Evening star., 1950-11-18
Reduction Of 15Cents
In Alexandra Realty
Tax Rate Proposed
BY Mary Lou Werner

~ NNiy Iou VStHSt
A l5-cent cut in the Alexandria
real estate tax rate was proposed
by City Manager w. Guy Ancell
In submitting his 1851 budget to
the City Council today.
The reduction is made possible
largely through a surplus of $514,-
622 10 be carried over from 1850.
The proposed 1851 budget of $4,-
981 1922 is the highest in the city's
history and about 100000 above
this year.
The proposed 15-cent cut in
the present tax rate of $2.75 per
$l00 OF assessed valuation is the
first real estate tax reduction Of
fered in the Virginia city in many
years. The budget also contem-
plates a reduction from $1.03 to
so cents for the tax rate imposed
on professional occupations.
The budget can be revised be-
fore final adoption by the end of
this year.
No New Taxes Proposed.
No new taxes are proposed for
1851, but it is planned to retain
the cigarette tax of two cents per
pack that the city adopted in the
middle OF this year.
The surplus includes about
100000 the city collected in real
estate taxes above expectations:
about $4,000 in personal prop
erty taxes above expectations; an
excess collection of about $4,000
in delinquent personal Property
taxes; a $248,150 contribution to
the city from the so-called
Battle" school fund of the State,
and an under-expenditure of
about $85,0o0 for capital improve
mentS during 1850.
The new $3.50 real estate tax
rate is expected to bring in an
estimated $2,106,O00. Other ma
Jor sources of income are listed
as 100000 from personal prop
erty taxes: $150.000 from cigarette
tax; $4,000 general business Ii
censes, and $135, 900 from the Fed
eral-State welfare fund.
Revenue of $2I5,O0O-nearly
double the amount collected this
year-is expected from Alcoholic
Beverage Control Board money.
This is because the 1851 payments
from this fund will be based on
the city's new census.
Major Increases i'm Costs.
The major increase in expenses
for 1851 is accounted for by pro-
posed capital improvements of
$4,000. These include a S75,0
swimming pool for colored; SIS
600 for Improvements at the white
swimming pool; $225, 900 to pay
half the cost of an incinerator-
the remainder to be paid out of
the 1852 budget; $55,000 for new
court rooms and law library;
$25. 900 for an addition at the
District Home; $25, 900 for parking
areas, and sums for street, recre-
alton and storm sewer improve
ments.
All Of the capital improvements
had been recommended by the
Planning Commission. In addition,
the Planning Commission had rec
commended $550,000 for enlarging
she city jail and relocating police
headquarters; $4,000 for a fire
department repair shop and $6O,-
00c 70 cover Hooff's Run. In his
budget message to the council, Mr..
Ancell points out that he has
omitted some of the Planning Com
missions recommendations and
asks the councilmen to give the
matter careful study.
Mr.. Ancell says the budget also
allows 5 per cent salary increases
for all city employees, with few
exceptions. The appointment of
a director of finance at $500 an
nually is proposed. The budget t
also discloses that it is planned to {
appoint the present city auditor, |
w. M. Topping, as the city's first
purchasing agent. s
1t is proposed to give the schools Y
the full amount requested from {
the city-$1,212,515.16.