The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1914-01-15
(PART OF OFFICIAL MINUTES
OF MEETING HELD JAN. 5, 1910.
REPORT OF :HE MAYOR.
Brunswick, Ga, Jan. }, 1914

Gentlemen: While it is customary
for the mayor to make 4 report to
council at the end of each fiscal year
showing the workings Of each depart
mont. In view of the fact that each
and every member of this body has
given such close attention to the work
done in the various departments dur
ing the year just closed, and as detail
ed reports have been submitted by
the various committees showing the
splendid results attained I do not
deem it necessary to otn1r than touch
briefly en- the various subjects.
First | wish to call y.ur attention
to the splendid financial showing made
This is most gratifying 10 me and |
am sure to you. With tax rate of one
dollar and sixty five cents, thirty cents
Of which was levied for the schools,
amounting to $24,309, and twenty-one
and one-half cents levied for the sink
ing fund, amounting to $1j.770, leaving
a balance of $1.13 IL for administra-
tive purposes We have been able to
decrease the net dehcit, or what is
termed floating indebtc dness, ST.
66040 and have added over $3.50 to
our surplus. Compared with the year
1912 with tax rate of S1.l5 less % IL
cents levied for school purposes, leav-
ing balance Of 01.19 -, we had six
cents less, amounting to approximate
ly $4,000 for administrative purposes.
With this additional amount you can
readily see that we would have de-
creased the net deficit over $4,000
it is pleasing to note that we
We're able to decrease our indebted
ness to the local banks from $4,000
to S22, 800, a reduction of $1,000, which
will enable us to materially decrease
our interest account this year This
most certainly is a spleho;d showing,
in view of the fact that no department
CT the city has been allC wed to suf-
fer in the least, all being kept strictly
UP 20 the standard and in addition
we have made a large number of per-
manent Improvements, such as addi-
tiOnal sidewalks in the city squares,
re-roofing the city stables with gall
vanized iron, building the dumping
station for the new sanitary system,
extension OF the sewerage system and
other minor improvements of a perma-
nent nature.
| also call your attention to the fact
that the total amount of cur current
bills both vouchered and unVouchered
is less than the amount Of the vouch-
cred bills carried over from 1912. This
is most gratifying
The bonded Indebtedness Of the city
is Of much concern. AS you we'll know
an unsuccessful effort was made to
get the last legislature to pass spe-
cial legislation whereby we would
have the privilege to refund all or q
portion Of these bonds. subsequently
our city attorney has rendered an
opinion under which the city has le-
gal right to refund an amount not in
excess of $4,000 at maturity. This
with the present sinking fund will ap-
proXimate S91 900, leaving a balance
of $209, 900. With the present tax
values and tax rate, $4,000 with ac-
crued interest amounting to S35 1000.
making a total of $147,000 should be
added, making a grand ,tal of $685.
600. This would leave a deficit of
S62, 900 at the maturity of the bonds
By decreasing the floating indebted
ness annually at the rate Ct s. 900 for
the next seven years, would leave the
city free of debt at the maturity of the
bonds less $685. 900 just mentioned
With a showing of this M tLre it would
not be difficult matter to re-create a
floating Indebtedness sufficient to pay
off the deficit; or it is possible arrange
ments could be perfected with some of
the holders Of these bonds to carry
this amount as past due paper, and
thus in this manner give the city DIN
extension of sufficient length of time
in which to liquidate this debt
! believe it is most imIOrtant that
another effort should be made to get
the necessary legislation allowing the
refunding CT a portion Of these bonds,
as this would enable US t reduce the
tax rate, which at present is working
a hardship on cur citizens generally
|. do MOI, however, under the present
conditions think it wise under any cir
cumstances to fail to place the requir
ed amount each wear in the sinking
fund even though the tax rate be co IL
PEELED to remain as Ii Is for fail
ure TO do so would possible bring
mandamus proceeding upon the city.
During the past year our health
department has been materially assist
ed by council in the passage Of ordi-
nances which cannot 1ut better health
conditions. Chiefly among them is
the new sanitary closet ordinance
While there developed some opposi-
ton to this ordinance from fey
citizens, upon investigation by the