The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-29
Pertinent Questions Regarding Proposed
Bond Issue For Good Roads Answered
By Polk County Good Roads Association

ISOLATION has had many questions
asked by Taxpayers interested in the
matter of bonding the county and
the campaign committee has aIt-
lined answers TO those questions
which they respectfully submit ard
will be glad to take up any others
which may BE- suggested.
No. 1--Wnat is the amount Of
the bonds to be voted?
This will be determined exactly
by the bids which shall be finally
accepted by the commissioners after
The engineering work has been COM
cleted and plans and specifications
submitted to contractors and mater
ial decided upon. 1t is thought the
amount will net exceed one million
dollars.
No. 2-What is the mileage Of the
roads?
The mi.eagc is 211 miles and in
cludes all the main highways of tile
county, 50 that every town in the
county will be connected with ev-
cost. This same type of ,oad was
constructed iii r,ustis, Lake count.
three years ago. Is in as good condi-
ton as when laid and has Mother
| ~ a i-c ~
construction mas been used also at
Sebring, Tarpan Springs ana othcr
points in the State and at the pros
cry other town in the county by q
hard surfaced road.
No. S-Why are not lateral roads
included in I'll. scheme?
The hard-surfacing of lateral
roads was provided for in the scheme
presented by the Good Roads Asso-
citation, involving a MILEAGE 81 ahaut
4 so miles. bit the commissions IS
turned this dawn because II would
have necesstatei a bond issue cF
two millions which they considered
impossible at Ills time. as II wor,c
have necessitatn, doubling The pres
emit road tax IN order to pay inter,
ast and provide sinking fund
No. 4,Tlow will present lateral
oads and Other new roads be tax -
care of?
The lateral roads will 10 taken
care of ana b:mGht up to the prAs
tnt condition OF our sand-clay roads
| ~ means CT the surplus Of the pros
! cnt road FUND after allowing for
interest and sinking fund On the
proposed bond issue and by the nat
ural large increase in the assessed
value of lands in the county (now
only carrying nominal assessment
Through the Improvement Of the
main hiehways.
No What increase in present
road tax viii BE necessary to pay
interest, provide sinking fund and
allow for maiatainance of lateral
roads.
No incr ase will be necessary in
| the present ROAD tax for bond is
sue of one miiiioa dollars. The pres
ent net income of about $4,000
from the road taxes will pay the in
terest at 8 per cont on a million doll
lar bond issue. provide for sinkinr
fund to retire the bonds and leave 4
substantial amount for improvement
of lateral roads.
No. 6-W:ll all the roads out
lined be built from the proceeds of
the bond issue?
If any OF tn, roads under the pro-
rosed plan are built all of them as
shown on the map will be built, be-
cause the contract will specify ire
completion of al, of these roads for
the amount of the contractors bid
Nov. Who will handle the
proceeds of the bonds?
The law provides that the pro
ceeds of the bond issue shall be han |
died by bond trustees.
No. S-Wha will be the width I
OF the roads?
The width of the various roads
has been outlined by tho county |
commissioners but may be subject
20 change where deemed necessary
Scfore notice Of election
No. Wn,t material will be
usado
Brick and modified sheet asphalt
are the two types of construction
considered practicable in this section
Brick will cost however, neariF
three times ttc amount OF asphalt,
with the further consideration that
II brick should be used almost ev-
cry dollar Of tn bond issue woul1
leave the county forever because
material and expert labor required
would have to be imported II as
rhalt should be used only ten to
fifteen per cent of material would
have to be brought in and little ex-
pert assistance. leaving balk Of
money in circulation at homa Il
10. I6-If modified sheet as
III. 4,Ii - ,gln;doJ ,,pon vybo4 &c