The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1937-09-09
City to Call
for Special
Millage Election
Park and Library Ser
vice to be Curtailed
Unless Funds Increase


Due to decreased valuations, the
City Of Kennewick will be hard
pressed to operate during the COM
ing year unless something drastic Is
done to relieve the situation. The
drastic move seems to be TO auth
orize the city to exceed the fifteen
mill tax levy, which will require a
special election before time for
making the final budgets.
Decreased services for the park,
library, street lights, water service,
police and fire protection will re-
suit il the extra millage fails TO
carry, according to the council,
which had the budget problems UNI
der consideration at their regular
meeting Tuesday evening.
In addition to the above curtail-
ments, the city anticipates a press
ing need in the very near future for
additional services. Extensions OF
street, lights and fire protection will
be required as soon as the Pills
bury Mill starts construction, IL is
figured and under the present very
limited financial situation these i'm
provements cannot be made.
Bonds In Default
Some Of the citys bonded indebt-
edness has been allowed to default
during recent years, due to lack OF
finances, hence the city's credit has
become impaired. To reinstate the
city's credit standing some OF this
Indebtedness must shortly be re-
tired. This will also result In q
substantial reduction in interest
charges now made against the city.
To illustrate the Importance OF
this interest charge, Mayor e. H.
Behrman pointed out that the bond
issue authorized some fifteen years
ago for the purchase OF fire equip
ment has already accumulated six
thousand dollars in interest charges
on q $500 issue.
Special Election
The council voted to call a Spec
ial millage election to authorize an
additional levy of ten mills for city
purposes. The millage will be d.
vided as follows: Two mills for the
city park, one for the library, two
Tor street improvements, one for re-
modelling the city hall and four for
bond retirement and interest.
That additional revenues for
maintenance OF the city's activities
are required was pointed out by the
park board. which protested against
the item for that purpose as shown
IN the preliminary budget. 1t was
pointed out that perhaps no other
city project was used as universally
by SO many people as was the park.
TINS year. with no capital outlay
improvements. the board expended
about twenty-five per cent more
than budgeted for the year. This
debt must be paid out OF next years
budget. which would cut operating
costs still further for 1888. The de-
creased property valuations would
still further reduce the amount al
lowed for park purposes.
Park improvements
The park board plans many i'm
proyements in the near future. ALI
OF which must be discarded, Il was
pointed out, unless the budget be
increased. Indeed, the board de-
clared that with the curtailed
amount. part OF the improved area
might have to be neglected.
The levy. Of course, it was point
ed out by the mayor. is subject to
the wishes OF the citizens. II the
millage is not sanctioned the city
cannot take advantage OF the de-
velopments which seem SO imminent,
many Of the functions OF city gov
eminent will be curtailed, money
already spent on street, library and
park improvements will have been
more or less wasted. II these ad-
vantages are to be retained, Mayor
Behrman pointed out. the council
must have the finances with which
TO operate.
Date for the election has not yet
been set, but arrangements are be-
ing made SO that it can be voted
upon before time for the final bud
gets to be submitted. An especial
appeal viii be made SO that every
citizen can know about the city's
financial problem, SO that a full
expression may be had at the cleo
ton.