Culbertson council fixes 1931 tax levies, approves summer water rates and municipal appointments

At its regular sessions in 1931 the Culbertson Town Council enacted multiple fiscal and administrative measures: on Aug. 3 the council adopted a package of resolutions fixing tax levies for 1931; earlier in May it adopted a temporary reduced water rate for the summer months; and during spring meetings the council finalized committee and officer appointments for the municipal year.

Tax levies recorded in the minutes on Aug. 3, 1931 include a sinking-fund levy to meet refunded water bond obligations (29 mills on taxable property), a separate funded-debt levy (15 mills, as recorded in the minutes), a general municipal and administrative levy fixed at 20 mills (authorized by voters in a general election, certified Apr. 13, 1931), and a 5-mill levy for road purposes. The minutes show the general-levy increase was approved by town voters on April 6 (58 for, 30 against) and later certified by the council at a special canvass on April 13.

On May 4 the council adopted Resolution No.58 to encourage lawn and garden watering by temporarily lowering water rates for consumers during May–August 1931: $2.00 for the first 1,000 gallons, $1.00 for the second 1,000 gallons and $0.25 for each succeeding 1,000 gallons used in those months. The measure was presented by Councilman George Cooper and adopted by unanimous vote as recorded in the minutes.

The council also made and approved a set of municipal appointments and standing committee assignments at the May meeting: Town Marshal and Street Commissioner W.F. Wood (salary listed), Water Works Commissioner W.F. Wood, Town Treasurer Hans Smith, Town Clerk W.H. Rucker, and Town Collector Miss Jeannette Brooks. Standing committees for licenses, ordinances, printing, streets and auditing were named and entered in the minutes.

Separately, on July 6 the council authorized the mayor and clerk to execute four promissory notes of $162.50 each (interest 6%) to pay for an Austin grader attachment purchased from the Austin-Western Road Machinery Company; the notes mature in scheduled installments from Jan. 1, 1932 through July 1, 1933.

The minutes consistently record approval of routine vendor claims for street maintenance, water works, lights and administrative expenses during each monthly session and show the council adjourned at year-end after completing regular business.