Evening star., 1950-12-27
Alexandra Ends
Cigarette Tax,
Cuts Realty Rate
Council Votes Record
$4,831,322 Budget
After SIushes

A 1851 budget that allows a Is
cent reduction in the real estate
tax rate and elimination of the
city'S cigarette tax was adopted
by the Alexandria City Council
last night.
The new budget, which takes
effect the first of the year, calls
for expenditures of $4,831, ,322-a
new high for the city.
The budget is about $15O,O00
below the original amount pro-
posed by City Manager w. Guy
Ancell, but some proposed expen-
ditures we're cut after Mr.. Ancell
and councilmen needed merchants
pleas for repeal of the cigarette
tax.
The 1851 real estate tax rate
is $3.50 per 500 of assessed
valuation. The council also ap-
proved lower professional license
fees, reducing last years rate of
$1.03 to so cents.
Questioned on Cut.
A spokesman for the Alexandria
League Of Women Voters asked
the council to retain the present
real estate tax rate of SITS.
Councilmen were asked how they
could justify a real estate tax
reduction when it would be neces-
sary to borrow about 100000 for
an lncinerator.
Mr.. Ancell replied that origin
ally it was proposed to borrow the
entire $500,000 necessary for the
incinerator, but council had de-
cided to provide part of the cost
from current revenues. About
$125,000 will be supplied from
current revenues in 1851, and
about 100000 will be borrowed,
he said. The rest will be financed
in 1852, he added.
Mr.. Ancell said he favored the
tax reduction because most real
estate tax bills went up last year
after a reaSSessment.
"As long as I'm city manager"
he said, I'm going to give the
property owner every advantage I
can, and I'll continue to do my
best to think up ways of taxing
people who do not now pay taxes"
He estimated about IS per cent
OF the citys population lives in
apartments.
Other Budget Cuts.
In addition to the 100000 that
the council decided to borrow for
the incinerator, other items that
were cut from current expendi-
lures because of the cigarette tax
repeal included: $4,000 from off,
street parking; $4,000 from ex-
tension of the District Home; ST.
600 from the department of public
works; $4,000 from the construc-
ton fund; $4,000 from street
maintenance: $4,000 from the
sanitation department, and S10,-
600 from street cleaning.
The 1851 budget is about $780,
600 above that of the current
year. 1t was possible to increase
expenditures but cut taxes be-
cause of increased assessments,
new assessments and higher re-
funds from State collections be-
cause of the city's higher popula-
tlon recorded last year.
To Transfer Pound.
1t was voted to turn over the
citys new dog pound to the Alex
andria Welfare League for opera
ton for a trial period of six
months. Mayor Franklin P.
Backus is to appoint committee
to work out administrative details
of the switch.
The Veterans Jamboree Asso-
cication asked the Council to dis
continue charging private nom
profit groups for use of the city
recreation department, and to re-
install penny parking meters.
Jasper Mcbride, president of the
group, said his organization would
take legal action against parking
meters unless the plea was given
favorable consideration.
Replying to the first request,
Councilman Roy Bragg said the
city manager had authority to
waive charges for the recreation
hall for non-profit groups that
made application in advance. The
second request of the Veterans
Jamboree was received without
comment.