Evening star., 1948-03-19
PrinceGeorges
Faces Increase
In Property Tax
$l.95 Rate Seen Rising
To at Least S2.45
Unless Budget Is Cut
By Charles A. McAleer

oy ShofieS A. McAleef
Prince Georges County taxpayers,
who already are paying 40 cents
more per 500 valuation on real
estate than last year, are faced
with an even greater increase on
next years county tax bills.
Unless reductions are made on
the proposed budget, now before
the county's Board of Commission
ers, the tax rate on property will
jump from $1.95 to at least" $2.45,
it was predicted by Commissioner
William A. Carson, president Of
the board. after a public hearing,
on part Of the budget yesterday at.
Upper Marlboro.
A record county budget, totaling
nearly $4,000, 600, is in prospect for
the fiscal year starting July /. If
no cuts are made, according to
Mr.. Carson. The measure will be.
signed by. the commissioners March
30. The l947-8 budget totaled
$2,836,243,
Increased Taxes Sought.
Increased levies sought by the
county engineers office and the
County Board of Education, plus
$287 ,307 more than last year on the
redemption and interest of new
bonds, are responsible for the larger
budget estimate, Mr.. Carson de-
clared.
More than so county residents.
many representing civic and educa-
tional groups, were present during
yesterdays hearing.
The school budget would necessi-
tate 25-cent increase on tax bills.
The Board of Education. reporting
a need for $3,820,435 for the next
years operations, exclusive of new
school construction, requested the
county to PROVIDE 81 1922 ,274, or $328,-
484 over last year. The remaining
amount, 81 ,998, ,161. would come from
State and other sources.
The commissioners, who were told
$50, $50 was cut of the school boards
original request, announced after
the hearing it may be reduced even
more in an attempt to keep. down
the tax rate.
Breakdown of School Costs.
As outlined yesterday, operating
costs for the school board next years
would be broken down as follows:
SLOT 1854 for administrative expenses;
$2,860,061 for teachers and princi-
pals salaries and textbooks; $247,-
450 for janitorial service, fuel and
utilities; $194,550 for building re-
pair and upkeep; $170,300 for
transportation; $22 400 for auxiliary
agencies, including health, school
lunch and other programs; $10,550
for fixed charges, insurance, COM
pensation, and contingencies, and
$207, ITO for capital outlays.
Nc school construction us includ-
ed in the budget since funds for
such work>are provided by the sale
of bonds, School Supt G. Gardner
Shugart explained. The school
budget also does not include ap-
proximately $550,000 which must be
included on the total budget for the
amortization of school bonds, the
sinking fund or interest on bonds.
he added.
The increase, Mr.. Shugart said, is
due to the higher costs of salaries
and materials. The budget includes
$52, 600 for water and sewer facil-
tiles for the new Oxon Hill High
School and $500 for the first time
for transporting parochial school
children on county buses, he added:
The commissioners, who were to
meet today at Upper Marlboro for
the fourth time in as many days for
tax hearings, also were to study a
request submitted late yesterday by
County Engineer Arthur w. Tay-
man for $506,000 for operation Of
his Office and for labor and equip
ment for a countrywide road main
tenance program. The engineers
ONCE last year was allocated $60, $50,
Reactions Differ.
Those present yesterday were told
that most department budgets
would remain the same as the cur
rent fiscal year.
The citizens expressed varied
opinions Of the budget. Members
of the County Real Estate Board re-
ported they were unanimously op-
posed to any tax increase. Members
of the County Council of Parent
Teacher Associations and the Coun-
, ty League of Women Voters said
they favored the increased school
budget. Residents of the Avondale
area asked for additional elemen.
: tary school facilities for their sec.
ton, but were told present plans
, do not include any.
Mr.. Carson said the county hac
, no information at present on what
money it. would receive from the
t State or from increased valuation
on property. Last years tax wal
t based on property values totalinl
e $145, ,381, he said.
e Asserting that the % incorporated
towns and 81 special improvement
districts of the county must shar,
in any expected returns. Mr.. Carsor
said remaining funds, if received
after the budget is approved, woult
lower the tax rate.