The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1920-12-15
INCREASES IN
CITY BUDGETS
WILL PROVIDE
IMPROVEMENTS
Large Amount of Paving and
Concrete Work Planned By
Several Cities
MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS
WILL BE CONSTRUCTED
Construction Planned in City
Plays Important Part in
Northwest Part

St. Paul, Dec. 15.-Increased city
budgets to provide funds for building,
paving and sewer improvements, for
parks, schools, hospitals and tourist
headquarters, have been authorized
ny an impressive number Of MinnesO-
ia municipalities. Judging from data
collected during the past week by
The Merchants National Bank Of St.
Paul.
A few cities reported approximate
~ the same budgets for 1921 that
were approved for 1920. In two or
three instances. however, the 1920
expenditures were considered extra
ordinary as several cities financed i'm
portant paving undertakings this
year. Bankers in few county seats
where agricultural uncertainties have
severely been felt stated that their
cities either had not taken final &C
lion on 1921 budgets, or had adopt
ed budget similar to the 1920 to-
tai.
1t is evident that a tremendous
mount Of paving, concrete work ana
ever Improvement is planned by
city councils. Shortage Of cement,
labor difficulties. and other handi-
caps caused number of cities to
postpone or halt work this summer.
Cement companies have notified off,
Gals, county commissioners, and 9TH
crs that they are prepared to take
orders for guaranteed delivery lat
any time" ,
Erection OF city halls or other mu-
ricipal buildings evidently will not
he an important feature of proposed
municipal activities. Paving seems
to call for the greater appropriations
for special undertakings; school con-
.truction apparently Is second. Wa
ter and lighting plants are to be
built in several small cities.
St Puul's 1921 budget shows not
able reduction It will be $685.
9GO.75 compared with $1O,5SS,S6
for 1920.
According to report of the st.
Paul comptroller, $3,20O,0OO to be
financed by bond issue is to be put
into municipal projects. This plan
is to provide $1.OOO,OOO for paw
ing, $2,OOO,OOO for school building
construction, and $500, 600 for water
utDdI lIIIpl
Duluth's budget has been increas-
ed. A 1G mill tax on an estimated
valuation Of $72.OOO.0O0 will yield
$1.152,O0O compared with $S84,O0O
last year raised by tax Of - mills
on $50, 100000 valuation. Tch
leading municipal project Is a bond is
sue for paving Bemidji increased
it's budget from $G2,50O to $G5,940.
The White Way is to be completed,
also the armory building. bonds
have been voted for new high
school: the park board has levied
$4,000 for Il bath house and pavil-
ion and improved camping facilities
at Diamond Point. This city park
will be made attractive for touring
parties.
Mabel, in Fillmore county, will in
grease it's budget to erect new wa
ter tower to replace the one which
collapsed. Wendell will use pOr-
ton OF its budget which will be the
same this year for street work.
Wheatnn's budget Of $4,000 will be
double the amount for this year and
a steel water tank and tower are to
be built.
Mahn0men has not increased it's
budget and no municipal improve
mcnts Of note are projected. Thief
River Falls increased its total from
$4,000 to $4,000 and will do con-
siderable paving. Austin will have
budget of $1O7.O50, or an increased
total Of $4,000. The city council,
however, is expected to take action on
Continued on Page 81