Evening star., 1952-03-23
Prince Georges
s. Budget Sci
At SIS Million
Commissioners to Ask
2-Cent Cut in Current
$1.98 County Tax Rate

Commissioners yesterday proposed
a record SIS million budget for the
next fiscal year and decided to-
hold hearings on a tentative tax
rate Of $1.98, two cents lower
than the current levy.
The two-cent cut would be
made. even though the proposed
budget for the 1928 fiscal year
beginning July ! is about S. mil
lion higher than the current
budget.
This is possible, Board Presi-
dent Thomas E. Latirner ex-
planned, because Of a ST million
surplus and an increase of about
$54 million ip the county's as
sessable base, due largely to new
industry, businesses and housing :.
$40 Million From Taxpayers.
OF the SIS million total, $40
million will be collected from
county taxpayers and SIS million
will come from State funds and
other sources. County residents
paid 50 million this year and $3|
million came from other sources.
Most of the budget money would
go for operating expenses of the
Board of Education. The COM
miSSionerS appropriated $4.5 mil
lion for schools, with another So. 81
million expected from Federal and
State funds. The appropriation
is over 81 million more than the
school board received this year ;,
but about $4,000 less than it
requested.
Teacher Pay Raise.
Included in the school appropri-
alton would be $500 annual in
crease in teachers salaries.
Other highlights of the pro-
posed budget, which was whipped
into final shape by the all-Repub-
lican board in an oil-burning ses-
sion which did not break up until
3 am. yesterday:
l. A $518.200 appropriation for
the police department, $125 900 of
1t to go for erection of a new po-
lice headquarters somewhere in
the Seat Pleasant area. Police
Chief F. Allen Richards wants to
operate his entire force from the
new headquarters and close the
two present stations at Hyatts-
vile and Upper Marlboro.
Salaries Increased.
The police appropriation in
cludes the salary increases for all
ranks ranging from 5000 to $700
a year. It also provides Is new Of
ficerS, bring the total force, ex-
elusive of civilian employees. to-
81 men.
The commissioners also raised
Chief Richards salary from $500
to $4,000 a year, pointing out That
he did not request it. The police
department is operating this year
on total appropriation of $751;
750.
2. A $4,000 appropriation for a
new county recreation program,
with another $12,61O promised
by the Maryland-N National Capital
Park and Planning Commission.
Called Frivolous.
The commissioner dropped the
recreation pragram a year ago
as frivolous expense and thereby
incurred the wrath of numerous
civic and political groups. The
park and planning commission
conducted a summer recreation
program in suburban Prince
Georges when the county recrea-
ton department went out Of
business last year.
Mr.. Latimer said the commits
sioners agreed to restore a county,
run, year-rouhd recreation pro-
gram after conferences with park
and planning commission officials
who pledged their financial sup
port.
8. An increase in funds for con-
Struction and maintenance of
county roads and bridges from 81
million this year to SIS million.
No Building Budget.
Prince Georges has no capital
budget anticipating costs of con-
structing new public buildings.
Bonds for these projects are sold
as needed. Mr.. Latimer pointed out
that the Board of Education isl
currently building new schools
under SIS million bond issue sold
in January.
Hearings on the proposed budg-|
ct will be held in the courthouse
at Upper Marlboro before the COM
missioners on Tuesday and Friday
at IL am. The first hearing will
cover the school. public works and
public safety items of the budget,
with the remainder scheduled for
consideration Friday.
The budget must be signed by
April 4.
Here Is how the budget breaks
down by general categories:
Tentative 1882