Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1902-04-24
common cou.c,l PROCEEDINGS.

suant to law.
Meeting called to order by His
Honor, Mayor B. T. Prideaux.
Roll call and all aldermen present,
towit Sims, Penhallegon, Weiden-
Teller, Ellery, Kane, Ta.nb!yn, Day
and Engels.
Mayor Prideauxsthen addressed the
council regarding the condition Of
the finances of the city.
Gentlemen: | bag to submit the fol-
lowing report. A year ago the people
entrusted to our care the management
of the city. So far as can learn,
our citizens are satisfied with the
manner in which we have discharged
our trust; and | sincerely hope that
during the official term upon which we
are about to enter we shall be able to
perform the functions of our respect
i've offices with satisfaction to all.
1t is certainly our purpose to give
the city a straightforward, honest,
economical and business-like admins
tration. This the people have right
to expect, and our best efforts should
be exerted in the management of our
city's affairs. Public funds should
always be carefully guarded and eau
tiously expended, keeping in view at
the same time the needs of the city,
and maintaining a proper city gov
eminent.
Mineral Point is essentially a bust
ness city. Our people are orderly
and we'll cared for, and all can find
employment at remunerative wages.
During the official year just ended,
the aggregate receipts of our city
were $40S99.3S, while the disburse-
men.s were s3556S.90
The total present Indebtedness is
$40 600, of which S., 900 was incurred
when the water system was installed
and the other $1,000 is the unpaid
balance of the pulp mill loan.
During the past year there was ex-
pended on streets and sidewalks the
sum of $5,6l6.3S. This amount APP
pears to have been necessary because
of the unsafe condition Of some of our
streets and sidewalks. Our streets
aud sidewalks have been much inn
proved, and in my judgement a less
sum will be sufficient to keep them in
propar condition payt vaar
The sum of $9S0.S1 was expended on
public property. A portion of this
was made necessary in repairing the
vault and building occupied by the
First National Bank, because of the
bank burglary. The council and
committee rooms have been remodel
ed and furnished and put in suitable
condition for occupancy.
The amount paid for electric light
ing is 1883 26.
The total amount expended for
school purposes during the year end
ing in 1892 is S9994 80, which is some
what larger than the previous year,
the increase being due to advance in
teachers salaries and the employment
of one additional instructor in the
schools.
An extension of the water mains has
been made at cost of So, 772.25, of
which 81 ,207.43 was collected from
abutting property owners by special
assessment. This extension affords
protection to considerable portion
of our city which was heretofore un-
protected, ind at the same time sup
an additional number of persons with
city water. During the year just
ended, the city received S732.42 in
water rents, while in the year pre-.
vious the water rents amounted to
1888 10, the increase being due largely
to the action of the council in reouir-
water meters to DO used. In my opin-
opinion, the patrons of the city water
would be better served and better
satisfied if the maximum water rent
were fixed at 40 cents per 1000 gal
Ions instead of so cents, and that such
reduction would insure greater
number of consumers of city water.
would respectfully recommend that
this change be made.
There has been expended for the use
of the fire department the sum of
S6l544. Of this amount the sum of
Sl63.27 was received by way of tax
from the insurance companies doing
business in the city. | wish to speci
ally thank the members of our fire
department individually and collect
lively for their very efficient services
during the year. Their work is COM
mendable in the highest degree. In
fact our fire department would do
credit to city much larger than
ours, and the boys should receive the
best encouragement and hearty CO.
operation Of all our citizens.
| beg to thank also the retiring
members of the council for the cordial
support given by them during the
time | have been rnavor II has in