Imperial Valley press., 1924-02-06

age of water, the directors and
their manager should be held
responsible, the report remarks.
Twelve Recommendations
The conclusions drawn by the
Jury Us a result of the invcstiga-
tion Of the district are:
First-That there is not now,
ana has not been for years. any
real definite business policy in II
rigation District affairs, either 10y
the board Of directors or Is co.
gineey managers.
I Second-That there is not now,
and has not been for years, any at-
+~-'~- - economy along any line
md that the welfare of the tax
.,,...l1 4. never considered.
! In order to remedy these condi-
tions, the jury makes the following
recommendations:
First.-That the directors eth
cr change their methods or resign,
and that if they will do neither,
the reeal! or some method be start
ed to eject them from office.
"'Second.-That they, or their
successors, reorganize adminstra-
tioE and operation methods along
the line that would be followed by
ANY successful corporation in at
tempting 10 straighten out former
bad conditions.
'Third-That in order to
bring about such re-orgamza-
ton they endeavor. at the
earliest possible moment, to
find and appoint manager
with the experience and ability.
twho shall not necessarily be
an engineer) who is capable of
taking charge of the affairs of
the district and placing them
on firm business foundation,
and one who can grasp in some
degree, the taxpayers point
Of view.
'Fourth-That the directors
henceforth live up to and fol-
low the letter and spirit of the
law and that they shall enforce
III all departments the most
rigid economy, consistent with
the greatest efficiency.
Fifth.-That all unnecessary
supplies and equipment, etc, be sold
and that no further expenditures be
made. along this line without the
most rigid Investigations as to ab.
solutc requirements.
"Sixth.-That henceforth all
heads of departments in offices and
elsewhere be under the direct con
troll of the directors and account
able to them.
Turn in Money Daily
"Seventh.-That the tax colIec-
toc be compelled during tax collect
ing time to turn over to the treas
urer each day his collections or
that he be required to- furnish
bond in proportion to the amount
of money kept in his possession.
Ole is now under bond of only
$4,000, notwithstanding he fre-
quently has in his possession
up to $500,000.)
Eighth.-That the directors ap-
point an attorney at salary some
where within reason, and one who is
able to give advice that win keep
The district OUT Of lawsuits, in.
stead of involving it IN them.
Nillth.-That all salaries be cut
down to where they belong, and
hat the number of employees in
each and every" department be cut
down in number to where they
should be.
"Tenth.-That an annual inyen-
tory be made of all property and
equipment, supplies, etc. including
real estate and improvements.
Eleventh. That steps he taken
for the consolidation Of
various offices in the Irrigation
District itself, and prepared for in.
PRODUCTION in the next legislature
whereby many Irrigation District
offices can be consolidated with
county offices, thereby eliminating
enormous costs.
"Twelfth.-That the assessor and
directors see to it that real estate
values he equalized in the cities
md in the county and placed on a
basis that is fair and just to all
alike and that some arrangement
be worked out, whereby property
unjustly assessed this year may
have the taxes proportionat"iy
lowered for next year.
Action has already been taken
by the grand jury instructing the
district attorney to bring SUITS as
he may deem necessary to collect
all money of whatsoever nature
that has been illegally expended.
We also recommend that the
sue cec ing grand jury 90
further into the matter of possible
illegal transactions in tie selling of
district bonds below par"
Regarding Municipalities
Investigation of the several muni.
cipal organizations of Imperial
county has been confined largely TO
examination of audits and city
clerk reports. Brawley expended for
the year 1928 $4,000 less than
for 192l-22 and Calexico $4,000 less
during the same period. FL Centre,
however, increased its expenditures
by $4,000.
With an assessed valuation con
siderably in excess of Calexico, and
double that Of Brawlcy, the report
states, that the cost Of municipal