The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-05-22
UNJUST cENSURE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL

number of years.
We hope that this is a good sign
and augers well for our community,
and if the discussion of our city az
fairs is entered upon in spirit OF
tolerance and fairness We do not see
why these curbstone discussions can
not be Illuminating and thereby &C.
complish great good.
1t seems to us that the city council
is entering upon the discharge of its
duties in a very intelligent and sys-
tematic manner.
The statute law of the state says
that Ocala must provide for system
of sewerage. To comply with this
mandate the city council, at great
pains, has had some of the most emf
nent engineers of the country to en-
tighten it upon the most modern and
economic system that it is possible to
install. A Typographical survey OF
the city has been made, and the cost
of installing the system is on file in
the city clerks Office.
The estimated cost is $154, 900.
1t is imperative that the water
works be Immediately enlarged.
The estimated cost of its enlarge
ment, figured by competent engineers,
is $4,000
1t is imperative also that the cleo
trio light plant be enlarged if it is de-
cided that the city can manufacture
its own electricity cheaper than it can
buy it.
The estimated cost of enlargement,
figured also by competent engineers,
is $4,000.
The paving with brick of Fort King
avenue has given such general salts
faction, and the paving with lime has
been so unsatisfactory that in making
UP it's budget the city council has put
in 100000 for street paving.
For building a new city hail.. fire
station and parks it has set aside an
estimate of $4,000.
This foots up a total of $43S,000.
Under the law we cannot issue
bonds in that sum on our present as
sessed valuation of property. To OBJ
viate this difficulty the city council,
with. the aid of two or three citizens,
supposed to be entirely impartial, has
raised the valuation of properties,
both real and personal.
In some few instances, perhaps,
they may have exceeded the "full
cash" value, and in other instances
may have fallen into some errors But
they have tried to be impartial. They
have tried to place all properties on
an equality. If they have in any in
stance made a mistake the same will
be cheerfully corrected.
Of course these corrections will not
be made in a haphaZard way The
mandates of the law will have to be
followed.
Well, when the valuations are cor
rected and become fixed, then the
council will have the data upon which
to fix the millage and is in a position
to do so intelligently and impartially.
We are quite confident that the city
council has no intention of rewarding
it's friends or furnishing it's enemies.
If therefore ones property has been
assessed at five thousand dollars, and
the rate of tax fifteen mills, and the
value has been raised to ten thousand
dollars and the tax rate reduced to
seven and one-half mills, that per-
sons tax will remain identically the
same. He has no just cause to be-
come a "knocker"
But, of course, if we are to enjoy
the contemplated improvements, we
cannot expect the rate of taxes to re-
main the same.
If we issue $43S,000 worth of bonds
we will be compelled to provide a
fund for the payment of the interest
on said bonds and for their final Ii,
quotation.
We must do this, or not have the
contemplated improvements.
But how can we afford not to have
them?
We are told that the electric light
plant is now exceeding it's capacity
and if it continues to do so it will
not be long before the plant will be
ruined, and the city will be submerg
ed in total darkness.
Can we afford that state of affairs
The same condition exists as to the
water plant.
The state board of health and the
statute law of the state say that we
must provide a modern and an ap
proved system of sewage.