Evening star., 1952-05-20
McNayr Asks
.19-Cent Tax Rise
To Meet Budget
Record Expenditures
Of SIS, ,705 Seen
For Montgomery

capltal budget OF SIS, 1886 ,705 that
would necessitate a 19-cent in
crease in the present $2.O3 basic
tax rate in Montgomery County
was recommended today by
County Manager Irving G. Nc
Nayr.
Mr.. McNayr transmitted his
budget to the county council
meeting in Rockville.
The budget includes $13,262,35e
for operating expenses and $12,-
234,346 for capital projects. The
proposal is nearly II per cent
higher than the current $21.s
million budget.
The county manager reported
the anticipated aSsessable base
would be $474,115,6 $50 as of July /
Assessable Base insufficient.
Although the assessable base
would be some $50 million higher
than this years, he said it would
not provide sufficient additional
tax funds to meet county needs.
Montgomery County is at a
financial crossroads" Mr.. McNayr
wrote in his letter Of transmittal
He said the first years principal
payment on State school loans
borrowed two years ago, falls due
in fiscal 1952-53.
The county will pay off some
81, ,520,310 in debts in the coming
year. This is a $725.143 increase
over this years debt service.
The proposed tax increase would
mean county residents would have
had a 32-cent increase in a two
year period. Hearings on the
County Managers budget will be
held next month.
So Million for Schools.
The lions share of the budget
would go to county schools. Mr.
McNayr proposes So million fo1
the school construction program
some $3.2 million less than asked
by the School Board.
Another $6,432,59 would go to
the schools for operating expenses
some 100000 less than request
led. The board anticipates about
So million additional in State and
Federal funds.
The Department of Public
Works is slated for $1,000, 1895 fo1
operating expenses. Another $2.12
million was proposed for street
and sewer projects.
Mr.. McNayr urged that the Po-
lice Department be increased by
Is men to bring its strength to
ITS men. He proposed $1,000. 1895
for the Department of Public
Safety.
The county manager recon-
|mended the Office of Civil Defense
be abolished. A $4,000 appropri-
alton has been requested by the
office.
Other Items recommended.
Other capital appropriations
recommended were $1,201 ,046 fol
completion Of the county office
building. $4,000 for health
clinic building for the Viers Mil
AREA, $65,000 for the Bethesda
Library Building, $750,000 for the
Silver Spring parking lot program
and $4,000 and $4,000 for the
Wheaton and Montgomery Hills
parking lot programs, respec-
lively.
Mr.. McNayr reported the county
will have an accumulated surplus
of 81, ,256. .126. by July l. He urged
that $637, 400 of the surplus be
fused for road construction anG
$4,000 for completion Of the
county Office building. This would
bring the total cost of the county
building to $1,670,000.
Urges School Loan.
Mr.. McNayr urged the county
to apply for $4.203. 900 available
from State school loan funds fol
construction purposes. This is q
reveral of a recommendation made
last year.
Mr.. McNayr said by using the
surplus funds and the State loar
funds, the county could avoid any
sizeable bond issue for a lone
period of time.
The County Manager proposed
81 900 for an actuarial study o.
the police pension and retirement
system and $4,000 for an economic
base survey.
Mr.. McNayr recommended
against a full-time juvenile cour1
judgeship.
Mr.. McNayr clipped about 5:
million off budget requests o1
county agencies.