The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-26
is IN GOOD SHAPE
Condition of City Finances New
er Better.
Receipts for the First Quarter
Doubled Expenses.
FOR A GOOD SURPLUS.
City Has Enough Money for All
Spring Work.
Excellent Record Made Com
misSiOners in Charge.
FOR A GOOD SURPLUS.

The new year in Topeka under the
commission form of government had
begun with the most favorable outlook
in the history of the city. The first
quarterly report issued under the d.
rection of r. L. Bone, city commission
er, was printed in full on the legal page
of the State Journal last evening. This
report shows that the city finances are
in excellent shape and gives the com
missionerS a good margin on Which TO
cover the spring expenses and the early
summer work until the taxes come in
July.
In other words, the city of Topeka
has spent $40, 500 in the first three
months of this year-January. March
and April-and the receipts for the
three months were $327,705 or nearly
$50, 900 more than the expenses.
AT this rate the city will have nearly
$50, 600 on hand for running expenses in
July when the second batch of taxes
come in from the county. Then once
again with a surplus hanging over their
heads the new commissioners can show
the citizens of the city that the levy for
the year 1912 will reduce the taxes and
the commission form of government
will be an unqualified success.
OF this amount on hand the new
quarter received as a balance in Jan
uary $4,000. From all sources in the
first quarter of this year the city
! received nearly 11ZJ,UuU. VI IIll5 dHlOuIlL
$685. 600 was received from the cOun
ty treasurer in taxes, $1.222 from
the sewer No. "a bond sale, $50 from tho
opening of Laurent, Norris and Polk
streets. and $4S,S50 from all other
sources.
From the general Improvement fund
comes the big slice for maintenance
The salaries and miscellaneous eX
penses for the quarter amounted to
81, 106. Then came the expenses of the
different departments-the fire depart
ment leading with $13S30, and the police
department with $7,521. The combined
expenses of the street, engineers, cleo
trio light and asphalt deartments
amounted to $45,90O, a slight increase
over the expenses for the same period
last year.
The receipts for the quarter have
tided the city over the three months
From the court fines and licenses SILL
l9G was obtained. This is a big in
crease and a creditable showing made
by the police department and the IL
cenSe collectors.
And the water department-its re-
ceipts are always on the increase Fol
the first quarter in this year they took
in nearly $4,000 from consumers. The
interest in their bank deposit amount
ed to $40. The various water funds
and investments netted an additions
| large sum to the receipts.
The garbage plant didn't make any
| poor showing into consideration
the fact that the plant has been ir
running order such a short time. Near
ly $500 was taken in through the re-
movaI of garbage over the city.
The fremen's relief fund goes ovel
the 100000 mark this quarter. This is
| a big thing for the men on account Of
! their recent decision to provide a pen
sion system and deposit their funds il
| city bonds.
1t was good quarter-and one that
| is most satisfactory to the city COM
missioners. With this first taste of real
success under the commission form OF
government they are planning to make
even a better showing in the July
quarterly report.