The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-12-04

Had to Prune Funds.
Because of this decrease in assess
ments, close pruning of funds to a
minimum had to be made by the coun-
Gil and strictest economy is to be the
rule to keep within the tax levy and
at the same time, not cut down the
program of development.
An extra tax burden of $4,000 was
also shouldered onto the city by rea-
son of the $20,000,000 boost IN the
assessment figures for the county as
made by the state tax commission.
The city's share of the additional
$4,000 state taxes caused by this is
approximately $4,000.
The estimated revnues for 1925 show
current surplus of $4,000 and spe-
cial revolving fund of $150,000 or a
total of $215,000 cash on hand at the
end of the fiscal year, this helping the
council to meet the shortage.
The expenditures as a total show
that it is estimated to spend approx
mately TN per cent more during 1925
than was spent during 1924, this in
crease being made necessary because
of the increase in growth of the city
which was approximately 8 per, cent.
The budget carries a large enough
appropriation for the police and fire
departments to allow an increase in
salary of SIS a month to the members
Of the departments, exclusive of the
two chiefs. This increase had been
sought in petition presented to the
council by the members of the police
department, and the council feels that
the increase is justified.
The largest increases in expenditure
were made in the police fire and health
departments. In addition to providing
for the increase of salary for police
men as mentioned above, the budget
also provides for the increasing of the
police department by four new police
men and one more policewoman, as
sought by Chief Logan in his report
to the council. With the ever-increas-
ing growth of the city, a larger force
is needed to police the city properly.
Two additional fremen are also pro-
vided for, these to be added to the
hook and ladder company at the No. /
station. This truck company is OPP
Grated by five men as a regular force,
and it is planned to have these addi-
tional men so that there will be six
men on the truck at all times. Two
men are needed to make this change
as the firemen work in 24-hour shifts.
Will Add School Physician.
An increase in the appropriation for
the health department. was made to
make possible the hiring of school
physician, who will make a physical
examination of all school children, and
will be able to advise parents of any
defects that may be found so that
these defects may be corrected by the
family physician. A part of his work
will be an examination to determine
the prevalence of goitre among the
children and to take steps to eradicate
this trouble.
That the program for improvement
has not been curtailed is shown by
the fact that the budget will provide
1 for the following improvements to be
carried on during 1925:
/. The appropriation carries 100000
4 for the city's portion of new pave
ments. This will take care of approx
mately six miles and will limit the
pavement program for 1925 to approx
imately six miles.
2. It also carries $4,000 for the
city's portion of sewers. This will
take care of larger program than was
anticipated year ago.
8. An item of $4,000 is in the bud
get to extend the culvert on Rowland
avenue just south of Division street so
that this low place on Rowland avenue
may be filled up to the proper grade.
This is looking towards the perman-
emit improvement of Rowland avenue
within another two years.
A. There is also an item of $4,000
to widen the bridge in the tannery
yard on Sheridan road. The paving of
Sheridan road is part of the pro-
posed paving program for 1925, and I'M
less this bridge is widened it will mean
that the paving will have to be mar
rowed at this point.
5. There is also an item of $4,000
for the widening of Milwaukee avenue.
This is to widen Milwaukee avenue
along the Pennoyer property recently
purchased by the city.
6. There is also an item of $4,000
for the purchase of property on, Wash
ington Island for park purposes. The
city has recently gone through con-
demnation proceedings for the acquir-
ing of the property on Washington Is
land, There is approximately $4,000
available from the funds donated by
Mr.. Simmons and the balance of the
money necessary for this purchase
must be procured from tax levy.
Because of the cut in valuation and
the natural increase in costs of op-
Grafton in all departments of city gov
eminent, including increases in state
and school taxes, the city will be un-
able this year to give 100000 to the
school building fund as was done last
year. This will help to Offset the de-
crease in taxes which may be raised
by the 81 mill tax levy.
A study of the budget as printed
elsewhere in this paper will show how
the pruning knife was used by the
council and the city manager to keep
expenses down to a minimum and meet
the situation without an increase in
the tax levy and without any curtail-
ment of the development program.
Accompanying the budget was re-
port on the expenses of each depart
ment, copies of which are on file
| in the offices of the city manager for