The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-08-26

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the head of sundry expenses, in the
previous budget is an item OF $500. II
would seem poor policy for this coun-
ell TO allow an estimate OF this size
for sundries. for under this head
great many items might be carried.
and in view of present conditions it
is not my opinion that we should viii
fully increase the cost of operations in
any department OF the city govern
ment, but rather that we should cur
tail all expenses. and the heads OF all
departments should bear this fact
in mand during the coming year, and
a failure of any department so to
do should be considered a cause for
removal of the head OF that depart
ment.
Fire Department
salaries is the same as was stated in
the original budget. The amount for
horse feed is the same as in the orig
inal estimate, but this amount would
terest on the new fire truck (which
will be $500 per year, at the time the
new fire truck will be delivered to the
city and the horses disposed of. For
sundries and repairs 1 have allowed
the sum of $500, which, in my opin-
ion, would be more than enough for
this item, If proper care is exercised
in the operation of this department.
have also allowed the sum of $500
for new hose. For hydrant rentals
have allowed but $243O, which is but
half the amount of the original bud
get In my opinion it is unfair TO the
tax payers of this city to be called on
to furnish not only police protection
but fire protection to the non-tax pay
ers, and the deficiency of the water
department Off there is any should
not be foisted upon the tax payers, as
it is a well known fact that a large
proportion Of the consumers OF water
do not contribute anything directly to
the expenses OF operating the city;
and, furthermore, the light and water
committee have stated that within a
short time the water plant viii be OPP
Grated in a much more economical
manner; and, as / have previously
stated, to foist the deficiency that
may occur in the operation of the wa
ter plant, by reason OF it's low rates,
upon the tax payer is adding a double
burden, or requiring approximately
less than one-third of our total adult
population to bear all the expenses of
the city government in order that the
remainder may enjoy the convenience
es of a modern city without contrib
uting to the supper tot the various de-
partments.
Health Department
In this department l have struck
off the amount OF $91.96, which is al
lotted for sundries. During the past
year this department was completely
equipped, and should be operated with
as little expense as possible, notwith-
standing the fact that in this depart
ment the citizens of Ocala have per-
haps received more direct benefit
than from any other department of
the city, for the records of the city
schools now show that since this de-
partment was established the per-
centage of absentees on account OF
sickness has dropped to approximate
ly ten per cent. OF the number for
merly absent
Contingencies
Under the sub-head OF contingen-
cies, / have cut the amount allowed
for advertising from $41s to $3.50. for
the reason that we will have no side
walk advertising this year. and it is
not probable there will be any special
elections, and we have not publish
ed the auditors report. all OF which
were an expense in the preceding
year. For books and stationery /
have allowed 800.
l have been informed that he tele-
phone company has raised the rate
from 81 per month to So this without
tic NOnSCAI VI NhC OhNy ihoS-
much as there seems to have been an
agreement with the previous council
that the city should be furnished
phones at 50 per month. / cannot see
how the Telephone Company can.
without consulting this council. raise
its rates. In this connection desire
to invite the attention of the council
to the fact of the continued use by
this company of the city's poles, and
would suggest that the chairman OF
the light and water committee have
the superintendent OF the electric
light plant make a report to this coun-
Gil of the number OF attachments by
telegraph and telephone companies
upon the poles and equipment OF the
lighting department. in order that
suitable charge may be made for sIch
attachments, as it is no more than
fair that these companies should bear
part OF the expense for the main
tenance OF the poles that they are
now occupying.
In the original budget the sum 0f
s125 is allotted for insurance, while