Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-30
AFFAIRS At SOUTH OMAHA
Kew Fiscal Year Nay Find the Levy
Ordinance Passed.
NINE MILLS SEEM THE LIKELY FIGURE
Eaort May ne Made 90 Have IL only
Eight. bat Councilmen Arc Op-
posed-Chnrter Changes
suggested.

The city's fiscal year commences on July
is and after that date the 1902 levy and
appropriation become available. II II is so
desired by the city fathers the levy and
appropriation ordinances may be introduced
at the meeting Monday night. This VIII
bring the report Of the committee in at the
session on the night of July z and the final
passage Of the two ordinances can be com
Melted by July IA, or sooner IL desired.
CounciImen Adkins, Frederick and Welsh
compose the finance committee and upon
them will devolve the work OF reporting
on the amounts needed in the various
funds and determining the amount OF the
levy. However, with the present valuation
Il is assured that the levy will hardly ex-
coed mills. 1t is understood that an eff
fort will be made to keep the levy down
to 8 mills.
In this connection a prominent business
man said last night: "In my opinion the
increase in the valuation and the reduction
OF the levy will prove a great benefit
TO South Omaha When investors come
here to look the city over about the first
thing they ask is the valuation and the
amount Of the levy. With a valuation
somewhere near what is right and a low
levy ! predict that it will be an easy mat
ter in the future to dispose Of South Omaha
securities
Even with the amount OF money allowed
by charter to defray expenses there will
most likely be an overlap for the reason
that the appropriation for the fire and po-
lice departments is so small. Those who
framed the charter evidently did not make
any provision for the growth Of the city
and the consequent demands for more fire
hydrants, better fire and police protection
and additional street lights. 1t Is UNDER
stood that when the legislature convenes
again It will be requested to make GER
tain changes in the charter in order that a
,suficient amount may be levied to pay run
hing expenses for a year without coming
out with an overlap. With the amount al
lotted to the Are department 1t will be i'm
possible to purchase a fire engine, or, In
fact. equipment of any kind, unless 1t be
some hose, which is badly needed. Mayor
Koutsky is preaching economy to every
employe of the city and he expects to get
along with less money than was formerly
expended.
street Repairs.
BY the provisions Of the present charter
the council is permitted to levy only $4,000
a year for street repair purposes. On &C
count OF the small levy there is always a
deficit in this fund. Rains wash out re-
Gently graded streets and fills and the street
force is kept constantly at work making
repairs on unpaved streets. No attention
has been paid so far this year to the paved
streets.
This matter most likely will be taken
up soon by the mayor and council and ar
rangements made for repairs on the Twenty
fourth street pavement. This street is
now in worse condition than 1t has been
for a long time and as soon as money Is
available 1t is probable that a contract for
thorough repairs will be let. Out Of the
money appropriated last year for the re-
pairs on Twenty-fourth street pavement
the sum Of $500 remains in the fund and
this amount will be applied this year on
the repairs to be made. While no meas
urements have been made by the engineer
TO determine the cost of repairs II is esti-
mated that II will take about 81 800 to place
the pavement In proper condition this sum-
mer. Some OF the brick pavement on L
street between Twenty-hfth and Twenty
seventh streets needs repairing, but the N
street pavement is In very good condition.
1t is thought that with a little economy
the amount on hand August 1 will be
enough to last until winter sets in, but
then there will be no money for repairs next
spring.
workman Temple Assured.
II was announced yesterday that the pro-
posed Ancient Order OF United Workmen
temple to be erected at Twenty-hfth and
M streets is now an assured success. Those
in charge OF the building assert that the
plans are about completed. At a meeting
of the directory Friday night, September
was set as the date for the laying of
the cornerstone. Enough stock has been
sold. so the building committee says, to
warrant the setting OF a date for the cor
nerstone laying. The lodges OF the order
here are taking hold Of the enterprise with
commendable zeal. Some evening this weel
committees of the various workmen lodges
will meet for the. purpose Of arranging
plans for a grand celebration on septem-
Der /. A number of the leading officers OF
the order will be invited to attend the
This will be followed by q
picnic at Syndicate park. While no def
mite plans have been made for the picnic
II was agreed by the directors that there
would be speaking and sports OF various
kinds, Lodges in Omaha and Council
Bluffs will be invited to take an active
part and invitations will be sent to all
Of the lodges OF the order In the state.
Delinquent Taxes.
On July 1 the second half Of the 1901 taxes
become delinquent. From that time on In.
terest will be charged at the rate of / pei
cent a month. City Treasurer Howe said
yesterday that taxes had been coming II
rapidly within the last few days and thaI
there are fewer delinquents on regular
taxes at this time than for many year.
past. 1t was stated by the treasurer tina
the majority OF those who are delinquent Al
this time are in the habit Of mailing checks
and he expects to receive these payments
nm Mondav