The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1914-05-07
PRESIDENT RUDD
ON RETRENChMENT
MINOTs CHIEF EXECUTIVE REC.
OMMENDS REDUCTION IN THE
CITY'S XPEN NDITUR RE s
WOULD REDUCE POLICE
FORCE AND LOWER SOME SAL
ARIES. '. Il

-VOOAD NLDOCE TOLAOE
FORCE AND LOWER SOME SAL
ARIES. r... x
The following message was read by
President Rudd to the city commits
sioners Monday night:
Minot, N. D., May 4th, 1914.
To the Honorable Board of
City Commissioners, of the
City of Minot:
In the election just passed, the issue
which interested the citizens most,
was that of the reduction in taxes. I
was elected President of the City Com
missioners of this city on that issue,
and on platform promising such re-
duction, so far as economy be practic-
ed without loss of efficiency. To carry
out my promises to the people so far
as lies in my power, take this oppor-
tunity of making the following recon-
mendations for your consideration.
Other recommendations will follow
from time to time as become familiar
with the city's business affairs.
When there is no emergency exist
ing I recommend the reduction of the
police force to four members instead
of six, as at present, and in this regard,
that the duties of the City Electrician,
Building and Plumbing Inspector be
placed upon one man, who shall have
his office at the City Hall and when
not otherwise occupied, perform the
duties of a desk sargeant, or such 9TH
er police work as the Chief may from
time to time designate. This would
mean saving to the city per annum Of
some fifteen or eighteen hundred dol
lars. s.
l would also recommend that all
fees received by policemen for the
serving Of civil papers be turned in to
the city treasurer. This would amount
to $500 or probably $4,000 per
month. ~.
I would further recommenahat the
City Engineer be designated ~ Street
Commissioner, believing that by doing
so more efficient work can be obtained.
This would mean saving of one sal
ary or about $150O.00 per year, and it
seems that now that the work is SO far
along in the construction of sewers,
sidewalks and waterworks, that the
City Engineers department, which is
really the proper department to know
what ought to be done about the
streets, i'll be able to handle this work
additional to their regular duties.
I would further ecommend that the
salary of the City Attorney be reduced
to $4,000 per month, when the next
appointment is made, also City Asses
sor to 100000 per month.
also recommend that the salary of
the City Treasurer be reduced to $25
per month, when the next appointmnt
of the City Treasurer is made.
In regard to the cleaning of the
streets, and particularly the pave.
ment, believe and would recommend
that arrangements be made to have
the city swept between IL o'clock mid
night and 1880 a. m., that after they
are swept the same be flushed as often
as necessary to keep clean. This work
to be done in the most economical
manner. / believe that if this were
done the expense of taking care OF
the pavement would be reduced, and
that it would create less dust and dis
order on the streets during the day
time. l have noticed this is the sys-
tenn used in other cities where they
have paved streets,
| would also recommend to the
Board that the matter of city dump
be taken up, and if possible some ar
rangements made for the burning of
the refuse hauled to the dump. That
if possible reduction in the expense
of same be effected, and that the City
purchase an acre or more to be used
for such purpose.
These are few suggestions along
the line of economy which to my mind
would in no way effect the efficiency
of the service, the total savings would
be quite material, particularly so, ow-
ing to the fact that every dollar of ex-
pense added to the local expenditures
Of Minot makes larger property val
uation necessary and incidentally a
larger tax for state and county pur-
poses will be imposed upon the clti-
zens. The valuation for state pur-
poses of all farm lands in Ward Coun.
ty is not as high as the valuation OF
the property within the city limits OF
Minot. It is plain to see that we must
therefore, practice every economy pos
sible.
In conclusion want to say that
wherever city officials receive their
public monies for performing duties
for other boards of the city, Park
Commission, School Commission, and
that such officials are paid annual sal.
aries by the city, that these monies
should be turned into the CITY, The
salaries paid, with the exception Of
Z the City Attorneys salary, is with
view Of the exclusive time Of the EN-.
ployee for the city, and ! believe II
wrong in principle for such employees
to perform duties for other city boards
receiving therefor additional salaries
Monies SO received, where his time
permits Of his performing such duties
should be turned into the city treas.
ury. There are several instances
where city officials are drawing two
salaried positions. *
Il place these matters before you on
communication, because ] do not pro.