The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-04-05
ocALA's BEST INTERESTS
President Mefert Gives Official In
formation in Regard to Electric
Current Plant

formation in Regard to Electric
Current Plant
Editor Star: In the past few weeks
quite a number OF tax payers have
me desiring information
regarding the cost of generating
electric current, also, if it was TO the
city's best interest to buy current
from outside parties, or produce it at
our plant, and what the cost of gen
Grating would be on new combined
water and light plant at switchboard,
including interest, depreciation and
sinking fund Having been accused
of being violently opposed to pur-
chasing current from outside parties,
and for fear that they might believe
me biased on the subject, / viii refer
them to proceedings Of last years /
city council and reports from the
chairman of the light and water COM
nlittee, which were largely taken
from estimates made by competent /
engineers employed by the city coun- |
ell at a cost of $3.50 including ex-
penses for sewerage system. The es-
tinated cost of water works and cleo
{ trio power plant combined, large
enough to supply population of TO-
/ 900 people, will not exceed $780,
600, and by adding an oil engine of
three hundred K w. capacity with an
additional cost of about $4,000, this
engine only to be operated when the
I load comes near three hundred K. w,
this engine then would produce cur
4 rent for less than one cent per K. w.
The following are the proceedings
taken from records:
"Bids for furnishing power, upon
motion of E. C. Bennett, which were
agreed upon and so ordered. The
light and water committee of the city
council was authorized to ask for
bids from individuals and corpora
tions to furnish the city with electric
bcurrent."
. When this was made known num-
Der of our business men, objecting to
such move and opposed it so strong
; ly that the board of governors of the
! Marion County Board of Trade, and
! several of the most influential citi-
zens met and passed resolutions in a
most strong and forceful manner;
! nevertheless, bids were received by
|. the council from several parties, duly
) considered, but neither was accepted.
+ Resolution by E. E. Robinson
t Mr.. Robinson read the following
! which was unanimously adopted OF
{. roll call:
e Whereas, It is deemed advisable
that the city of Ocala make adequate
/ preparations for furnishing its citi
r zens with electric light and power
; and whereas, the ACCESSIBILITY of ex
o pending a large sum of money by tn,
a city in the erection and equipment o.
e new and adequate electric light anC
Il power facilities viii soon be befor'
v this council; and whereas, it is tn,
Y part of wisdom for this council as rep
e resentatives of the people to thor
Ie oughly investigate all. practical meth
r DDS of supplying electric current TO
o light and power at the lowest posi-
II Die cost, in order that manufacturing
l. ray be induced to locate here, then b.
It it resolved:
i 'sFirst That the light and waite
; committee of this council be instruct
lie ed to furnish this body with com
% plete report of the cost of producing
u and furnishing electric light an
IT power with the present facilities, in
" Guiding in such report cost, interest
sinking fund and depreciation.
rs Second. That they thoroughly in
ye vestigate the cost of producing an
id furnishing electric light and power b
y municipal owned plant, with stear
ic turbine, oil engines and other moder
to methods, including in such report tn
t. cost of equipping and maintainin
Id such plants, including interest, sink
ID ing fund and depreciation.
I'd Third That they be empowere
m to receive bids after due advertise
ut ment, from private parties, for ful
Mt nishing electric light and power t
nv the city, to be furnished by the cit
nd to It's citizens; to propose such sp,
er cifcations, terms and conditions 9
I'd will properly safeguard the interei
of the citizens and financial welfal
or of the city and to require such bono
RS as will adequately protect such bic
and the interest of the city.
Fourth That the sum of one hui
- bred dollars be placed It the dispos
- of the committee as expense none
30 such parts as may be necessary to
,at expended in securing competent a
- vice and information in connectit
- With carrying out the provisions
this resolution"
These resolutions are very careful