The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-28
Published in The Topeka State Journal
March Is, 1871
HOUSE BILL No. A6.

HOUSE BILL No. 546.
AN ACT relating to bridges in second class
cities in counties having an assessed val
uation in excess of one hundred and
twenty million dollars, and supplemental
to section 1913 Of the General Statutes of
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the
State of Kansas:
Section L Whenever in any county hav-
ing an assessed valuation for taxation pur-
poses of more than one hundred and
twenty million dollars. the mayor and
Gated therein shall contract for the altering,
changing, diverting and otherwise improy-
ing the channel of any watercourse. within
or outside the city limits, provided for
in section 113J of the General Statutes of
Kansas Of 1915, and the pursuance thereof
shall necessitate the reconstruction: I'M
provement, removal or relocation of any
bridge or bridges. within outside the
city limits, the mayor and council of any
such city is hereby authorized to receive
aid and contributions toward the pay
ment of the cost thereof from and may con-
tract and cooperate with municipal and
other corporations and individuals of this
or any other state: Provided. that the
mayor and council of any such city may
provide for the payment of the cost, dam
age and expense of every kind and nature
occasioned by the reconstruction, improve
ment. removal or relocation Of any bridge
contributed or paid for such purposes,
by the levy of special taxes or assessments
upon all the taxable. property lying within
benefit district. by ordinance created.
declared and established by the council.
If the council shall determine that the
cost, or any part thereof, ought to be paid
by the levy of special assessments upon the
property within a benefit district. then ii
shall by ordinance so declare and establish
benefit district, defining the boundaries,
and the assessments upon the several lots,
pieces and parcels of land therein shall be
made according 70 the assessed value there
of. without regard to the building i'm
provements thereon, which said value shall
be ascertained by three disinterested APP
praisers appointed by the council, who
shall, within ten (10) days after their said
appointment, proceed to appraise said lots.
pieces and parcels of land. within said
benefit district, first having taken and sub
scribed an oath to make true and impair
tial appraisement thereof; which appraise-
at the first meeting thereof, after the same
shall have been completed. When the said
appraisement has been returned, the mayor
and council shall appoint time for hold
ing a special session to hear any complaint
that may be made as to the valuation of
any lot or tract of land as aforesaid A
notice of such special session shall be
given in the official paper of the city and
said mayor and council at said special ses-
sion may alter the valuation of any lot
or tract of ground If in their judgment
the same has been assessed too high or too
low. 1t shall not be necessary in such
notice SO given of such special session to
describe the land assessed, nor state the
name or names of the persons against whose
property any assessment is made. but notice
being given that such appraisement has
been made and is on file in the office of the
city. clerk. all taxpayers must take notice
piece or parcel Of land within said benefit
district, liable to any assessment. may at
amount due from such lot. piece or parcel
of land IS ascertained, and before the bonds
hereinafter provided for are issued, pay
the amount assessed thereon to the city
treasurer. and said property paid on
shall not thereafter be liable for any fur
ther assessment for the cost of said work.
nor for the payment of the bonds issued
therefor. All assessments made pursuant
to the provisions of this act shall be certi-
fled by the city clerk to the county clerk
to be placed on the tax rolls for collection.
subject to the same penalties and collected
in the same manner as other taxes under
existing lava Where payment in whole
or in part is to be made by the levy of
special assessments. the council may, In
its discretion, instead Of levying the entire
special assessment therefor at one time.
provide for the payment of the same by
installments and issue improvement bonds
therefor. payable in instaIiments OF ap
proXimately equal amounts each year. for
such number of years as may be deemed
advisable. not TO exceed twenty f20b years.
Such improvement bonds shall be in such
denomina lions the council may prescribe.
and shall bear interest at rate net ex-
ceeding six percent tGge) payable semiaH-
nuslly: but no bonds shall be issued under
the provisions of this act until the expira-
ton of thirty (30) days after the amount
due from the lots. pieces and parcels Of
land liable for special assessment has been
ascertained. Said bonds shall not be issued
cost of said work. to be borne and paid by
the city issuing such bonds. which shall in
ciuae the cost ana expense OF every kind,
nature and description In any wise con-
nected with. arising from. growing out of
or rendered necessary by reason Of such
reconstruction improvement removal or
relocation Of any bridge or bridges. The
mayor and council shall be the sole judges
of the necessity for and the expedieney Of
the making Of the improvements herein
provided for and the manner Of the pay
mert Of the cost thereof. and this act shall
be literally construed TO encourage the i'm
provement Of natural EaterceurSes to pro-
teet lands from damage and from injury
by overflow and to promote the public
health. convenience and welfare. and
any wise challenging the validity Of any
proceedings instituted or carried on under
and by virtue OF this art or to set aside
any general special tax or assessment.
or To enjoiH the making. levy or collection
of-any such tax or assessment. or any In
sta fiment thereof herein provided for. or
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