Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-04-18
Fairfax Group
Hears Massey
Explain Budget
Executive BIumes
Tax Increase on
Abnormal Costs

Fairfax County Executive Carl
ton c. Massey last night said that
his greatest disappointment-in
fact, the only one" since coming
to the county-is the increased
levy that faces Fairfax for the
coming year.
Appearing before the Fairfax
Civic Federation for the first time
since taking Office last March l.
Mr.. Massey told the group an abb
normal rise in costs is to blame.
He said the county's abnormal
growth has placed an unusual
burden on landowners. which can
only be relieved by broadening
the base" of the tax structure.
Meeting in its annual budget
session before the county super
visors' hearing on April %, the
federation was armed with a bar
rage of questions for the new
executive.
Plans Performance Budget.
The first question aimed at Mr..
Massey was repeated later when
the school budget was examined.
Askd if he had plans for present.
ing a fiscal program in more
understandable FORM" Mr.. Mas
sey replied that he hopes to have
a performance budget" prepared
next year. Such a budget, he ex-
planned, would contain fewer fig
'ures and more explanation of how
money was to be spent.
The group also urged the
School Board to draft a detailed,
clear. justified budget" next year
for citizens to consider some time
in advance of hearings. This
years school budget in Arlington
County. it was pointed out, is a
28-page, single-spaced document.
clear and complete for any citi-
zen to understand" But in Fair
fax, members said. "only a hand
ful' of figures was supplied.
Anticipating members objec-
tons to the overall increase in
the record budget. Mr.. Massey
gave several reasons for the rise.
One is the need for improve
ments demanded by population
increase. The county's annual
growth of 10000 to $4,000 is great
er than the total population in
one-third of the States counties,
he said.
New Items Boost Figure.
Other reasons for bigger
budget, he continued, are brand
new items like the 5000 master
plan, and inclusion of such Of
fees as Commemorative attor-
ney, sheriff and assessor, which
are budgeted entirely by the coun-
ty this year. although the State
will refund its share.
Members objections to total
budget figures did not materialize.
however. Instead the federation
approved the school budget and
asked for increases this year and
next in teachers salaries.
Speaking of the "inequitable
tax burden" on real estate and
personal property, Mr.. Massey
said opportunities for broadening
the base" are limited. Some peo-
pie would like to see substantial
head tax" to distribute the load
more widely, he said, but such a
tax is constitutionally limited to
81 per person.
Master Plan May Be Target.
Asked if there was anything in
the budget that he felt is not a
must" Mr.. Massey said he ex-
poets the master plan to be the
likeliest target for criticism. But,
he continued, there is no more
valuable item included. 1t is not
a package" plan, he said, but will.
if adopted. be kept up to date by
county employees for continuing
use. Such plan was needed
here years ago." he added.
In approving the school budget,
the school committee cited figures
obtained from the Census Bureau
on the income level in Fairfax
County. The median income for
the Nation is $2,989. For Virginia
it is $2,172 and for Fairfax County
it is $3,446. Committee members
said this showed the county can
afford to pay for good schools.
The federation also asked for
an independent check on school
building costs Ito see if we're
getting our moneys WORTH"