The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-05-06
REPORT
OF The Mayor Of The City VI

leave TO give 10 the council anu 10 'ie c!tiAens
h c;tv If Milbank ~nformation relative TO
oL . ~ IF the city, ard recommend for the
cnnsideration of the council such measures as
are by me deemed expedient Tor the welfare
Of the city. s
ona Won ago when | assumed tie office of
Mayor of this city there was ,S9oS5.li IN the city
treasury, of which amount there was %z33i4o In
siat - in the interest fund, SlS3.3t in the library
fpnd The sum of $1,000 was transferred from
Tho general fund to the sinking fund, making a
total on the first day of April. 1904, in the sink
ing fund of S302l Is. Since that time the coun-
ell has paid 5000 of the city bonds, leaving an
outstanding bonded Indebtedness against the
CITY in the sum of $40. 600. During the year
there has been paid into the city treasury the
sum OF $37l5.60 from taxation, and the further
sum of $3507.36 for licenses and other miscel-
laneous items, making a total of Sl252.96, and
there has been dishursed and paid out the sum
OF ~S9S56.i1, in which said amount is included
the payment of the city bonds and interest
account, and there is at this time a total
balance IN the city treasury of the sum
sles6.s S. belonging to the general fund $1,000
to the interest fund, S2l.2 to the sinking fund.
and -. 10 to the library fund. There was S1S3.3i
paid to the library board in April. 1901, which
corresponding amount remained In the city
treasury on May 1, 1903. Of the moneys expend-
ed during the year approximately the sum of
$1,000 was paid for repairing the library hall
and fire hall for the city schools, and in buying
and repairing the property now owned and
used by the city for a fire hall and city lookup.
A considerable amount of money was used for
graveling Main street. There were also a large
number of cement crossings put in, hose was
bought for the fire department, and the bal ali
by the council at a reduction from the original
contract. The unusual rains of the last season
required an expenditure of a large amount of
money in attempting to drain and improve the
sanitary condition of the city. The results
were as good as could be expected under the
circumstances, but on the whole very far from
satisfactory. The balance of the money was
spent for street grading and for officers
salaries, and in other ways for the improve,
rscnt and betterment of the city, an itemlzed
and detailed account of which can be had by
referring to the report of the city treasurer and
city auditor.
The assessed valuation of the city as equal
lied by the state and county boards for the
year 1908 was $3.50, 237, an increase of S47,5n
over 1902. The city property was assessed upon
practically the same basis in 1903 as IN lgU2, ana
the greater part of the increased valuation
was due to new buildings erected and improve.
nent Of 9fs other for b ,aaa mss sa lhe % sot whie sm Wae tb be-
smallest amount and lowest mill rate ever
| levied in the city. The fact that taxation in
+, this city is j lower than in any other city or town
Of it's size in this state is indeed most crafty
ing. The most excellent work OF the preceding
administrations in placing the city. upon, a
and keeping down expenses is a matter for
which the citizens should be most grateful to
those who served them SO faithfully.
STREETS AND BRIDGES.
The excellent condition of Main street is
Something of which the council and our people
can be especially proud. There is no city in
this state the principal street of which is in
finer condition than Main street in Milbank,
Their condition is far better than those of
other towns, while the amount of money
expended to place them M in such GO condition
er graded three and one-half miles OF streets
and roads approaching the city during 1903,
and the greater amount OF the work done was
paid for by poll tax. The bridge oyer the
MILESTONE near the Hicks farm was placed in
safe condition at q small expenditure of money,
| and should receive careful attention on the
part of the street commissioner and the city
council with a view to keeping the same in
bridge viii be needed at that point, and it will
be we'll to grade the approaches in such
manner SO as to straighten the road, but in
view Of other improvements to be made by the
city during the coming year it will be i'm
practicable to erect a new bridge at that place
There we're eleven cement crossings built by
the city last year, and also a large amount of
cement walks along Main street, and in other
portions Of the city constructed by the owners
arrived when nothing but cement walks should
be allowed on Main street and the advisability
Of requiring cement walks in all parts OF the
city when new walks are constructed is a
matter worthy of the consideration of the
council. There was $500 levied for lumber
and for ;ross.walks and sidewalks in 1903,
WnAOh VII Oho0AO nv NANy w AhA III .A"A
p~rovements in its walks and cross-walks than
has been done for some years past. The work
done last year was or a very substantial
character and was secured at a reduced cost.
Twenty-Five cents was charged for crossings
and fourteen cents for sidewalks for each
square foot. This was a reduction of two cents
per foot for crossings, and one cent per foot
for sidewalks, and besides that, all work was
guaranteed for five years and a bond furnished
by the contractors to make good any defect.
In my opinion the cost ought to be reduced
still more, but in securing such reduction we
should always keep in mind that only good
WATERwoRKs.
At the last election by a vote of I'll to IS, the
electors Of the city expressed their desire
to have our w~aterworks system extended in
accordance with the plans submitted by LIP.
Wolf. the civil engineer employed by the city
to submit plans for the same. Bonds in the
sum of $23, 600 we're voted for that purpose. The
plans submitted are certainly comprehensive
and will improve our system SO that practically
all parts of the city will receive fire protection,
and also a great part of the city will be enabled
!, to use water for domestic purposes. The plans
!, submitted have not been finally adopted and
should be carefully examined by our people. so
that IN the event that the same could be i'm
proved by the council and citizens such inn
prOvements can be taken advantage of. The
engineer EST estimated the cost at s2i Loo, but it
large enough SO there would be no question of
our being able to accomplish the work in a sub
stantial manner, but no greater amount OF the
money voted will be ueed than is absolutely
necessary for the work. The question of water
supply Is the most serious question with which
the council have to contend. Test wells have
been bored under the direction of a committee
appointed by the council to do the work. No
sufficient amount of water has been found with
, which to supply the city. The matter for the
council to decide is as to whether it will be best
to make further tests with the hope of securing
water in sufficient quantities in shallow wells.
as was at first contemplated, or whether an
attempt should be made to contract with the
railway company to furnish such supply from
! the railway reservoir. 1t is not known at this
: time that the company will make such a con-
tract with the city, but if it can be made there
are a great many people who think it advisable.
!. The city has recently bought a water meter for
installation, which action was required on the
part OF the company, and the company has sig
= nified Its willingness to furnish the city. water
Y for our system as it now is at the rate of seven
I cents per thousand gallons. The council should
Y pursue that course which is best and desired by
8 the most OF our people. Water from shallow
, wells would be hard, and could not be used for
lawns or for laundry purposes or bath tubs. but
z could be used for culinary purposes and drink
ing, and water from the railway reservoir could
be used for lawns, laundry and purposes Of that
J kind, while it could not be used for drinking or
J culinary purposes. Whichever supply is decid-
ed upon. the thing to look after is to see that
for every dollar of money that is expended the
city will receive one dollars benefit, and that
when the work is finished we shall have some-
thing to show for our money. Care should be
] taken to see that every contract made is with