Evening journal., 1919-01-13
BUILD COURT HOUSE
WITHOUTBONDISSUE
Kent County's Financial
Condition Commented on
by Auditors
USE ROAD Nc NEY TO
PUT UP STREET LAMPS

Special TO The Evening Journal.
DOVER, Del, Jan. i3.--Walter Q. Hof
fecker. Of smyrna, and John C. Hop
kins. Dover. auditors appointed by
Resident Associate Judge w II. Boyce
OF Kent county, under the state laws "a
audit the books OF Kent County Comp
troller Harry r. Grieves, have sub
mit;ed their report TO Judge Boyce as
follows
I'VE have examined the books and
accounts Of Harry b. Grieves, comp
troller OF Kent county, and find them
correct.
Receipts from December 4, 1917, 20
December 1. 1918, sis0,6007s; expendi-
lures from December 4, 1917. TO Decem-
ber 1, 1918, si4i, ,32s26. December 1,
1915 balance in general fund. S39,27252.
Uncollected taxes, s2s.l77.S2.
Kent county indebtedness, si95,Oo0
Good roads account, total receipts,
ksf,2s2s5: expenditures. Si5,5is.s3; bal
sEce in good roads account December
1. 1918. si5.73402.
"A year ago, we somewhat reluctant
Iy. lest we might be regarded as ex-
ceeding our prerogative, recommend
that the Levy Court cease road build
ing for the year 1918. A glance at the
good roads account reveals as a result
or this course by the Levy Court. a saw
ing OF over $4,000 10 the county. The
total expenditures for good roads In
1917 We're S45.659iS. In 1918 they were
fi5.54Ss3
Under expenditures VIII be noted
the item. Court House repairs, S45.-
2S6.7s. We feel especial attention would
be given this item for the reason that
not bond has been issued nor a penny
added TO the tax rate TO produce this
revenue. 10 results from an economical
administration Of our county affairs
and a careful watch over all eXpendi-
lures by the county comptroller. When
this office was created the county was
largely IN debt, but by careful scrutiny
Of all expenditures and the require
ment that all bills presented be item
lied IN detail, a splendid balance is now
shown an the credit side Of the ledger,
clearly demonstrating our of express
ed opinion 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 well indeed for those adj
ministering our county affairs. =.
Touching the mater Of appropri-
ations TO towns totalling last year s5,-
255, 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 vehicul-
Jar travel. and not for repairs TO side
Walks, the purchase and erection of
street lamps, salaries, 20 street lamp
lighters, etc. 10 has been suggested
that there aer several towns in the
county thus abusing or misusing this
money. We sugeg ttttseahh emf emf
money We suggest that the Levy |
Court take such action as will compel !
the proper application Of these sp- |
Preparations.
We must not refrain from again /
urging more care In the matter Of pur-
,hase Of supplies and materials Of all
kinds for county use whether they be
Tor ofllce 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
var conditions deserves commendati0n
'f 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"