Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1909-05-04


rants which have been issued In excess
of the $4,000 limit. AS I am informed,
there was an order made by the City
Council transferring $500 from the
general fund to the street fund to
meet improvements contemplated this
summer. I Ibelieve this to be unwise. as
it leaves us in position that any per-
son, who may for any reason become
offended against the City. or members
of the Council at any time, bring an
Injunction suit against the City to stop
payment OF all our Indebtedness over
the $5OOO.00 limit, thus impairing the
credit of the City, to such an extent
| that we cannot recover from 1t in
many years not to say anything OF
the injustice to the warrant holders
who would thus lose their money. to
which they are as much entitled as
those holding warrants within the
$5OOO.OO limit. I would therefore
recommend, in view Of these facts,
that the $l50O.OO transferred from the
general fund to the street fund, be
transferred back to the general fund
where it belongs, to help defray the
necessary expenses Of the City, and
reduce the amount of warrants now
outstanding over the limit. l would
further recommend that If the City
Council wants to continue in the i'm
provemeut work in the City, which we
all know is much needed, that the
ordinance committee proceed to call
special election and amend the
Charter, so as to allow the City to
incur a greater Indebtedness, say
limit it at $l0OOO.0O and by so
doing all of the necessary improve
ments can be put through as fast as
needed. There can be no doubt but
that our City needs the improvements
of streets and sewers, and I am of the
opinion that few people know thai
under our State law, any person VINO
!, desires, can have ten years, in which
/ to pay for such improvements, paying
one-tenth each year, with interest a
the rate of per cent per annum.
In regard to the water works, ther'
has been considerable criticism Of the
rates and other charges in connection
q with the system. and believe the con
tract between the City and the waite
. company, should be submitted to
3 disinterested corporation counsel, II
>. order that we may know to wha
b. extent, this Council has right to reg
4 ulate the rates, and generally wha
# the rights Of the City are 10 the prem
ises, such an opinion in my judgmen
II would be worth all that it would cos
!. us and would probably save troubl
,. in the future.
r. In regard to Lighting. understan
q that the present City contract with tn
At Willamette Valley Company will e1
a pire during the present term, and
!. believe that this matter should receiv
"a the careful thought and considerable
,r of each member Of the Council, befol
a. the time OF renewal of such contrac
a. and have the matter we'll in hand b
that time.
ar As to the water supply, / am OF II
" opinion, that the reserve reservoir th'
4. is now under consideration will, whe
.. completed. be found sufficient for
"a number of years TO come, to meet Il
,r demands Of the City, but believe
soon as the City's finances are in su'
a condition that 1t can be done, Il
of source Of our water supply, which
q. at the head of Canyon creek. shou
be acquired by the City, and proper
,e protected 10 order that the City wat
10 supply cannot become contaminate
m Respectively submitted,
Il. @. EAKIN,
10 Mayor