Milford chronicle., 1919-01-17
BUILD COURT HOUSE
WITHOUT BOND issue
Kent COunty's Financial Condition Is
Commented on by the
Auditors

Walter o. Hoffecker of Smyrna and
John c. Hopkins of Dover. auditors
appointed by Resident Judge W. H..
Boyce of Kent county, under the State
laws to audit the books of Kent county
comptroller Harry B. Grieves, have
submitted their report to Judge Boyce
as follows:
I'VE have examined the books and
accounts of Harry B. Grieyes. comp
troller of Kent county. and find them
correct.
Receipts from December /, 1917. to
December /, 1918. $1SO, SCOTS; expendi-
lures from December 1, 1917, to De
cember 1. 1918. S141. 32S.26; December
1, 1918. balance in general fund,
SS9,272.52
"Uncolleeted taxes, $2S,477.32.
Kent county Indebtedness, $195.O00.
Good roads account, total receipts,
SS1.2S2.S5; expenditures. $15.54s.S3; ;
balance in good roads account Decem-
Der 1. 1918. s15,73402
"A year ago we somewhat reluctant
ly. lest we might be regarded as ex-
ceeding our prerOgative. recommended
that the Levy Court cease road build
ing for the year 1918. A glance at the
good roads account reveals a result
of this course by the Levy Court, a
saving of over $4,000 to the county
The total expenditures for good roads
in 1917 were $45.659.1S: in 1918 they
were S15.54s.SS.
Under expenditures will be noted
the item. Court House repairs, S45.-
2S6.74. We feel especial attention
should be given this item for the reA-
son that not a bond has been issued
nor a penny added to the tax rate to
produce this revenue. 1t results from
an economical administration of our
county affairs and a careful watch
over all expenditures by the county
comptroller When this office was
created the county was largely in debt.
but by careful scrutiny of all expendi-
lures and the requirement that all
bills presented be itemized in detail,
a splendid balance is now shown on
the credit side of the ledger, clearly
demonstrating our oft expressed opin-
ion that this Office, with the right man
in it. is one of the best we have in the
interest OF the taxpayers.
The new Court House or County
Building, when completed, will be a
beautiful and thoroughly convenient
and up-to-date building for all county
uses, and that it can be built without
either increasing the taxes or issuing
bonds speaks we'll indeed for those
administering our county affairs.
touching the matter of apprODria-
tiOns TO towns tOtalling last year So
2I5, the law clearly cOntemplates that
the money thus appropriated be ex-
pended only and wholly for repairs to
road-bed or street as used for vehicu-
lar travel, and not for repairs to side
walks, the purchase and erection of
street lamps, salaries to street lamp
lighters, etc. 1t has been suggested
that there are several towns in the
county thus abusing or misusing this
money. We suggest that the Levy
Court take such action as will compel
the proper appHcatio of these appro-
priations.
We must not refrain from again
urging more care in the matter of pur-
chase of supplies and materials of all
kinds for county use, whether they be
for Office or other departments of the
county administration. And this ap-
plies with equal force to all other
county expenditures. The splendid
showing of this report in the face of
war conditions deserves commenda-
tion of the taxpayers of this county,
and is another evidence OF faithfulness
and devotion to duty on the part of the
man in the Office of county comptroller.
Respectfully submitted
WALTER o. HOFFECKER,
JOHN c. HOPKINS,
Auditors"