The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-12-31
Pertinent Questions Regarding Proposed
Bond Issue For Good Roads Answered
By Polk County Good Roads Association

I SocldlloH mas ddu many Questions
asked by Taxpayers interested in the
matter of bonding the county ard
the campaign committee has out-
| lined answers TO those questions
which they respectfully submit ard
will be glad to take up any others
! which may be suggested
No. What 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 mileage is 2l1 miles and in
cludes all the main highways of the
county, 50 that every town in the
county will be connected with ev-
cost. This same type of road was
constructed in Eustis, Lake county.
| three years ago. is in as good condi-
tion as when laid and has neither
had or needed any repairs. This
construction has been used also at
Sebring. Tarpan Springs and otter
points in the State and at the pres
cry other town in the county by
hard surfaced road.
No. 3-Why are not lateral roads
included in til. scheme?
The hard-surfacing Of lateral
roads was provided for in the scheme
presented by the Good Roads Asso
citation, involv ing mileage Of about
$50 miles, hut the commissioners
turned this down because it would
have necessitatei a bond issue of
two millions which they considered
impossible at this time, as 1t wou!G
have necessitatci doubling the pres
ent road tax in order to pay inter
est and provide sinking fund.
No. Allow will present lateral
roads and othcl new roads be taken
care of?
The lateral roads will be taken
care of and b",ught up to the pres
crt condition of our sand-clay roads
by means of the surplus of the pres
ent 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 hishways.
No. 5-Whsi increase in present
road tax will 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
cue of on miijioa dollars. The pres
eEt net income of about $4,000
from the road taxes will pay the in
,erest at per cont on a million dol
lar bond issue, provide for sinking
fund to retire the bonds and leave a
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 the 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 the |
completion of al, of these roads for
the amount of the contractors bid i
Nov. Who will handle the
proceeds of the bonds?
The law provides that the pro
c eds of tie bond issue shall be han
oled by bond trustees.
No. VIVA will be the width
OF the roads?
The width Of the various roads
has been outlined by the county
commissioners but may be subject
% change whore deemed necessary
}eforc notice Of election
No. Wat material will be
usedo
Brick and modified sheet asphalt
arc the two types Of con 3truction
practicable in this section
Brick will cost however, nearly
three times the amount OF asphalt,
with the further consideration shat
II brick should be used almost ev-
cry dollar OF tn. bond issue would ,
leave the county forever because {
and expert labor required {
would have to be imported II as {
rhalt should be used only ten to :
fifteen per cent of material would :
heve to be brought in and little ex- 5
Dert assistance. leaving bllk OF I
money in circulation at homo. h
No. 10-Ii modified sheet as
halt shall be decided upon, what is
Known about It's durability, cost OF