The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1913-04-08
Good Work of Madison Fiscal
Court

The Madison Fiscal Court met on Apr
| and and wound up the county'S bust
ness for the current fiscal year. From
standpoint of public improvement and
financial situation, it appears to be the
best year in the county's history. The
records show that during the life of the
present fiscal court-three years-there
has been paid off and cancelled S32. 900
Of the county's bonded debt and S23, 500
of the floating debt, making a total OF
$50, $50 paid in three years There has
also been paid So. 1877 50 interest on this
old floating debt. There has been no
new debt of any kind made during these
three years The county has paid for
and has now in operation on the road
over 81, 900 worth of heavy road machin
cry IL has paid for and has in possess
ion 81, 900 worth of real estate in Rich
mond upon which they have erected
S73O worth Of improvement in the way
of barns, etc. This real estate is used
for county quarry and storage place
for machinery, stock, etc. IL has paid
for and put in the ground about 81, 900
worth OF metal culvertS. II has collect
ed from the Federal government 81. l64.-
SO for damages TO the Otter Creek road
1t has built three large bridges. one over
Drowning creek. one over Tate's creek
and one over the east fork of Otter creek.
IL has put in a large number of steel
bridges all over the county and made
many other permanent Improvements
along this line. IL has reconstructed
with its own machinery about 30 miles
of its turnpikes, making them first class
roads in every particular and the only
roads which withstOod damage by the
recent fl cd. II is conceded by every
body that they are now in better con-
dition than at any time since they were
freed and are getting better all the time.
The court has arranged to try an expert
ment OF working some OF the dirt roads
by machinery this year and will rebuild
about 30 miles more of turnpike.
Last year they extended to citizens
the maximum aid provided for by the
statutes for the construction Of five miles
of new turnpike. The Fiscal Court has
met every obligation il created in cash
every thirty days and does not owe a
dollar for any obligation contracted by
the present Court.
On the first day Of April there was
cash in the Treasury in all the various
funds S42. 10000 and in the face Of all
this for the present year, the tax rate
has been reduced 2 cents. This was
made possible by the fact that it was not
necessary TO raise as much money as
heretofore 10 pay the interest on the
bonds because of the large amount of
bonds cancelled and paid off. THIS re-
duction does not come out of any public
improvement fund Of the county but
comes off of the interest fund left.
The county has heretofore paid the
treasurer $3.50 a year and the sinking
fund commissioner $3.50 but by an ar
rangement made at this term both Of
these items have been eliminated and
henceforth the treasurer and sinking
fund commissioner will act without
compensation and in addition to that
save the county per cent compound in
terest on the balance in said fund
Every taxpayer in the county should
feel TO congratulate Judge Shackelford
and the members OF his court for their
excellent work. Few, if any other conn-
ties in the State are able to make such a
splendid showing and the fiscal court,
which is so frequently the butt Of abuse.
is in this case 10 be highly commended.
Madison county's substantial condition,
| financially and otherwise. is due to the
splendid work OF the judge and his col
leag ues. Give them praise for it.