Evening star., 1947-04-01
Prince Georges
Budget 10 Raise
Taxes 40 Cents
Bosic Rate increased
From 81. S. to $1.95
Per 500 Valuation
By Chorles A. McAIeer

~ $bB0HiSS ~. tVtSSNASSt
A Accent increase per 500 valu-
alton on real esttae will be included
on tax bills Of Prince Georges
County property owners this year as
q result.of a $2,836, ,243 levy by the
county commissioners for the 1947-
48 fiscal year.
The budget, which will raise the
county's basic tax rate from $1.55 to
$195, was signed yesterday at Upper
Marlboro. It will become effective
July /. The total amount repre-
eents an increase of $242, $40 over
fhe current year.
Reductions from original budget
and the use of $147,717
from surplus funds and anticipated
receipts from State and other
sources for II items, which other
wise would have been included in
the budget proper, were credited
with holding the increase to 40 cents
per 500 valuation, 1t was an
nounced.
Below Prediction.
Last week, a spokesman for the
Board of Commissioners predicted
a tax rate increase of from so to SIS
cents.
According to william A. Carson,
chairman of the board, the budget
would total $2,9e3 $50 If the surplus
funds had not been available. Be-
sides this savings, he said, an in
crease in the assessed valuation by
about $500 900 over last year aided
in limiting the tax rate addition.
The tax rate Is based upon an as
sessed valuation OF property and util-
tiles totaling $145,448, ,381, he added.
The board chairman said the in
crease was primarily due to things
asked for by the people of the
county" He cited as an example
the school budget and increases in
salaries, many of which we're neces-
sary as the result of the discontinue
ance of 5000 bonuses provided as a
wartime measure.
Halls Department Heads.
"The commissioners feel it Is a
wonderful budget" he declared. "We
are fortunate in being able to keep
the rate at the point it is. The
heads of different departments OF
the county are to be congratulated
on holding down expenses as much
as they have.
Included in the tax rate are
cents for the Public Library sys-
tenn and l cent towards aid to de-
pendent children. Mr.. Carson said
Both assessments are authorized
by the State. A total of $29, 9,089 is
allocated to the library system and
$14,544 to the children's aid pro-
gram.
Largest single grant is one fol
81 ,493, 100 for the county school
system. This marks an increase
of less than $4,000, but actually
provides for all the Board of Edu-
cation requested last week when
it submitted budget request to-
falling $1,861, 1850, Mr.. Carson said
An increase in the teachers salary
scale by the State resulted in the
saving, he said.
Six Items Added.
Six items, including $2l5,00C
grant to the county police depart
ment and trial magistrate courts
which were financed through sur
plus funds this year. and five new
ones, including $145,448 for con-
struction of new county roads and
$4,000 for retirement of county
employees, have been added to the
budget, taking most of the increase
he said.
Two departments, which had re-
quested large increases, failed tc
receive them. They were the Coun-
ty Welfare Board and the County
Health Department. The Welfare
Board, which sought $152, ,448, was
allocated virtually the same as last
year-about $4,000 less than its
request The Health Department
which asked for $54,833, received
$35 ,0O0-the same as last year.
1--WE haven't been able to give
additions as far as requested" Mr.
Carson said in explanation. ''The
commissioners. have made a con-
certed effort to give increases to q
point where we believe the public
can and is willing to pay"