The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-08-23
REPORTED SEIZURE OF MEXICAN SCHOONER BY GOVERNMENT
City Spends Amount Far
In ExceSSOfIts Estimates
The Budget Disregarded
Money is Spent in a Lavish
Manner, as Shown by
Report of Auditor.

That the city of Pensacola has spent
an amount far in excess of its esti-
mates and that the commissioners
pay absolutely no attention to the
budget, supposed to regulate all ex-
penditures, and which they adopted
last year, is clearly shown by the
audit made by R. T. Raines. This,
when compared with the budget
adopted by the commissioners, in
which amounts are allotted for the
various departments for the twelve
months, shows the commissioners are
spending money with reckless hand
and are not being governed by the
budget in doing SO.
The budget shows there was appro-
priated for general expenses for a
period of twelve months the sum of
$26,620 Auditor Raines's report
shows that the commissioners drew
from this fund for a period of only
six months the sum of S33,414.35. If
they spend at the same rate for twelve
months they will have expended from
the general fund over $4,000 more
than the budget called for.
The budget shows for the police de-
partment an appropriation of SAL
ATT for the year. Auditor Rainess
report shows the commissioners have
expended in six months So, 684.79
and at this rate for the twelve months
/ they will have spent Sac, 1863, over
/ $4,000 more than estimated and have
maintained only skeleton police
police force.
For the street fund yhe budget an
tpropriated $65, APO for twelve months.
If the commissioners maintain their
present ratio of expenditures for
twelve months they will have spent
$69, 159, or about $4,000 more than
estimated, and this does not take into
consideration that special street
force is operated and paid out of the
general fund.
The fire department budget shows
an annual appropriation of $38,s34.
The report of the auditor shows
$19,852 has been expended for six
months and if the department is to
be maintained at its present standard
$39,705 will be spent, about one
thousand more than estimated.
For the water department s41 .555
. was ordered set aside for the years
appropriations. Auditor Raines's re-
port shows that for six months
22,208.62 was expended. At this
rate the years expenses will be
$44,417.24, or more than $4,000 in
excess of what was appropriated.
CANNOT CHECK ACCOUNTS.
The auditor in making his reports
to the city commissioners frankly
told them that. he could not check
the accounts and his audit is simply g
check of the receipts and disburse
ment. Appended to his report i.
found the following under the head
ing of comment"
Tax Collectors Notice.
The old system still in vogue. O.
making deposits of collections in cit
banks to credit Of tax collector an,
then checked against by him TO
payments to city treasurer, should b,
discontinued.
The city comptroller now holds in
debtedness certificates of Pensacol
y State Bank, in amount, S11,222.19
for funds so deposited now unpaid
the city attorney can advise as t
prospects of collection and the Iega
status.
The reserve supply of all receipt
i forms used by tax collector, properl,
e numbered, should be kept in vaul
n in comptroller's Office and by him de
e carrying to a ledger the monthly re
; quired; street paving receipts now i
r use are unnumbered.
vi Settlement with treasurer should b
:, made at more frequent intervals.
e Water Department.
IS This department is now compilin
all of it's detail of operations withou
} carrying to ledger the monthly re
e suits. A ledger should be installed
e the monthly segregations Of total
/, from footings of cash book an
d voucher register posted to ledger fo
re proper accounting.
IT Consumers accounts in ledger
should show, in addition to record c
is meter readings, the number of tn
i'd meters in service, whereby proof {
fe income should be verified, that cor
n sumptions from meters purchase
in and placed were being charged, Il