The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1915-07-22
BIG GROWTH IN RECEIPTS seen
Tax Levies Bring Much More Money
Than in Former Years. Bonded In
debtedness of City Reduced Cost Of
Maintaining Departments Shown.

Interesting facts in connection with
with the financial management of the
city are shown in the annual report of
the auditors who have just completed
the examination of the books Of the
various departments Of the city. For
the first time since Kenosha has been
making audits of it's books every de-
partment is given a clean bill. Not a
single duplication of payments, not an
error in bookkeeping is reported from
any of the departments and the audi
tor declares that the books of the city
are in excellent condition.
Starting with the city's bonded in
debtedness the report shows that as a
result of the issue of serial bonds the
city was forced during the past year
to pay off $4,000 of the bonded in
debtedness. Outstanding May l, 1914
were bonds to the amount of $3.50 800
and at this time there is outstanding
bonds to the amount Of $400,500. The
audit shows that the assessed valuation
OF the property of the city has been
increased by nearly six million dol
lars in the past three years. Compare
tive statements Of tax levies show that
the income of the city has grown very
rapidly. In 1912 the city levied $685.
821.04 as city taxes. In 1913 the
amount jumped to $390,875.42 and last
year the amount was $450,962.76. The
amount available for city expenses has
grown from $85 ,639.33 in 1912 to $176,-
919.52 last year. Out of the total of
$538,909.31 collected by the city as
taxes, income taxes and other income
last year $105,475 was paid to the
county treasurer for taxes of the state
and county, $4,000 was turned over
to the board of education, $4,000 to
the industrial board of education, $12,-
$500 for the tuberculosis sanitarium,
$30,040.78 for the library, $2500 to the
cemetery association, $4,000 to the
park commissioners, $797.29 to sprink-
ling contractors, $1491 to the water
board and the remainder, $243, 016.28
was available for the various funds
for expenses. bonds, and interest. Cor
poration license taxes received by the
city last year amounted to over $17,-
600 of which amount $14,34044 was
paid by the Wisconsin Gas and Elec-
trio company and $2,875.13 by the Wis
consin Telephone company.
L4.o,,o I;oo,,Goe a,,J y,o,y,o34a Jca4 ~~a...
the city collected $4,000. From the
municipal court the city received 81
511.68 For interest on banking bal
ances during the year the city re-
ceived $1,949.6S. During the year the
city paid in salaries and expense for the
police department. $2l, 2O6.8S and for
the fire department. $22,611.29. 1t cost
81, 80001 to take care of the paupers
Of the city last year The cost Of
lighting the city was $17,447.79 and
the city expended $5,755.19 for the care
of public grounds. The cost of sewers
and paving last year was $34,603.46
and the city expended for street work.
$36,715.75. The cost OF maintaining
the board of health during the year
was $4,36520. The city paid for in
terest on it's bonded Indebtedness $751;
537.81. On May | of this year there
was balance in bank of $135,475.63
and since that time close to $4,000 has
been added to the funds of the city
by the collection of saloon and other
license fees. The city bill for salaries
during the year was $16,155.59 and the
cost of maintaining the city hall was
$1,17S. The city paid in liquidation of
claims for damages during the year
$59s.24
On the whole the statement indicates
that the city's financial condition is
fully as good as it was at the end of
the former year.
There will be heavy expenses to be
met during the next six months and
it is pretty certain that the city will
be forced to borrow some money before
the time for collection of taxes and it
is expected that the amount will be
about the same as in former years.