The Wyandotte news-herald. (Wyandotte, Mich.) 1943-1963, 1945-07-16


the general fund of the city into
the electric light and water fund
thereof, the sum shown by the
statement referred to as that which
the city would have to pay if it
were purchasing water or current
from a privately owned public serv-
ice corporation, it would seem that
elsewhere in the charter would be
found provisions governing the man.
ner of auditing and allowing bills
for such services by the council and
the manner of the payment of such
bills by the necessary transfer Of
funds. We note that all such pro-
visions are conspicuous by their
/ absence.
We believe that the provisions OF
the charter we have quoted are open
| to the construction that the purpose
of the statement therein mentioned
is merely for information to the
council from which that body may
IA
conditions surrounding the public
utilities, whether or not it is oper-
ating at a profit, and whether or
not it is necessary for any moneys
/ TO be raised by taxation for the
support OF such utilities.
| We understand that as a matter
of fact the public utilities in queS-
ton are being operated at sub
stantial profit and that a subStan-
tial balance has accumulated in the
electric light and water fund in the
City of Wyandotte If it is to be
held that the City of Wyandotte in
effect must pay to itself the amount
it would actually cost to buy water
or current from private producers
thereof, it would result presently
in the transfer Of approximately
s75, 900 per annum from the general
fund to the electric light and water
fund, which latter fund already con-
tains a large balance for which no
present use exists.
We do not believe that in the
absence Of a specific provision of
the charter, definitely and in terms
requiring such transfer, it should be
done. We see nothing in the charter
justifying such a burden upon the
taxpayer in order to increase the
size of a fund which is already over
grown and which must lie dormant
apparently until some ch arter
amendment permits its more prac-
teal use.
Accordingly, we are of the opinion
that there is grave doubt as to the
propriety of any charge to the city
by the Municipal Service Commits
sion for electric light and water
service furnished to the city until
such time as the necessity for such
charge arises out of the financial
condition of the utilities. Certainly
there would be no justification at
present for the transfer for anything
more than a nominal amount from
the general fund Of the city TO the
electric light and water fund on the
theory that the sum so transferred
was in payment Of the cost TO the
city of light and water furnished
to it by it's own utilities.
Yours very truly,
John r. Dethmers.
Attorney General
BY F. o. Eldred.
Deputy Attorney General
Received and placed on file;
Copy to Municipal Service
Commission
Monthly statement of the County
Treasurer il settlement for the
month of March l945. showing bal
ance in favor of the city in amount
of sl81418.
Received and placed on file.
Report of permits issued by the
Engineering Department and moneys
received therefor in amount Of
S27145, during the month of June
1945, submitted by the City Engineer,
F. w. Liddle.
Received and placed on file.
Report Of fines, fees and costs col
lected, together with all cases dis
posed Of, as Of June 80, 1915; fines
in amount of sS23.75, submitted by
the Court Clerk
Received and placed on file
Copy of minutes of meeting of
Recreation Commission, held June
26, 1s45.
Received and placed on file.
4 Copy of minutes of the meeting of
the Pension Commission of the City
of Wyandotte, held June u, 1945.
Received and placed OH file.
Recess
Recovering
Roll Call
Present: Courcilmen Benin, Brohl.
Burke, Kelly. 2-ason, Rouse.
Absent None.
Resolutions
Wyandotte, Michigan
July 10, 1915
Resolution by Councilman Harry G.
Rouse.
Resolved by the City Council Of
the City of Wyandotte that Chapter
IA, Blue Star Mothers, be and said
organization hereby is granted per-
mission TO sell tags on the streets OF
the City of Wyandotte, under dates
of July 81 and August /, in accord
ance with the request of said Chap
ter as expressed in the communica-
ton Of its secretary, Mrs. G. Asel-
tine, under date of July z.
ENp CAT