Evening star., 1952-11-21
New Revenue
Sources. Sought
McNoyr DiscIoses
Studies to Guide
Plea to Assembly

sSO ~ NSSSusDty
Montgomery County officials will
again seek new sources of revenue
when the General assembly meets
next year, according to County
Manager Irving G. McNayr and
Councilman George Nesbitt.
The latest move to seek new
taxing powers was disclosed last
night at the windup of the County
League of Women Voters County
Government School.
Mr.. McNayr also revealed that
studies are underway of potential
revenue sources that might be
sought. He said they included a
special occupancy tax on renters.
levies on utility bills paid by con-
sumers and taxes on soft drinks
and tobacco products.
Sees $3.50 Chance.
The county manager added that
he thinks the county's delegation
to Annapolis has a $3.50 chance
of getting some type of new taxing
Legislation through the Assembly.
Twice previously such attempts
have failed.
The disclosure that the studies
are being made by Finance Direc-
tor Alex Hancock came after Mr..
Nesbitt had warned it would be
tragic fer the county to reck-
lessly increase the tax burden now
on real estate.
Real estate can be made to
stand much higher taxes than
now" Mr.. Nesbitt said, "but it
would be tragic for any council
to go ahead recklessly and with
out the utmost caution"
II fear that (if the burden were
increased sharply new owners
INould have to pay the taxes be-
cause many present owners can
not" He warned many farmers
would be forced to subdivide and
other persons with fixed incomes
would have to sell their homes.
Last nights discussion was
aimed at what county services are
desired by residents and how the
services are to be paid for.
Mr.. Nesbitt urged residents and
Officials to discriminate between
services which should be provided
by the county and those which
could be better handled by some
one other than the Government"
Sees Budget Expansion.
Townsend Wainwright, former
financial consultant to the county.
last night said the county's bor-
rowing limitation was sound ard
that taxes on real estate in Mont
gomery were lower than those in
most other comparable areas.
He warned residents that the
population influx and need for ex-
panded services would force the
county to continue its budget ex-
pansion "for some time to come"
Mr.. Wainwright made a survey
of the county's financial struc-
ture during the first councils term
of office. He said that the county
manager-council form of govern
ment, generally speaking, was no
costlier than other forms.
He supported Mr.. McNayr's as
sertion that Montgomery County
was held UP as a model govern
Iment throughout the country. Mr..
McNayr said the county had made
great strides in the past and would
make even more.
Asked where economies could be
effected, Mr.. McNayr replied
through continuing studies of the
efficiency in operation of present
services and the soundness of pro-
posed new services.
Il would be the last to say that
every department was being oper-
lated efficiently and soundly," Mr..
McNayr said.
Mr.. Nesbitt said he favored
bringing industry into the county
"only on the basis of a balanced
situation" He warned that some
industry could cause tremendous
expense for the county.
Not Certain Answer.
New industry is not necessarily
the answer to our revenue prob
lem," he added.
Thomas S. Jackson, president
Of the school board, pointed out
that although the county appro-
priated $6,563,0O0 for operation
Of the school system, $6,646,0
alone was spent on instructional
services. He said the rest of the
money came from the State and
Federal governments.
William E. Roger, director of
welfare. told the audience II
shudder at the cost of filing the
gap" between needs and services
in the health, welfare and mental
hygiene fields.
County officials were warned by
Mrs. Ralph Himstead, Moderator
OF the discussions. that residents
had to be informed of the prog
ress made in the, county. She
pointed out there were $1,000 new
registered voters this year who do
not know how conditions today
compare with those under the
commissioner form of government
Of few years ago.