The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-01-23
SOURCE OF PROFIT
Waterworks System Shows
$1,000 Net Gain.
Annual Report OF the President of the
Board OF Public Works a Most
Favorable One.
From Fridays Daily.

From Fridays Daily.
President Porter of the board of pub
lie works, who is practically water COM
missioner of the city, will submit the an
nual report of the waterworks depart
ment to the council tonight. The inan-
cial showing, as is to be expected, is bet
ter than ever before. The cash receipts
over the expenditures were $2,5l0.45,
which is very gratifying, and proves that
municipal ownership can be a success if
properly managed.
There are two sources of receipts. From
water rents and sales, the sum of $l2,-
|930.53 was realized during the year, and
|Sl,779.09 from the five cent frontage tax,
making a total of $l4,709.62.
The expenditures at the pumping sta
ton were $2,29S.60 for fuel, 5000 for
salaries, and $370s6 for supplies and re-
pairs, a total of $4,679.46. There was
paid out for repairs and maintenance of
the system $l,4S5.62, for pumping for
the Chicago & North Western railway
tank $3.50, and for interest on bonds
$4,005. This makes a total of all ex-
The cash receipts for water rents and
sales over expenditures were $2,5l0.45,
to which the receipts from the frontage
tax must be added, $l,779.O9, making a
total net cash balance. in favor of the
city of $4,2S9.54. In addition to this
the city receives water free, a conserva-
tive estimate of the value of which is as
follows: Water for l45 hydrants at $35
a year each, $5,075; water for street
sprinkling, $500; water for seven
watering troughs, 81 900; water for the
fountain at Lincoln park, SIS; water for
six drinking fountains, $50; water at the
city hall, $25; water at Sibley park, SIS;
water at central fire station, $50, a total
of SS,4l0.
If to the cash profits of the system is
added the total that the city would
have to pay for water used for munich
pal purposes in case the plant was own
ed by a private corporation, the total net
benefit which the city has received from
the plant the past year would foot up to
$l0,920.45.
The increase of receipts from water
rents and sales during the year 1902 over
those of 1901 were $959.37. The number
of water takers is now 81, 066. The in
crease in the receipts from the five cent
frontage tax was $379.Sl. The decrease
in the expenditures for the year 1902
We're S676.24 as compared with the pre-
vious year.
The number of meters in use is l49.
The number of gallons of water pun
ped during the year was 81 $3.50 600, a de-
crease of 1881 900 gallons from the year
precious. This is probably owing to the
wet summer and consequent small
amount of water needed for lawn
sprinkling, as well as the smaller
amounts needed for street sprinkling.
The cost, of the water plant to date
has been $12l ,O5l.57, and the amount of
water bonds outstanding is $s7 600.
During the past year, the amount ex-
pended for water main extensions was
$6,7S2.46.
The cash in the city treasury Jan. LIST,
1903, to the credit of the waterworks
fund was $6,102.7S.
The report of President Porter is a
credit to him as well as to the city. The
fact that the plant is paying SO well is
in part due to his energy in keeping the
collections up. 1t is no small task to col
lect water rent in advance from over one
thousand consumers.
The tax payers have a right to feel
proud of the showing made by the water
system. Its purchase was a wise move,
as time has demonstrated. If managed
with the same care and prudence in the
future as in the immediate past, the sys-
TEN will become more and more a source
of revenue to the city. After the bonds
have been paid off, the water rates can
safely be lowered.