The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-09-08

WHERE TAXES CAN BE SAVED

Within the next few weeks the city budget will be
marck is not taxpayer, directly indirectly should
insist upon material retrenchmen during the next fiscal
year Such step absolutely necessary and must not be
One of the first items upon which great saving without
Of he p6 the ad % %e hGr
and all fees earned through the of city property or time
should be turned back into the city done in
Recently The Tribune sent questonnaire to several
cities of the state covering the item Of city egneerng ex
have been effected in some cities. Minot especially is
shining example.
Superintendent Water Works combined for the sake
of economy Each of the departments pays the City Eng
$15oo per year, total of $4,000 Bismarck being
smaller in population than Mnot and its property valuation
ess should at this figure for the two positions
less With new public work in sight the city
engineer could also supervise the street cleaning depart
ment doing with the expense of and automobile
Kara A. Dickinson, city auditor of Mmo in her letter
compensation paid for supervising any special public work
such waterwork paving etc. since she has known any
thing about the office Mnot has had considerable paving
waerworks SYSTEM elaborate park system and
most extensive sewage disposal plant
Fargo the largest city in the state the City Engineer
is paid salary of $4,000 and required to give all
his time the city and receives other fees of kind
he performs outside service such as privately sur
veyng lots he pays into the City Treasury fees re-
ceved He receives additional compensation in case cas-
involving special assessment work Doubtless Bismarck
city smaller in population and taxable wealth. could Sc
engineer at much less unless the water works de-
partment utilized his services also.
Grand Forks which has 1000 people than
Bismarck pays it's city engineer $1,000 year. giving what
office assistance is necessary.
Dickinson pays one dollar an hour to its city engineer
while actually engaged in work for the city.
Valley City has somewhat the same arrangement as
Bismarck paying its city engineer $50 month and in add
tion $50 paving, sewer and water contracts.
In Bismarck office is furnished the city engineer free
of CHARGE heat light telephone and for blueprint
machine The city engineer is also county surveyor and
of his time is given to the county and much of his
time to work in other cities of the state The arrangement
has been costly for the taxpayers of Bismarck and
the city commission should end the present arrangement
speedily By combining the positions of city engineer and
superintendent of the water works SYSTEM real saving
be effected If this step taken the city engineer
could if not bothered with the county work and outside
jobs direct the street force eectng additional saving
there
Part time arrangements costly in private we'll
public business 1t would be better for Bismarck to have
full time auditor and combined and account
ant full time to handle the finances of the water depart
ment.
The whole field is most profitable for the study of
the commissioners and the voters of the city should bring
pressure to bear in efectng these economies which will
smaller tax bill for Bismarck.
is the time to spending and begin practicng
thrift in the administration of city affairs.