Bisbee daily review., 1908-03-08
CITY council
DISSCUSES A
BOND ISSUE
Issuance of Bonds Believed To
Be Logical Manner In Which
To Raise Money For NUM-
cipaI Improvements.

An informal meeting of the city
council was held last evening for the
purpose OF discussing the matter of
issuing bonds to raise money to de-
fray the expense of making a number
OK municipal improvements, which are
necessary, but which cannot be made
on the revenue at present at the dis
posal of the city government. Tho
matter was discussed from various
points of view, and all of the mem
bers Of the council seemed to be ia
vorabie to the proposition.
1t is admitted on all sides that new
roads should be built throughout the
city, and that those now il existence
should be improved to meet the de-
nands of the community which is
growing rapidly; it is also commended
that the fire protection now afforded
is totally inadequate, and that the
new sewer system should be extended
to include recently annexed portions
of the, city. The big problem, how
ever, has been to discover where the
money is to come from to meet these
expenditures.
For some time past members of
posed to the fotation Of bonds suffi-
Client to defray the additional ex-
penses, and the matter was brought
up last evening, more to bring it to
the attention of the public for dis
cussion than anything else.
At the present time the improve
ments which are being made are be-
ing paid for as they are completed.
thus entailing a heavy tax on prop
eTty owners at the present time,
whereas if bonds were foated the
payment of the Indebtedness would
extend over number CT years, and
instead of being paid for at the pres
ent time by tax payers would also fall
proportionately on those who come
into the district in the future, and will
enjoy the benefits OF the improve
ments. The tax rate would be prac-
tically unchanged.
Mayor Caven mas been fayorably
disposed from the first towards the
proposition of issuing bonds, and
when asked for a statement in re
gard to the matter by a Review man
last evening said:
TN urging the necessity of bonds
feel that it is matter of the utmost
Importance to every taxpayer in the
City of Bisbee
'The first question TO arise In the
mind OF the taxpayer when a bond
issue is contemplated is, viii not such
measure increase our taxes and
throw an extra burden on us by in
creasing our present Indebtedness?
This is the very idea that must be
eradicated, and when a clear under
standing between bonded indebted
ness and general municipal expense is
reached the sooner will the taxpayer
understand that he will receive great
er benefit with low taxation under a
system Of bonds than with high taxa
ton under the present system.
Until recently, Bisbee and other
cities of its class were limited to a
tax levy not to exceed one per cent
two-ffths of which was to be used
exclusively for the public debt Be
fore the sewer bonds were sold there
was no public debt, therefore, Bisbee
was struggling along on a tax levy
OF six mills, furnishing about SIS, 900
annually. a sun totally inadequate
or the needs of a new and growing
community. 1t was not possible to
build streets and bridges on such a
small income and Bisbee was forced
to continue in its unimproved and
dirty condition.
"A bill passed the last territorial
legislature providing an increase of
eight mills for road purposes. Bisbee
took advantage of this increase and
at once instituted a campaign Of
street improvements which haze al
ready cost in the neighborhood Of
$4,000. A large part Of this outlay
has been paid in cash, and the bal
ance has been carried by the banks
of Bisbee, the warrants being taken
up as quickly as the revenues permit
! ted
Under existing conditions certain
improvements were absolutely neces-
sary, and the tax increase provided a
solution for the attainment of these
Improvements. But the city is still
young, and other improvements are
] demanded. Roads on Chihuahua Hill
and In Tombstone Canyon are needed,
and an adequate fire system and sew
| er extensions are necessary.
The question then arises. is it bet