La Junta tribune., 1911-04-01
VOLUME 80
Our Mayor on Water Plant.

Editor Tribune: In the issue OF
the Free Press OF March 25th there
appeared an article stating that the
city has been unable to make need
I'd repairs on the water plant and
Is asking for vote on bonds to the
amount OF $4,000 for that purpose,
That article Is not correct In 30 far
as the water plant Is concerned. The
books OF the city hall show that four
years ago the outstanding warrants
~ the water plant amounted TO $780,
Zoo, and at the present time the
outstanding warrants aggregate a
total OF $500. which shows that
the water plant earned and paid Off
outstanding warrants 10 the amount
OF $29 900 in four years
The outstanding warrants of the
water plant fund in 1909 were <li,-
556.s& amount paid. 1910. si,6i3-il;
which left balance April l, 1910.
OF $s,343.i3. and at the present time
OF about $1,000. which shows that
the city council paid in the years
1903 and 1910, sS.o56.Si of outs,and-
ing warrants and s3.ils.50 on I'M
provements. or total OF Sll,i1o.Si
The monthly receipts of the water
plant are about 81 .i6s. and the or
dInary expense is about <5oo per
month, which leaves net profit OF
monthly on $4,000 water bonds. Of
$a23.36, leaves net profit TO the
water plant OF s536.66 per month.
amounting to a out $6,i39.92 per
annum. In other words. the yearly
receipts are about slI 600; yearly
expense, s6.i3i balance, si0,5 less
interest on $4,000 water bonds for
the year. and after taking out the
extra expense. which was for repair
ing reservoir. boilers. electric valve
and new condenser.
According TO these figures the out
standing warrants of the water plant
fund will be eliminated April !, 1912.
The city will then have all surplus
receipts TO apply ON the $4,000 OF
bonded indebtedness. also the SLIGO
which the present city council lev
led against the Taxpayers to pay
for the water used by the city.
This can also be applied ON the
principal OF $4,000. providing there
is no extension OF water mains 10
be made. In case there are water
main extensions the amount paid for
same would have TO lie deducted from
the yearly earnings. Previous coun'
ellis In making these water main eN-
tensions and other improvements did
not request n vote on the proposition.
The work, however. was done. and
warrants issued for the amount, on
which the city paid six per cent In
terest.
The bond issue OF $4,000. with In
ter.st at four and onc-half per cent,
which the city council has asked the
public to vote upon at the present
election Is for additional reservoir
and engine. which We thought prop
er To ask the tax payers to decide
upon. The interest saved would
amount TO one and one-haif per cent.
II they do not want this. ! suppose
the newly elected officers would mol
Increase the indebtedness Of the
water plant However. you can see.
~ the matter nov stands. with the
water plant earning n net profit OF
81 900 per year. the whole bonded In
OF Sio3. 900 would be taken
up In about fifteen years.
In this connection l d. sire TO state
that MIR. r. r. Woodruff has offered
the city the choice Of five different
tracts OF land. at the west end OF
the county road and south Of the
lake. Any one Of these tracts OF
land OF five acres. which the city
should desire to take. Mr.. Woodruff
will give = deed for. for reservoir
purposes. II II should be decided not
10 put the second reservoir Just south
Of the present reservoir site. and pro-
viding the water bonds for 10000
carry. Respectfully.
u. ~. SPALDiNG.
Mayor of Ia Junta.
ANDREW MAYERs.