The Ocala evening star., 1915-09-11

Nothing wasted near him. Also serv-
ed the city many years.
Police Department
Everybody likes congenial Frank
Adams, serving his second term as
chief. No complaints have been heard
that he shirks his duties.
Street Department
Mr. Marsh is the best and most
conscientious man that ever served
the city as superintendent of streets.
Sanitary Department
Mr.. Cleveland has been employed
by the city for many years, served as
the head of various departments and
given entire satisfaction With such
men serving the city, we need not
worry about extravaganza.
/ believe IN true economy every
where. I also believe in safe guard
ing the city's funds. / do not sane
ton questional deals with city's Sc
curities, and we should not try TO save
at the spigot and let waste at the
bung.
The revised budget is a gaseous, IL
Eliminating, and plausible grand stand
play, and bears all the ear marks of
having been coached in it's prepara-
tion by ex-councilmen who favor high
rate on lighting to the consumer, and
enthusiastic advocates of large bond
issues, having assured the people
that bond issues would not increase
taxation, but now the chickens come
home to roost, but nobody wants the
chickens. In my opinion there will be
another crop, as the roosters can be
heard Growing already.
Gentlemen, / have shown the lee
trio light plant has never been sup
ported by a direct tax. The water
plant is not self-supporting, at pres
ent. The street department needs ev-
cry dollar provided for by the origi-
nal budget. The provision for side
walk Indebtedness should remain al
so. This would leave a reduction of
$500 in the sanitary department ac-
complished by the revised budget, and
add an Indebtedness to the general
fund of $1,O6s, so let us consider the
original budget and make provisions
that will cover every city depart
ment.
In the last paragraph of the re-
vised budget Mr.. Moore says: an
submitting this revised budget, have
| baa,, r-,,,daJ SoIoIx, ~, a dos;-- e. o.~a
for the tax payers of the city. 1t is
claimed that the city should pay q
high rate for light and water, in or
der that showing can be made in
these departments, but don't feel
that the average tax payer desires to
have false profits made at his ex-
pense, in order that the non-tax payer
may be benefited by it."
Now, the light and water commit
tee makes no such claims.
First: The hydrant rental is the
same.
Second: City water is 33 1870 low
er.
Third: The city lighting rate for
streets was recommended to be plac-
ed back to its former rate, all other
services provided with meters have
been charged with meter rates.
The revised budget means low mil
lage to the direct tax payers and q
high rate for light and water to the
consumers. 1t also means to let 2S9
nonresident property owners pay no
tax for city lighting, city water and
hydrant rentals by which they enjoy
a low rate of insurance, and make a
higher rate to 76 consumers, non-tax
payer, which would effect every consul
mer tax payer, and make him pay
the high rate.
The high rate for light and water to
the consumers is done for two rea-
sons.
First: High rates will cause the
consumers to become dissatisfied with
municipal ownership of public utili-
ties, and open a way for some corpo-
ration to obtain a city franchise.
Second: The enthusiastic bunch of
bond spouters who assured the tax
payers that the rate of taxation would
not increase, are afraid to face the
issue, would not even make provision
for bond interest and sinking fund
on water bonds, which would increase
millage for general fund pa mills, sc
all kinds of excuses and pretexts are
offered to delay the building of com
bined light and water plant, which the
: city needs so badly. OF course, nC
, millage being provided the plant can
not be built.
]. NJ. Meffert, Pres. City Council
OcaIa Flo Cant 1015