Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-08-09
why COMMISSIONERS
ASK FOR $500, 900
Board Issues Statement Setting
Forth Needs for the Court
House
Make a Statement of Douglas
County Finances-Use of
the Money.

Calling the attention Of the Douglas
county voters to the special election II
Tuesday next, the board of county COM
missioners has made statement of the
reasons why Il is asking for a 5000. 900
court house bond issue, and the use to be
made OF the money; gives the financial
condition of the county, and appeals to
the voters 10 authorize the bonds at this
time
This is the statement made by the
board
To the voters of Douglas county: on
Tuesday next there will he submitted TO
you at a special election a proposition to
vote 100000 bonds to make possible the
furnishing OF the new jail for its intended
use. The money to be derived from the
sale Of these bonds is to be used eXclu-
sively for the purchase Of furniture, jail
cells and supplies, gas and electric light
fixtures, approaches to the buildings and
suitable interior decorations.
Three years ago 100000 bonds were
voted 10 he used exclusively for the
building Of a new court house II was
not at the time contemplated that any
funds of this amount should be used for
furnishing the building or equipment Of
the jail, as II was expected that il would
take all Of this amount to erect and com
plete the structure Now this board is
prepared to turn over to the taxpayers
the finest public building between Chi
cago and San Francisco, built for less
money than the people voted FOR the pur-
pose. Therefore it is not intended, nor is
II necessary, that any Of the proceeds OF
the 100000 bond issue will he used IN
the completin Of the structure itself.
The first estimate given 10 this board
as the probable cost of furniture, fixtures
and jail equipment was S265.0 which
was considered reasonable. and which
would be met by a s250,OOO bond issue
ana the using Of the $4,000 surplus on
hand. BY close figuring. however. and
finding that $4,000 surplus will be avail
able, we find that We can keep the cost
down 10 100000, thus necessltatinE a
bond issue of but 100000, and make pos
sible the furnishing anu equipment IT
the new building in a manner in keeping
with the size and dignity Of the structure
We believe that a statement of the
Douglas county finances at this tine
I should be given you for your considera-
tion. The county now has Sl.975,OOU
bonds. outstanding, including the 81 ,OOO,-
600 court house bonds OF three years ago.
or this amount sl5S,OOO was retired on
July OF this year. before the proposed
new bond issue, II voted, viii be avail
| able for use; and arrangements have been
completed for the retirement OF 100000
more Of old bonds or July /. 1872 The
100000 court house bonds issued three
years ago will begin retiring themselves
after seven years more through d special
sinking fund at the rate of $4,000 per
year. IL is proposed that the coming
100000 bond issue shall automatically
provide for It's own retirement at the
rate Of 100000 a year, after ten years
The property valuation of Douglas county
which is behind these bond issues, -
lSlSS,4S4, 27O
With this statement Of facts and con-
ditions, We appeal 10 you as voters with
the best interests of Douglas county at
heart TO authorize. at the coming special
election, the issuance Of $500. addi-
tionsl bonds. hat the proper furnishing
/ Of the court house and equipment OF the
jail may proceed uninterruptedly after
the completion Of the building, that we
may utilize our new building for the safe
and convenient transaction Of our grow
ing official business, saving high rentals.
$500 yearly, now being paid for outside
court rooms and offices: and FOR the
safe and humane care of the prisoners
with whose keeping the county is charged.
EFF w BEDFORD.
o. J. PICKARD,
FETEP +. ELSASSER
THOMAS OCONNOR,
JOHN c. LYNCH