Evening star., 1950-06-14
Council IsUrged
Building Plan
Federation Man
Questions Need for
$1.2 Million Item

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A proposal to eliminate $1.2
million from next years Mont
gomery County budget along with
requests for approximately $76, 900
more for three departments was
being studied today by the County
Council.
The recommendations were pre-
sented at a hearing last night in
the Rockville Courthouse, attended
by about IS persons.
The small turnout was in sharp
contrast to budget hearings in
previous years, when as many as
500 citizens appeared to voice their
views.
The council now has before it
County Manager Irving G. Nc
Nayr's recommended budget to-
falling $9,053, ,025 for the fiscal year
beginning July !. He also pro-
posed a Scent increase in the
$1.90 basic county tax and a s.
cent cut in the 20-cent suburban
district levy. The county heads
must reach a final decision by
June 80.
Police Salary Raise Asked.
John T. Moore, representing
the County Civic Federation,
made the proposal to eliminate
the $1.2 million recommended by
Mr.. McNayr for a new county
Office building in Rockville.
Mr.. Moore also requested $32,-
700 more for police salary in
|creases and a transfer from the
capital to the operating budget
Of $50, 600 to be used for a survey
of the county's medical and hos
pital needs.
Representatives Of the League
of Women Voters and lay health
groups urged a $7,820 increase in
the health department appropria-
ton for more public health nurses,
while members of the Juvenile
Court Advisory Committee recon-
mended $6,050 more for the court.
This figure included a 81, 400 SAL
airy increase for the Juvenile
Court judge. He now receives
$500 a year.
In urging the council to delete
the county managers recommen-
dation for a new county office
building. Mr.. Moore questioned
the need for 1t as we'll as it's pro-
posed location in Rockville.
Bond Referendum Urged.
He also proposed a scent in
crease in the basic county levy
and an amendment to the county
charter TO require the county man.
ager to submit his budget recon-
mendations by April /. The pres
ent deadline is May Is. Mr..
Moore claims this prevents civic
groups from making a thorough
study Of the recommendations be-
fore public hearings are held.
Finally, Mr.. Moore recommend
ed that q referendum be held
on all bond issues authorized by
the council.
In supporting a new county
building, Council President Fred
eric P. Lee contended that moth
ing could result in greater eff
cheney of the county government
than getting all functions together
in one location"
Mr.. McNayr also spoke on be-
half of his recommendation
claiming that the need for such
a building is really great"
Mr.. Lee. in taking up Mr.
Moore's other recommendations.
said the drafting of police salary
scale is the responsibility of the
Personnel Board.
"All we can do" he explained.
"is approve or disapprove its
CNOI4IlA1CIIud IlUIlS.
Attorneys Express Doubt.
AS for a mandatory referendum
on bond issues. he told Mr.. Moore
that the county's bond attorneys
had expressed doubt over the
councils authority to include
such a provision in bond legisla-
tion.
He emphasized, however, that
county residents may continue to
petition for referendum, as pro-
v1ded in the charter.
With reference to the proposed
April l deadline for the county
managers budget recommended
tons. Mr.. Lee argued that if such
a procedure were followed, the
county manager would have to
predict what the council would
pass in the way of legislation dur
ing its annual session in May.
And that would be impractical"
M. S. Glueck, Kensington real
estate man, complained about the
lack of county road inspectors