Evening star., 1953-03-14
Sill Million
Budget Asked
For Arlington
Would Require
ACCENT Increase
In Tuxine Rates

SN~S
A proposed Sill million budget
for the year beginning July /,
which would require a Accent
increase in real estate and per-
sonal property tax rates, today
was before the Arlington County
Board.
Expenditures for general
county services recommended by
County Manager A. T. Lundberg
yesterday. totaled $9.876, $3.50.
Combined with the proposed
school budget of $7,285.955
recommended by Supt. T. Ed
ward Rutter. a total budget of
$17,162,785 would set a new
record of county spending. The
combined budgets represents an
increase of nearly $2.5 million
over the current years budget.
The budget must be adopted
by May Is. If the budget is ap-
proved in its present form. the
real estate tax rate would jump
from $2.81 per $100 of assessed
valuation to $3.50. The rate on
personal property would jump
from $3.10 to $3.50.
SIS Million Increase.
The School Boards proposal,
an increase of nearly SIS mil
lion over current expenditures,
would require an additional So
cents on the real estate and per-
sonal property tax rates. The
proposed general county budget,
an increase of about 81 million,
would require an additional
Is cents.
An increase of cents in the
water consumption levy, raising
It to 80 cents per 1000 gallons
also is proposed.
"This is a tight budget, re-
stricted to most pressing require
ments," Mr.. Lundberg said in
transmitting the general county
portion of the budget. He warned
that the factors which con-
tributed to increasing county
revenues in recent years have be-
gun tapering off.
To-day Arlington County gov
ernment is finding itself caught
between rising requirements and
stabilizing if not declining -
revenues. These circumstances
prescribe a policy of conservative
budgeting ;" he declared.
Salary Payments Up.
An increase of $400,00O in SAL
ary payments was termed a
major factor in the higher bud
get request by Mr.. Lundberg. OF
this amount, $174,633 for re-
cruitment of 81 new employees,
including IA policemen and eight
f1remen. is budgeted. Another
reason for this increase is the
revised pay plan adopted recently
by the County Board, Mr.. Lund-
berg said.
An item of $51O,10 is budget
ed for capital improvements to
be paid out of current revenues.
OF this $220,804 is the final pay
ment on the new sewage dis
posal facilities to be completed
this year.
Bond issue funds on hand for
capital improvement which will |
be spent in the present fiscal
year will include; 100000 for
storm sewers. $848,975 for street
and sidewalk construction and
S482,000 for park and play
grounds acquisition.
S211,OOO for Bonds.
The total bonded debt for gen.
eral county purposes was report
ed at $7,978,24O. The budget
provides $211,O0O for amortiza-
ton of these bonds.
Total expenditures for the
sewer and water utility opera
tions are estimated at SIG mil
lion. These costs are financed
by water and sewer service
charge based on water consump-
ton. Mr.. Lundberg said the pro-
posed Accent increase in the wa
ter rate is expected to cover the
increased operating costs result
Ing from tn eexpanded sewage
disposal facilities.
Major sources of revenue for
the general county operations
were listed as $3,326,319 from
property taxes, $1,284,635 from
business and professional and
motor vehicle license fees and
other permit and fee charges and
$1,015,40O from Federal and State
payments.
The total assessed value of
real estate is expected to rise
about Sl0.3 million to $283, ,403.-
600. Personal property assessed
value is estimated at 5,802, $40.
Mr.. Lundberg'S recommended
tionS include one that verbatim
reporting County Board meetings
be eliminated in the coming fiscal
year. Verbatim reporting by
stenotypiSt was an innovation
brought about more than a year
ago when a non-partiSan ma
jority controlled the board. This
and elimination of a part-time
clerical position is expected to
save $7,483.
County Authorizes S8,761