Evening star., 1935-06-07
80 T061 CENT RISE
IN LEVY IS FACED
IN MONTGOMERY.
Tentative Estimates Given
as Board Hopes to Hold
Total to $1.40.
HALF-D0LLAR INCREASE
SEEN VIRTUALLY SURE
New Items May Add to Assess
able Total Before Bulge
Is Adopted.
BY JACK ALLEN,
Stan Correspondent OF The Star.

ROCKVILLE, Md. June 7-While
tentative figures indicate Montgomery
Countys general tax rate will soar
from 80 cents to S1.51 for the fiscal
year beginning July /, It was learned
today the county commissioners Will
endeavor to hold the new levy to ap-
proximately $1.40.
Present estimates. subject to
changes during the budget confer
ences that have been opened by the
board, place the appropriations for the
forthcoming year at sl.633,362 vi,
which would necessitate 6l-cent In
crease over the current rate OF 9O
cents on the 500 assessment.
1t Is hoped, however, that reduc-
tions in the ALLEGATIONS. coupled with
revenue to be derived from new prop
erty due to be entered upon the assess
ment books before the levy is signed
will enable the commissioners to limit
the increase to about so cents.
Tentative Basis $1o4.113.s5o.
The 61-cent increase which looms
at this time is based by County Ac-
countant Alexander Hancock on the
new assessable basis of s104, ,113 $50
an increase of $677, 800 over the final
figures on the assessable basis for this
fiscal year. A number of items yet to
be entered on the books will raise the
basis somewhat before the budget is
adopted.
The new basis includes S8l ,997 .875
for real property and the remainder Is
represented by securities. automobiles,
corporation shares. ordinary business,
non- stocks, bank shares and savings
banks.
Appropriations tentatively agreed
upon to meet the county's operating
expenses during the new year repre-
sent an increase of S76S.634.92 over
the ss67, ,72799 allocated in the ls34-5
budget, Hancock said.
Appropriation Boosts Explained.
Hancock attributed the increase
principally to the difference In the
amounts to be raised to meet interest
charges on bonds. operation expenses
of the county school system, the man
ner in meeting salaries of certain
county employees and the employment
Of the seven additional policemen pro-
vided for by the State Legislature.
He pointed out that the county
anticipated assistance from the State
gas tax in meeting bond interest
charges this year and levied only
s678l9.53 for this purpose. However,
bo old tho old uoS pnf fort rthron1in0
and the board. not expecting any help
from the gas tax next year, is forced
to levy s481.835.l3.
In addition. he explained, the
School Board has requested s604.736
for the new year, whereas the schools
cost the county only s444.771.50 this
term. The increased strength in the
police force necessitates the alloca-
ton Of an additional $4,000 to that
department.
Past Salaries Not in Budget.
Discussing the method of meeting
the salaries of certain employees. Han
cock said that formerly a large por-
ton of the appropriation for this ex-
pense was taken from fees levied In
connection with tax sales and we're
not included in the budget.
The entire amount must be levied
for in the budget this year. however.
for the fees were reduced by the re-
cent State Legislature, and funds for
salaries will not be available from that
source In the future, he declared.