Evening star., 1950-03-09
Asks
5Mi||ion Budget
For Arlington
Present Fund Tax Rote
Proposed With zoe
Boost in School Levies

A S512 million budget to cover
general county expenses in Ar
lington in the next fiscal year was
proposed last night by County
Manager A. T. Lundberg.
Mr.. Lundberg's proposal, en-
bracing all governmental activi-
ties except education, calls for
continuing the present general
fund tax rate of $1.80 per 500 Of
assessed valuation. He presented
the suggested S5.552,721 budget to
the County Board last night.
Mr.. Lundberg also transmitted
the proposed School Board budget
of $3,705.190. which calls for a
20-cent increase in the present
$1.65 tax rate allocated to schools.
Under Virginia law the County
Board sets both tax rates and
fixes the total budget figure for
schools. The School Board, how
ever, may spend it's money as it
sees fit, within the total allo-
Gated.
Hearing Next Week.
A public hearing on the pro-
posed school budget will be held
at 8 pm. next Thursday in the
Thomas Jefferson Junior High
School.
The County Board last night
set a public hearing on the entire
budget for 8 pm. March q in
the courthouse.
Mr.. Lundberg, in submitting his
budget, said that "in order to
maintain the present tax rate of
$1.80 for the general fund, many
vital projects have not been in
cluded in this budget"
Additional funds should be
available, he predicted, for the
1872 budget. A local reassess-
ment of property and a realloca-
ton Of State funds based on the
1850 census were among the fac
tors in Mr.. Lundberg's estimate Of
greater revenues for 1872.
A sum of $85, 900 is included in
a contingent fund for salary
adjustments The manager said
a review of the salary scale is
underway and will be available
to the County Board for considera.
ton before the budget is adopted.
10 New Policemen Authorized.
General expenditures can be
increased approximately $4,000
without rise in the general fund
tax rate, the manager explained,
because of an increase in assessed
evaluation and because sewer
service will no longer be supported
by the general fund.
The proposed budget is based on
an assessed evaluation Of $148,-
665 ,594 and on collection of 95
per cent of taxes. Current valua-
ton is approximately $136, ,000, 900.
The sewer service charge will not
represent increased utility costs
to users. Water rates will be re-
duced 16 per cent, while a sewer
charge Of the same percentage Of
the water bill is added.
Operation of the sewer system,
instead of being dependent on the
general fund for revenue, would be
self-sustaining. The reduction in
water rates is possible, according
to Mr.. Lundberg, because indebt-
edness has been reduced.
Among new personnel author
lied by the proposed budget are 10
policemen. f1remen and an ad-
ministrative assistant in the Office
OF the county manager. Addi-
tional inspectors will be employed
in the building, electrical, plumb
ing, highway and health depart
ments.
Sum Set Aside for Fire Station.
A sum of $29,850 is set aside as
a partial ALLEGATION for the estab-
lishment of new fire station at
an undetermined location in the
southern part of the county.
Revenues for the general fund
would be derived principally from
local taxes, estimated at $2,646,-
681. Other local sources would
bring in S1.828,486 ....-
The, State and Federal Govern
ments are expected to contribute
|$793. 1858.
Profits from the Alcoholic Bey-
erage Control Board are estimated
at 5000, gasoline taxes, $685.
IT'S. and Virginia public assistance
grants, $164,080.33.