned by the city is
appraised at s3so.g7sSs, and OF the per-
sonal property and Improvements at ST.
80. ll5.3S, making total of more than
yl.s7i 600
Mr.. Parry finds much cause for gratu-
iation In his figures. which ne says
show the excellent management of city
affairs by the council and executive de-
partment" He presents details of the
enormous business done by the clerical
force, and asks for another employee 10
assist In keeping the records up to date.
lie recommends that an ordinance be
passed fixing the rate OF interest on judg-
fan
per cent.
Mr.. Pnrry's summary.
The comptroler's report has been con-
densed follows;
ut is with pleasure that I cali attention
20 the detailed statements and EXHIBITS
forming this report. since they sh w the
city's obligations to have been promptly
met, the funds to be in good condition,
and what to the taxpayers II OF vital i'm
portance, a low tax levy. While the coun-
~ Or King and school district No. | have
each been Obliged TO add to the millage the
city OF Seattle has been enabled to hold
the rate down 10 the very low one Nstab-
lished In 1893 o. Q mills. This must be an
assurance 70 the taxpayer of excellent
management OF the city's affairs by the
council and the executive department.
IL must not be forgotten, however, that
unusual demands upon tine municipality,
and that economy VII cal FOR an increase
In expenditure In many branches OF the
requires new apparatus, new horses and
= general repair and reservation OF engine
houhts, WIN the addition Of new house
for TIE business district 60 accommodate
on" ot the ftrst-c,as- FIRE engines iust
bought. The nreboat has been In commits
sion FOR more than a decade, and requires
thorough 0vOrhauing More men are
nesded In some Of the Compan. es to make
them efficient. Every dollar OF Iudicious
expenditure IN the FIRE department means
corresponding reduction I'm insurance
rates. which IS another form Of taxation.
THE police department must 10
strengthened to- keep pace with the growth
IN population the health denurtmeut must
have larger appropra tinns 10 perform its
Important duties properly Increased traf-
fic means more work ana expense FOR tho
street department better street iignts and
municipal lighting plant are demanded,
and thus IN every department the growth
of the city Is felt mud Il VIII require rare
Judgment and great hrmucsY on the part
Of the city council and the executive off,
eera 70 draw the lne between proper and
waRteful expenditure.
"a feature of the new tax levy s found
IN the levy ~ ono-hfth Of mill for the
puhlic library. This innovation was gen
hoRinning 20 appreciate the good work OF
tho library, ana who urged that the rev
enues from the licenses. fines and foes
were too uncertain o. basis upon which 20
found such an Institution. A small levy
has also been made necessary Go provide
for the payment for The recently purchas-
ca Woodland mark The levy also pro-
vides for SGoe0 for the purchase or con-
demnatien ~ lands necessary for the pro-
lection ~ the Cedar river water supply
md for the extension % the system Co &c.
dor ake z g should De deemed advisable
liberal allowance has been made for tho
cttNs portion ~ permanent improvements,
s9ch az main sewers. paving Dnd rcteutlou
of the Nsslcr way slide VIVA, 70 10 great
import tnCe, thc citV'H fixed ehnrgps sf I'M
tercst 90 bonded debt are also provided
for.
Enormous Clerical work.