Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1913-07-16
MORE IOWA LAWS.
Powers Granted to NUM-
Cipalities. New Laws Relating to
Payment for Public I'M
prOvements.

The most valuable features of the
new Iowa laws as affecting cities
and towns of Iowa relate to the pay
ment for public improvements. Acts
of the 35th general assembly will
greatly facilitate the making of i'm
provements and relieve cities from
many embarrassments.
Chapter S5, limited to cities under
$4,000, furnishes a way by which
cities may secure funds for con-
struction of main sewers. 1t virtu-
so,v authorizes delimitation of
+, ~ ge district in city and the
coli. oI..ion of main sewer to be
a cha.. ~ gainst all the property of
the distI t. Instead of assessing
cost to the abutting or adjacent pro-
perty the assessment may run
against all the property benefited.
In some cities this will include the
entire area.
An important change in the man
ner of assessing for street improve
ments was made in Chapter 76, so
that such assessments shall run
against lone half of the privately
owned property between the street
improved and the next street wheth-
er such privately owned property
abut upon said street or not, but
limited to 800 feet. In the case of
alleys the cost shall be confined
to lots in the block or if not plated
to $50 feet of the alley.
Another new law applies the law
as to manner of making improve
ments and assessing the cost to pro-
perty to all incorporated towns. Still
another makes all this apply specifi-
cally to charter cities.
Chapter 81 requires that the city
council shall prepare the assessment,
plat and schedule, in regard to street
improvements, within twenty days
following the completion of the work
so that contractors may not be held
up by such delays.
Another law fixes the time when
the interest shall commence on inn
provement certificates as from the
date of acceptance by the council.
1t is now made legal to make a
reassessment upon property for
street or sewer Improvements where
former assessment has been void
ed for any jurisdictional defect.
Street improvements can now be
ordered by three-fourths of the
members of city council, or where
there are but three members of the
council by two-thirds vote, unless a
majority of the frontage has petition
ed for the Improvement, but a ma
jority of the council may order re-
pairs.
Salvage from old street paving,
where reconstruction has been order
ed. may be sold by the city and pro-
ceeds applied on the new work
In all cities of 10000 or over the
cities now have 1.-The power to ex-
tend, improve and repair streets,
highways, avenues, alleys, public
grounds, wharfs, landings and mar
ket places within their limits, and
pay for same out of the general fund
or highway or poll tax, or by as
on abutting property.
Pensions for retired foreman may
be given those who have served
twenty-five years.
Cities over 5000 may levy mill
tax for gas or electric works.
All cities of 5000 and all commits
sion cities have power to levy one
and one-half mill tax for fire depart
ment equipment.
Cities and towns have authority
to license transient merchants.
Cities may enact building and fire
limit ordinances.
Cities may buy or sell electric cur
rent, power, gas, water, etc.
Cities on navigable rivers may
have dock boards and control wharfs.
Cities have authority to require
licenses from all plumbers.
Cities have the right to prohibit
slaughter houses.