The Washington times., 1937-04-17
N0CHANGE DUE
IN C0UNTY'S
TAX RATE

ROCKVILLE, Nd, April IT.
Montgomery County's present tax
rate Of $3.50 per each 500 assess
ment will in all probability remain
the same during the 1898 fiscal
year beginning July /, despite con-
templated increased expenditures
in several county departments, it
was learned here today.
While it is expected that the ex-
penditureS in the police. health
and educational departments will
increase materially over last year,
Commissioner Paul M. Coughlan
predicted today that the increase
in the county's asseSsable basis
and SURPRISES remaining in appro-
priationS made to some depart
ments last year, will be sufficient
to offset the raise in expenditures.
Liquor Surplus Large
One Of the largest SURPRISES will
exist in the Liquor Control Board,
Coughlan said, where last year the
commissioners, in the budget item
listed as Contemplated receipts"
allowed for q net profit during the
year of $4,000. This profit will
nearly reach the 500, 900 mark, he
said. This surplus according to
law, however, may only be used for
interest and retirement Of school
bonds, according to the commits
Sioner.
A year ago the commissioners
levied for 1858, 210 for school opera.
ton costs during the 1936-S7 year,
and then provided for nearly $780,.
600 from the general levy for debt
service. This year Coughlan said
he would fight to have the latter
item included in the school budget,
which is submitted to the Commits
Sioners by the school authorities
and which they are without au-
thorization to alter in any way.
Due to the fact that several ad-
ditional teachers will have to be
hired to conduct new schools now
nearing completion in the county,
and in view of the fact that a move
is now on foot to increase the sal
aries Of all county teachers to a
basis comparable with the
schedule in effect in Washington,
Coughlan said he believed there
would be a large increase in the
school budget for this year.
The police department which re-
quired q levy Of $4,000 for its OPP
Grafton during 1936-37, is also in
line for an increase, since the State
legislature provided for increasing
the salaries of all members Of the
force including the chief, from
$500 to $500 each per year.
Chief j. William Garrett Of the
police department has pointed out
to county officials the need Of addi-
tional and more modern equip
ment as q means Of increasing the
efficiency Of the department. It
is believed that provisions for car
rying out at least a part of this will
be made in this years budget.
Health Increase
A far smaller increase is con.
templated in the health depart
ment, where the need of additional
nurses and equipment has been
stressed for some time by DR.. v.
L. Ellicott, county health officer.
In citing additional assets to
offset the contemplated expendi.
lures Coughlan said he believed
that the asSeSsable basis Of the
county, which last year was ap.
proximately 100000, has in.
creased this year by at least
four million dollars in real prop.
erty alone. A smaller but com.
parable increase is expected in the
personal property and securities
division, he said.
For comparison the Commits.
Sioner cited the fact that during
1886 the personal property basis
nearly doubled over the proceed.
ing year. Figures for 1885 were
$2,683, 1875, while in 1885 they were
$5,704,405 There has also been
large increase in the value of
stocks, bonds and other taxable
securities, he said.