Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-06
CITY MANAGER PLAN AS
APPLIED HERE IS DISCUSSED

economically we have more money t,
spread over improving the less i'm
portant streets and the outskirts Of
the city.
eve have lowered the total taxes
for next year for city purposes from
thirty-seven and half mills tt
twenty-nine mills, reduction OF
eight and half mills, a total direc1
saving of $500 in taxes. We haven
reduced on work either. We are hir
ing just as many men and are pay.
ing them just as much money fol
their labors We are keeping all the
old men who want to work, and have
increased the wages of some of them
1--WE have put in 10000 square
yards of paving at ten cents yari
less than that laid down under the
old council, despite the fact that tho
cost Of cement and other material is
higher. This is a great saving to the
property owner.
eve have put in 5000 linear feet
of gutter at ten cents a linear foot
less than the old council paid 70.
similar work. In this manner we
saved $500 for those who paid for
the work.
AS he outlined the economies prac-
ticed by the council and city mana
ger the voters gave vent to their APP
proval with generous applause.
! Mr.. Clark declared that if the
Question of returning to the old form
of municipal rule was put before the
voters of Webster City he was conf
dent that the commission manager
government would be retained by a
larger majority than when the ques-
ton was originally voted on, which
was two or three to one
Despite the fact that a saving OF
over $4,000 has been made in Web
lster City in about year, under the
new form of government, he point
ed out that improvements were con-
tinually being made toward the bet
terment of the city.
Some have an idea that the COM
Imission-manager plan is a one-man
power" Mr.. Clark said. land we had
that criticism CT the plan fired at us
in Webster City, but when one inves-
tigates he will find that the people
hold the reins just like -any other
form of government"
''The city manager, the speaker
Informed his auditors" holds Office
under the supervision and direction
of the council He is accountable
to the council and he can be removed
without cause. The law specifically
puts him under the council The
council in turn is responsible to the
people. If the manager does not do
what is expected and required Of
him by the council, off goes his
head; if the council does not please
the people, off go our heads
when the council meets, once or
twice month, the manager is pres
ent as well as the solicitor, manager
of the light plant, police chief, and
city clerk. All of these employees
have say in the proceedings. The
real power in the commssion-mana
ger government rests with the cour-
Gil, although that body is not requir-
ed to work half as hard as the coun-
Gil does under the old mayor and
council rule
Mr.. Clark asserted that one of the
features of the commission manager
plan was quick action 1T does not |
take the council long to do business, .
continued the speaker. There are no
tie votes and not many arguments.
"All the old laws govern the coun-
ell under the new plan except those
which differ with the statutes under
ne uldudSeI pan.
"Ordinances under the manager |
plan are placed on file for seven days
with the clerk and are open to in
,pection. If the ordinance is pass
I'd by the council it does not become
, law for ten days following. All pro-
.eedings of the council are published
n an official paper Publicity is the
great safeguard in any form of gov
'
IF the people don't like an ordin-
nee they can circulate a petition
md if it is signed by twenty-five per ID
ent of the voters the council must
ther REPEAL it or call an election on
t.
IF the people vote the ordinance
own it is withdrawn. If it is ap-
roved at the election it goes into
fleet, but petition can be present