Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-04-09
THE CITY FINANCES.


In FEBRUARY last | presented To your
honorable body a statement of estimated
expenses and receipts for the present
year. If we can keep our current cx-
penscs within the estimates. and this can
and should be done, and if no unusual
expenditures of considerable amount are
incurred II tax of one hundred and fifty
cents or the dollar of the grand list will
cover our necessary appropriations for
tho year and provide for the sinking fund.
| should not favor increasing our rate
of taxation except under quite oXtraord-
nary circumstances, for l have come TO
look upon this rate which has prevailed
with us for the past eight years. as about
our normal tax rate. ! should rather ia
vor a moderate increase in our floating
debt in given year if necessity required.
trusting t. an increase in our property
valuation together with the increased re-
ceipts from licenses and a forced de-
crease of expenditures o. @. going with
out some things which are Injuries rath-
CT than necessities to decrease this debt
Altogether ! do not consider a small
floating debt n bad item to "hod over
each administration,
The present year marks the advent of
an important and radical change in the
method of governing the sale of intoXi-
eating liquors. The new law with us
should have n decided advantage over the
old, in that it is known to have behind
il the sentiment Of a largo ma io,it,. M
our taxpayers. This is a great desidera-
tum and | trust that the entire commu.
nifty and especially every official in the
city will take a square stand for the en-
torccment of the law in letter and spirit
burlington being the largest city in the
state I think Il is fair to assume that
the future existence and efficiency of the
new law will be determined in a large
,or.a s.-lr l.,.i 4,
| wish to call your attention to tho
question of the desirability of the city's
purchasing all its supplies for the various
| departments through one head or denart
mcnt which might he known as tho sun
| ply or purchasing department. | heliev,
that a considerable saving might he mad,
| BY purchasing the large amount of SIM
plies needed in common bv the different
departments, and materials and supplic.
| in general. through one agency Th,
head OF such department would he hclC
responsible for its economical and husi
ness-likc management. Bv purchasing II
large quantities and at the ntost favor
able to make a large saving for the city
The sanitary condition of the CITY il
excellent The small box epidemic wa,
several months ago completely stamne,
out and since that time we have hno,
free from epidemic disease and The cit,
generally has been in a healthful condi
! tion.
1 shall not enter into detailed discus
! sion of the condition and WORKINGS of III,
various departments but rather refer va,
to the last city report. where full jnfor
nation on these noints is given h, th
various officials. | refer with pleasuro +,
the excellent condition or our n,,b,i
schools. which are ever n sourco ~ inc
pride to our people. They are mannre,
with ability and care. our teachinp rnrc
is excellent and our school buildines
mostly of modern eouipment and snnitar
construction add much 10 the hnout
and reputation of our CITY