The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1911-07-27
New Ordinance to Provide
for Management of Water
Plant Will Soon be Ready
PROVIDES A new COMMISSION
Mayor and Two Members of the Coun-
Gil to Handle the Finances with the
Non-Partisan Board as an Advisory
Board.

1t is reported in official circles in
the city that a new ordinance provid-
ing for the management of the Keno
sha Water Works is being prepared and
it is expected that it will be presented
at an early meeting of the council.
There seems to be considerable secrecy
in regard to the new ordinance and its
provisions, but it is stated that it
plans to change entirely the present
It is said that the new ordinance will
take the active management of the
water company out Of the hands Of the
commission which has been in charge
since the plant was built and vest it
in board made up of officials of the
city. In justifying this action the pro
moters Of the ordinance claim that the
water plant is now the property of the
city with no other organization having
any claim upon it and it is the duty
of the council to take over the man
agement. The ordinance will provide
that a new board to be known as the
g Council Water Works BoardO be
named. This board is to have the
mayor for it's chairman and in addi-
,b.o,e
members of the common council Sc
lected by their associates on the coun-
ell.
The new ordinance will not abolish
the water commission, but the com
mission will be made partisan
advisory commission and it will be ex-
pected to meet with the eouncil board
in taking care of the operation of the
plant The ordinance will also put the
financial management of the water de-
partment under the management of the
common council with a view of having
the Especial council board" pass on
OH expenditures. Cuu0I Gut OIu1uduce
the board of water commissioners will
be practically stripped of its powers
although nominally most of the pow
ers exercised in the past will be given
to the board under the new ordinance.
However the matters pertaining to the
expenditure Of funds will be brought
under the council commission.
Just who is backing che ordinance is
not apparent, but it is said that the
city attorney will be asked to pre-
pare it
Of course before any new manage
ment Of the water plant can be de-
creed it will be necessary for the coun-
Gil to pass an ordinance repeating the
ordinance under which the plant is
now being operated and there are grave
doubts if such an ordinance can be
passed. It is known that large mum
Der of people in the city are bitterly
opposed to the management of the wat
er works being vested in the city
council or council committee and II is
a problem as to just how far these views
have been impressed upon the mem
of the council it would require thirteen
votes to pass new water works ordi-
nance and It is thought that it would
be difficult to get the required vote.
Some Of the conservative members
of the council while seeing some merit
in the proposed ordinance have insisted
that the water works be allowed to
any interference on the part of the
council. These members of the coun-
ell believe that the funds of the com
pany should not be merged with any
funds of the city and that the money
secured from the rental of water should
be turned back into the fund to pro-
vide for the rebuilding of the plant
present time there is a demand for a
new intake. The greater part of the
bonded Indebtedness of the water com
pany has been paid from the profits of
the company and outside of the small
sum avanced as hydrant rental to pay
the bonds as they fell due the city
council has made no provision for the
expenses Of the water company.
The business Of the company is
profitable Notwithstanding the low
rents for water and it is thought that
with the careful commission rule that
has prevailed in. the past that in a
short time the company will be able to
pay for the new intake and all other
improvements that may be needed.
Want ads bring results.