Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1920-01-02
SPECIAL TAXES
RAISED BY CITY
IN MANY LINES
License Ordinance Mate
rally Revised Upward
By Council

A new schedule OF special hcenses
went into effect today, following the
action of the city council last night
in approving the new license ordi-
nance presented by the ordinance
committee, submitted by Chairman
W. E. Taylor. The reading of the
ordinances proved hints and predic-
ton of yesterday incorrect, reveal
ing that taxes for the coming year
were raised in nearly all lines of
business, the increases ranging from
$3.50 to $35.
No estimate was offered as to what
increase in revenue from this source
could be expected for the year, but
the raises were general enough and
on sufficient scale to assure consid-
cradle increase. The city treasurer's
records reveal that the special Ii
censes for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1919, yielded $20,950. It was
believed by some that the new sched-
ule will brine he revenue from this
source up to ,.-obably $25, 900. The
changes in the schedule, with several
new items, are published in an ad-
Joining column.
Rigid Economy Forecast.
Although only in an informal way,
the council last night indicated that
it was determined to conduct the af
fairs of the city in a much more
rigid and economical manner during
the coming year. This was indicated
when Chairman J. E. Poole, of the
france committee, offered resolu-
tion that it be the sense of the coun-
ell that the labor payroll for the
stu department be reduced to an
ave, ..ge r. $3.50 for the yea Few
figures \ offered to give isis
for the saving. 1t was stated by
City Superintendent Ansley that the
rayroll is running between $400 and
$3.50 per week, including the sanitary
force. Mr.. Poole declared his maxi
mum was not meant to include the
sanitary force nor the salaries of
the street overseer nor half of the
salary of the city superintendent,
which is charged to the street depart
ment, the other half being charged
to the water department. He told
tie council, however, he had learned
that the street payroll carried the
mes of 33 laborers, and he was of
.-.e opinion that this number should
be reduced to 90 or % regular men,
to be supplemented when conditions
ire, with extra forces hired by
the day for necessary periods. He
declared that the short days at this
season of the year did not seem to
warrant carrying so large a force,
and that it would be great economy
to reduce it to minimum and sup
plement it during the season of long
er days when necessary, maintaining
an average for the year of the $3.50
maximum suggested.
Proposai Goes Over.
r. E. Allison, chairman of the
streets and sidewalks committee,
stating that he was uninformed on
the subject, asked that the PROPOSAL
be held over until the next meeting,
which was agreed to.
1 mother example of economy on
the part of the council last night
was the decision not to Supplement
he salary of the county health officer
for the coming year, as had been
done during the last six months. The
matter came uo on recommendation
of DR.. j. w. Chambliss. chairman of
the city board of health, who request
ed that the council provide for the
payment during the coming year Of
$75 per month to DR.. B. F. Bond as
city health officer, to supplement the
<-slary of $125 per month paid him
( ! the county.
The information was given the
body by Mayor Sheppard that under
the Ellis Health law the county is re-
ouired to maintain a county health
officer, and that, as the city is a part
of the county, it is the duty of this
officer to act in the city as we'll as
outside of it. He explained that the
city had appropriated this supple
{ entail salary in the past, realizing
dat the amount paid by the county
was not sufficient to retain the serv-
ices Of DR.. Bond, but he expressed
the belief that the matter was one
for the county board to handle here
after without city assistance, espe-
cjally in view of the necessity for
rigid economy on the part of the city
for the year.
Dr. Bonds report up to the end
of the year was submitted bv DR.
Chambliss and ordered filed for ref.