The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-02-04

yeats VI tne sulCteSt economy TO over
come
Despite these troubles the city,
within the comparatively short space
of two years, has brought its finances
TO sound and we'll regulated basis,
so that during the next few years,
when an Increased tax duplicate
should make possible the securing Of
more revenue, the operating expenses
can be increased so as to provide
more efficient public service. 1t is an
indisputable fact that during tho past
few years in order TO come as nearly
as possible to q point within the city's
decreased income, the expenses OF
some of the most vital departments
have been lowered so as to render IL
impossible to give the people really
adequate service, but this has been
done solely of necessity. BY way OF
Illustration, the accounts of the muni-
cipality show that in 1907, when the
city was provided with plenty OF
funds, S9,S61.S6 was spent in oper-
ating the police department while In
1910, this item amounted only to So
00S.O5; in 1907, there was spent in
the engineering department S3,365.91.
and in 1910, this department cost only
$1.460.43; in 1907, street repairing
cost $7,S47.45 and in 1910, S351.26;
In 1907, it cost $3,O94.13 to take care
Of the city's sewer system and in 1910
this expense was S2,07t.46; in 1907,
street cleaning amounted to S4,S53.41
and in 1910, $3,616.02.
In all likelihood, much of this de-
crease has been possible only by inn
pairing the worth and effectiveness of
the work done in these various depart
ments owing to the fact, however,
that the city was getting all of the
revenue it possibly could secure un-
der existing statutory restrictions, and
that this revenue was far below the
cost of operation as maintained pre-
vious to 1903, it can readily be seen
that 1t was absolutely necessary to
cut expenses regardless of effect upon
the efficiency of service. 1t can be
said that in bringing about this cur
tailmcnt OF expenditures, practical
ly all of the city officials lent willing
assistance and 1t was the aim of all
to make the greatest cuts where there
would be least inconvenience to tho
public.
As stated before. the city council
is now lcvying the full amount Of tax
allowed by law for the maintainance
of the various municipal departments.
This levy brings approximately
S71, 900 annually, which is used to
pay the expenses of the entire city
outside of the sinking
fund and library fund. these being
provided for i'm separate levies. This
S71,OO0, with about $4,000 additional
to be received from other
sources. is just sufficient to pay the
cost of operation on the present scale,
which is one of such stringent econ
omy as to render affairs decidedly un-
to officials entrusted to
the management II is to be hoped
that before the lapse Of many years
il will be possible to secure such add
ed revenue as is really necessary.
To show what the officials OF tho
city accomplished in a financial way
it can be pointed out that the treas
ury ovcrdraft of $3,293.32, which eX-
listed at the close of 1909 was cut
down to $1,S40.47 at the close OF
1910. This was accomplished solely
by the heads of the various depart
ments being extremely careful In
their management. getting the great
est and most efficient service possible
for their money In figuring this
overdraft, no account is taken of the
sinking fund, which not being trans
ferrable is to be handled separately.
It might be remarked, however, that
the sinking fund Is in admirable con
diton and rendered this city's credit
much better than the average.
1t is my estimate that during 1911,
the various departments Will have a
their disposal approximately $4,000.
this being arrived at by figuring on
the regular tax receipts, adding $3,-
600, which will probably come through
the mayors court and other sources
and deducting the overdraft at the
beginning of the year. This $72,OOO
will provide for the needs of the gen
eral, health, safety and service funds.
During 1910. the ordinary expense
in these funds amounted to SI'-
443.06.
bllt lthAult VI lAl' i'iN i''NN''''
report that is particularly notable
* the amount of the city's bonded
debt, which is only $220,035, an ex-
ceptionally low figure for city OF
this size. In 1907. the debt was $25f'-
250.
The past few years Of economical
management in the city's affairs, made
necessary by the circumstances re-
viewed In the foregoing comment, has
made evident one fact-that ii Is pos
sible for a municipality to get good
service on only a reasonable amount
Of money. There is no doubt, but that
in coming years, even with the city
enjoying the use of additional funds
the effect of this period of saving VIII
be felt.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry S. Elliott
C'ity Auditor.