The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-12-16

The proposed new city charter, as
completed by the charter commission, is
really a revision of the present char
ter, bringing it up to date to meet the
wants of the present time. The charter
under which the city is now operating
is good one, but it was adopted four
teen years ago, and since then the city
has nearly doubled in population and
new interests have arisen that need look
ing after.
In preparing the new charter, the COM
mission has been governed by the idea
of conservatism Few radical changes
have been made, and the salary list has
been only slightly changed. The salaries
have been readjusted according to the
duties of the officials, some lowered and
some raised slightly. Only one new
salaried official is provided, and that is
an extra patrolman, but this is not
to be filled until the council deems it
necessary. A street commissioner has
been provided for certain parts of the
year, if the mayor and council wish
for one, but the city has heretofore had
street commissioner at the same sal
airy as provided.
The first chapter of the new char
ter provides for the same number of
words and the same boundaries as now,
but corrects mistakes in the present
charter regarding the ward boundaries.
The time and manner of holding NUM-
cipal elections remains unchanged, but
to the list of offices to be elected by the
people is added the city attorney and
assessor. There are to be six alder
men, as now, holding for two years.
The mayor is to preside at all meet
ings of the council and is only to vote
in case of tie
The fiscal year is made to begin Jan.
lst instead of April LIST. The change
was made because nearly all fiscal years
begin Jan. lst and it will be more con-
venient to keep the records with the
year beginning then.
The city recorders hands are strength
ened and he is made practically a city
comptroller. He is to audit all bills and
accounts before they can be allowed
by the council, and is to see that the
funds are not overdrawn.
The chief Of police is to receive a
straight salary of SIS month and turn
all fees into the city treasury. At pres
ent he gets $50 month and keeps all
fees. ~
AS often as bnce in three months, the
mayor is to call together the vice presi-
dent of the council, city attorney recor-
der, engineer, street commissioner, pres
idents of boards and heads of depart
ments and such other officers as he
shall designate. These are to constitute
conference committee, and they will
consider the economic affairs of the
city, that all may know what the
others are doing and that the expenses
of the city may be kept within the limit.
Detailed reports of the city finances are
to be presented at such meetings.
Once in two years OF oftener if neces-
sary the mayor shall appoint special
examiner to make an expert examina-
ton of the books of the city.
The aldermen are to receive the same
pay as now, 50 a meeting, and So a
meeting as board of equalization for
twelve meetings. The city recorder is
to receive 500 year and 5000 as clerk
of the municipal court. The treasurer
will receive $500 year, the same as
now. The assessor will receive $500
year, instead of $3.50 as now. This re-
duction is made because he now receives
$3.50 as a member of the board of pub
lie works, but he will no longer be a
member of the board, that having been
reduced in number to two members.
The police will receive $50 month
the first two years and $50 a month
after that. The desk sergeant, will
receive $40 a month the same as now.
The city engineers salary is increased
from $1,000 to $1,000, but this is about
the same as he receives now, consider
ing his perquisites, which are to be cut
off. The president of the board of pub
shall be the city purchasing agent.
The powers of the council are left
about the same-as now, except that they