Semi-weekly herald., 1913-02-20
ANNUAL
EXPENSE
BUDGET
ALDERMEN APPROPRIATE SUM
FOR ENSUING YEAR FOR
EXPENSES OF CITY

AT the regular semi-monthly ses-
sion of the city council which met at
council chambets last night all mem
bers were present and participated
freely in discussion of the annual ap-
preparation ordinance. To the credit
of all the alderlnen let it be said that
they had given the different appro-
priations much thought and careful at
tention and ware very ready to ex-
press their poht of view. AS re-
suit the appropriations as agreed
upon in most eases represent a COM
promise.
The regular routine business, read
ing of the minutes of the previous
meeting, ETC., first occupied the at
tention of the board. The following
prayers of petitions for license were
granted: Fred. Balcom and Durango
Novelty Works. auto license, and the
retail liquor license of M. Maestas
transferred to Chavez and Salazar.
Wood and Morgan were granted a
refund of $3.50 on unused express
license, this action being taken upon
recommendation of Alderman Hanno
and Logan who Investigated the firm 5
petition for therebate.
City Attorney Moody presented
written reportk on the matter of
granting the refund of taxes to the
Freeman Investment company and the
Durango Land and Coal company. In
both cases he stated that the col.
lections were valid and he recommends
ed that the prayers of the petitioners
be denied. However, he advised tina,
in the future that an equitable as
sessment be agreed upon. Chairman
Meuser of the Claims committee mov-
ed that the Recommendation of thu
attorney be cosSs srfssi-wishy Aacscs.s an
Wingate seconded the motion and by
vote the same was duly carried, AL
dermen O'Driscoll and Owens voting
nay. Alderman Wingate explained his
stand by stating that while the dc
cision might not represent his per-
sonal views of justice on the sub
ject, he felt that the board should
accept the opinion rendered by the
attorney. when he was called upon to
make recommendations.
In order to facilitate matters per-
tanning to the preparation of the ap-
preparation ordinance City Clerk viii
son had prepared a comprehensive
statement of the estimated city rev.
enues for the ensuing year along with
the expenditures of the past year up
to date. This statement showed that
the certain and anticipated revenues
would amount to $66,992.2O, divided
as follows: Collections by county
treasurer of 81 per cent of assessed
valuation of $1,884,193 at IL mills
(amount of city levy $21 ,932.10;
frontage tax on city lots, $6,86O.1O;
water license collections, $22,0OO.OO;
cemetery water licenses $S0O.00; H.
quor licenses, $12,9OO.00; general Ii
censes 81 10000; dog licenses, $5OO.00;
police court fines, S800.00.
Out of total appropriation of $685.
745.00 made for present fiscal year
this report showed that the sum of
S56,69S.52 has already been expended
and an estimated amount of $5,765 81
is yet to be paid out of said appro-
priation.
Chairman Hanno of the finance com
mittee advised that the total appro-
priations should not exceed $65, ,000.tl
but after discussion of more than
two hours in length the amount was
fixed at $66,350.00. Against fixing ii
at this figure were Aldermen Hanno
Wingate and Meuser but as the other
five members of the board voted AYE
their nay only served to define their
position.
The appropriations were divided as
follows.