The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1912-05-17
Mayors Annual Report

.
In compliance with the theIlaws
of this state, l beg leave to sub
NIT to the Council and to the cit
liens of Milbank, this, my annual
report as Mayor, together with
such information as l may pos
sess relative to it's affairs during
the past year, and also such rec
concentrations for the future as
to me may appear for the welfare
of all our people.
FINANCES.
At the time of my last annual
report there was in the city trea-
sury a total of $357O.5 SO, of which
amount there was in the General
Fund $2426.O %, in the Water
works fund $37.88, in the Sewer
Fund 1884 z in the Library
Fund 1888. 90, and in the Sinking
Fund $47.5 SO.
At this time there is in the city
treasury $4128. IS, made up as
follows: General Fund $1999. rs,
Waterworks Fund 500. "a, Sewer
Fund $685.. SO, Library Fund
$3.50. SO, Sinking Fund 1O21.48,
and Interest Fund $63.29.
During the year the many ex-
penses on the streets and cross
ings have been met, together
with cost of repairs on bridges,
expense of keeping up the pump
ing apparatus and the very large
extensions to our water mains,
which were called for in different
parts of the city; also the fencing
and cleaning up of the city dump
grounds. All of the above items
of expense have been paid and
also many other matters taken
care of, itemized accounts for all
of which may be had by referring
to the City Auditors and City
Treasurer's reports.
TAXATION.
The total assessed valuation OF
all property in the city, as equal
lied by the state and county
boards for the year 1911, was
1887, 776.OO.
The board of equalization for
the past year made a very decid'
ed effort to equalize the assess.
ment on structures in the city,
with the result that the total as.
sessment of the city was the low
est it has been for the past five
years, thereby lowering the tota
burden of taxes to the Taxpayer
to quite an appreciable extent
1t is a matter of congratulatior
that the council has been able tt
so equalize the assessment tina
the burden of taxes may be as
equally divided as possible.
: The total amount of taxes lev
We'd for the year 1911 was $40,
5000 being practically the same
as has been levied for the pas
few years, and which seems suf
ficient for the city's needs, excep
perhaps in the waterworks de
partment, in which it is neces
sary to provide for extensions o
mains and other improvements
which are called for each year
STREETS AND BRIDGES.
In the matter of streets | have
to report them in very good con
dition. this being very largely
due to the continued S of the
King drags and the gradua
cleaning up of the cutters, and
also the good drainage accomp
lished by the use of the catch
basins now installed. l wOulC
recommend that no pains be
spared, consistent with our tinan'
cial conditions, to improve and
keep up the streets Of the city
and the roads leading into the
city in as good condition as has
been maintained in the past, as
am sure that there is no more
important matter for the con.
sideration of any city than the
CONDITION of it's streets and high.
ways.
In the matter of bridges | have
to report them in fairly gooo
condition, except as to the tor
planking. The Malsed bridge
needs the planking overhau]eo
and repaired, ane the bridge al
the northeast entrance of the city
needs re-planking and some other
minor repairs.
The viaduct on Fourth street
has been completed during the
year, a sidewalk laid on the east
side of same and lights also in
stalled, SO that it is now a safe
and convenient passageWay from
one part of the city to the other
CrrNHcVYy A r YyC